Chapter 4
Kakashi jolted awake from his spot on the floor while the door he was leaning against was lightly tapping on his back. He stood up quickly and Sakura peered out looking at him sheepishly. "Sorry, you wouldn't wake up when I called your name or knocked so I used the door." She grinned as she emerged from her room in her normal clothes. Kakashi rubbed the nape of his neck looking down at the floor.
"It's fine. It was my fault anyway. I'm gonna go get washed up. Genma should be here in a few minutes anyway so you can walk with him to the training room and I'll meet up with you guys when i'm done." Kakashi stated as he was backing up to head for his room and wash up. Sakura nodded and watched Kakashi as he left. She didn't wait long for Genma to show. He was at her door in less than ten minutes.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Genma asked as Sakura nodded her head. Genma led the way to the training grounds. When the duo made it to the entryway leading outside to the training grounds, Genma stopped walking. "You should change so you don't get your clothes dirty." He said as he pointed to the rack of assorted black clothing behind him. Sakura grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top from the rack. Sakura went to change while Genma waited for her. Sakura came out and the shorts were thigh length, her tank top was loose and had thin straps. Genma's smile faltered when he saw her covered in bruises. He cleared his throat and led her to the center of the training grounds. Sakura tied her hair up in a high loose ponytail. "Ready?" Genma asked as he got into a fighting stance. Sakura spread her legs and raised her fists. Genma chuckled. He walked to Sakura and fixed her stance then got into position once again. "Come at me with the intent to kill." He ordered. Sakura ran at him. She threw punches and kicks but it didn't hurt him. Her strength wasn't much. They flew at each other, Sakura trying to hit him but failing while Genma dodged easily. Sakura was attempting to kick Genma in the head but she heard someone clear their throat and turned to face the sound. Genma caught her foot and threw it down knocking her off balance. Kakashi came into full view.
"Tsk, tsk. You should never let your guard down when fighting. Try to stay focused on you opponent but aware of your surroundings." Kakashi scolded. "Let's try ninjutsu." Sakura showed off the little skills she has with water and earth release. Her yin and yang release were also demonstrated. Sakura proved well against Genjutsu. Kakashi went against Sakura in taijutsu. He let her come at him and easily dodged her attacks. He attacked her but his hits weren't normal strength. They traded kicks and punches. Kakashi threw a punch and Sakura evaded by flipping backwards kicking him in the face as she went. Kakashi stepped back, regaining his composure. He laughed and stood up. "That was good, you did well." Kakashi complimented as he dusted himself off.
Genma yawned. "Well Sakura, you have to go to your medical training now so we'll see you later. Your instructor is going to be Tsunade. She might be in the dining hall so you should look there." He instructed as he and Kakashi made their exit leaving Sakura to find her instructor.
TWO YEAR GAP
Sakura continued her training and got stronger. She's at the point where she was in the anime when the war ended. Her, Genma, Kakashi, and Naruto have all gotten closer. Sakura is now in the anbu and Sasuke, Menma, and Shikamaru are still their devious selfs. Sakura is now 18 and Kakashi is 20 and so is Genma. Naruto, Menma are 19 and Sasuke and Shikamaru are also 19. They have been sent out on tons of A ranked missions. Naruto had to reprimand Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Menma many times cause they continued to try and get at Sakura but Kakashi has helped her and Sakura has been able to defend herself better. Also for shinobi the legal drinking age will be 18. Also Sakura has had certain private training done without anyone's knowledge but the King and her teacher.
Sakura was walking past the throne room door when the King's assistant poked his head through the door looking from side to side. He spotted Sakura and yelled for her. She turned to face him and showed a small smile as he motioned for her to come in the room. Sakura obliged and entered the room kneeling before King. The King stood and lowered his hand for Sakura to take. She stood looking at the King. He led Sakura to a private room and motioned for her to sit in the empty chair. The King leaned against the wall thinking for a moment. "King Minato, may I ask, what is it you wanted to see me about?" Sakura questioned as she fumbled with her hands interrupting Minato's train of thought.
"Oh no please call me Minato. I, well how do I put this? I wanted to speak with you about well yourself." Minato explained. Sakura's brows furrowed. "I just wanted to see how your getting along in the Anbu. Your actually the first female to be in the Anbu but obviously it's because of your talent and abilities. Speaking of which, it's also to protect you in a way." Minato stated as he put his hand to his chin. "But I am curious, I heard that your clan had power absorption as their kekkei genkai. Is it true? Can you do that?" Minato questioned curiously. Sakura stood from her chair and came close to Minato who was still against the wall. She reached forward moving his hair from his face. She brought her lips to his ear.
"Why don't you try and find out?" She purred as Minato chuckled awkwardly. Sakura pressed her lips against his. Minato was shocked but didn't pull away. Sakura licked his bottom lip, begging to explore his mouth and he let her in. Minato's hands ran along the sides of her body before he realize what he was doing. He pulled away and ran a hand through his hair.
"Sakura, that's not appropriate or allowed. I am the King." Minato cleared his throat. " So can you answer my question about using power absorption?" He asked. Sakura smiled innocently as she looked at Minato.
"Go ahead, try to do the rasengan." Sakura urged. He raised an eyebrow at Sakura before sighing and attempting to do a small rasengan since they were inside the palace. Minato started to get frustrated as he couldn't perform the technique. Minato keep shaking his hand as if it would make the rasengan appear. Sakura sighed to herself as she got annoyed. "Obviously the power absorption works if you can't do it, my King." Sakura sneered as she perform the rasengan with no issue. Minato looked at his hand before bursting into laughter.
"Oh right that makes sense. Does it only work when you kiss people?" Minato questioned. Sakura's cheeks flushed a light pink.
"No, it works if I just touch someone too but it doesn't always work." Sakura explained while Minato nodded understandingly.
"Well at least for the most part you got a grasp on it so that's good. Come with me." Minato ordered as he left the room with Sakura in tow. He led her down several corridors before stopping in front of double doors leading into the briefing room. Minato opened the door, letting Sakura enter first before following. He stood at the head of the table and smiled at the other faces in the room.
"Hello everyone. I have gathered you all here because there is a mission I want you all to go on. Kakashi, you will be the one in charge. Naruto, Menma, you are to follow Kakashi's orders at all time. Genma, you will be providing backup for Kakashi, same goes for you, Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke you are also to protect Sakura. Sakura, your main role will be as a medic so don't fight unless absolutely necessary. Shikamaru, you are to go to assist Naruto and Menma and to be the brains during battle if necessary. Understood, everyone?" Menma looked around the table as he got acknowledgements from everyone. "Good. You are dismissed." He said as he handed Kakashi a folder before letting him leave.
Kakashi's POV
I trudged down the hallway as I glanced at the folder in my hands. I cracked it open as I peered inside of it. As I read its contents, I sighed. We have to leave very soon. I ran a hand through my hair as I caught a sight of Tenten turning the corner walking towards me with a stack of white towels in her hands. I jogged over to her and grab some towels from her. "Oh no, you don't have to do that,I Captain Kakashi." Tenten assured me but I still held on to the towels I held.
"I don't mind. What's with the Captain thing? You don't have to call me that. Just Kakashi is fine Tenten." I pointed out as I walked beside her. A light blush formed on her cheeks.
"I- it's just well I thought that since we haven't t-talked in a while, well I t-thought we were just you know back to being a-associates after what happened." Tenten stuttered. I laughed awkwardly. It's been so long since that happened. I almost forgot about it.
"Tenten, we're friends. We got carried away. Sorry I didn't talk much with you, I just been busy that's all." I explained. We finally got to the closet and put the towels away. I smiled at Tenten before departing to get my mission's bag packed. I knew I had to also talk to my team to let them know when we're leaving and what the aspects of the mission are.
Kakashi walked to his room bumping into Gemma along the way. Genma smirked when he saw Kakashi. "Hey buddy, what are you doing?" Genma asked casually. Genma slung his arm over Kakashi's shoulders pulling him closer to him. Kakashi glanced at him before sighing. "Getting packer for the mission, which you should be doing too." Kakashi answered dryly. Genma pouted as his arm dropped from Kakashi's shoulders.
"That's no fun. Let's go to the bar." Genma groaned. Kakashi shrugged his shoulders as he let Genma lead him to the bar where all the soldiers went. Kakashi let a passing hand maid tell the others to pack their bags tonight. Genma and Kakashi entered the bar and sat at the table in the back. The lights were low and the music was blaring. Everyone was either talking, drinking, or dancing. The two men order their drinks as Genma blabbed on about this encounter he had with a beautiful cook. Kakashi half-listened as he looked around the room as everything started to get blurred together. Kakashi shook his head, snapping out of his daze. He took a big swing of his drink before placing it on the table.
"Hey, look. Isn't that Sakura over there?" Genma asked as he pointed behind Kakashi. Looking over his shoulder, Kakashi answered Genma with an affirmative gesture. Genma made a move to get up but Kakashi tripped him from under the table so he fell in his seat.
"Leave her be for now." He ordered. Genma raised his hands in defeat and ordered another round of drinks. As the time passed by, Genma got drunk and Kakashi was at his limit. Genma leaned over the table to Kakashi.
"You think I got a chance with her or is she to damaged?" Genma smirked as he eyed the pink haired kunoichi. Kakashi stared blankly at Genma.
"Sakura, you idiot." Genma grumbled.
"Maybe, maybe not who knows." Kakashi stated.
"Okay, so here's the plan. We'll both go over and offer to walk her to her room and you just talk about how awesome I am, then you leave and I talk her into letting me go in with her." Genma plotted. Kakashi sighed as Genma dragged him over to Sakura.
Sakura was sitting at the bar counter alone downing drink after drink, her hair laying loosely against her back. Genma placed his hand on her shoulder making her jump in surprise. "Hey Sakura, why don't you let Kakashi and I walk you to your room." Genma proposed as he reached for her hand to guide her out the bar after paying for her drinks. Genma elbowed Kakashi slightly as he shook his head towards Sakura. Kakashi cleared his throat.
"Genma is a nice guy? Huh? You know for offering to walk you back and all." Kakashi volunteered. Sakura looked over to Kakashi, her big emerald eyes catching his before he turned away.
" Yea, uh thank you Genma...and Kakashi." Sakura murmured the last part quietly but not quietly enough that Kakashi heard. Genma put his arm around Sakura's waist while Kakashi glances at her with his uncovered eye. Genma talked Sakura's ear off. As they got closer to her room, Kakashi tried to make a move to leave while Genma tried to get all the attention. Sakura opened her door and pecked the men's cheek and thanked them for walking her back before shutting the door in their faces leaving them to go away. The duo eyed each other before turning in opposite directions to their own room to sleep and prepare for their upcoming mission.