Hello, folks! I'm really sorry for the late update but i suffered a terrible art block O_O. Anyway, I hope you like the new chapter and I'm awaiting your reviews.
PS I do not own "Naruto" it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto ©
Everyone of us was made to suffer
Everyone of us was made to weep
But we've been hurting one another
And now the pain has cut too deep…
"Walking On Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox
"Today, we've gathered to complete two tasks: first is to announce the temporary ranking of the participants and other is to explain the next, last challenge.", the voice of Mizukage echoed in the hall and the old man made a short pause so that the applause could fade away, "Straight to the point… Since the second challenge was divided in two parts, the amount of received points will be proportionally distributed between them as well."
Sakura bit her lower lip and tried to focus her eyes at the Mizukage, ignoring the glares that Darui was shooting at her. She purposely came in the hall in the last minute, so that she could avoid speaking to the Lightning shinobi. After a sleepless night, spent crying on Ino's breasts and eating cookies, the pink-haired kunoichi hadn't figured out what to say to her date.
"For the first part of the challenge the participants will receive 10 points each because all of you succeeded in passing the test. Kankuro and Sakura will receive additional five points because they were the only ones who actually took into consideration the weaknesses of their targets included in their backgrounds.", the Mist leader nodded in their direction approvingly and the shinobi smiled slightly in return, "As for the second part… Considering the success rate of the used genjutsu we concluded that all of you would give away the information at some point and we decided that the standard for the evaluation would be the amount of time you managed to remain silent.", the old man shot Tsunade blank stare and continued, "Surprisingly, Sakura managed to endure the interrogation the longest and without uttering a word. She is rewarded according to her merits with first place – 40 points. Second is Darui with 25, third is Chojuro- 10 points and last is the Sand shinobi, Kankuro – without points."
Sakura shot a compassionate glance at her foreign comrade who only responded with a slight curved smile.
"So, to sum up, until now the temporary ranking of the participants. First place: Sakura – 90 points, second is Darui – 85 points, third is Chojuro – 40 points and last is Kankuro – 35 points. As you may remember after every challenge there would be someone who must end their performance in the tournament. Kankuro, since you have the least points, You have to leave.", the Mizukage murmured uneasily under the strict stare of the Kazekage. The Mist leader gulped and waited for the boy to leave the seats, arranged for the participants.
Sakura saw Tsunade bending down, whispering something in Gaara's ear. The small gesture of her shishou's hand didn't escape her green glare. The Hokage patted the young boy's shoulder with a soft, reassuring smile. Distant phrases like "don't worry" and "definitely win" passed by Sakura's ears, making her bite her lower lip unconsciously. The pink-haired girl lowered her gaze and played with the hem of the white tablecloth. She knew that her shishou was talking about her. She was consolidating Gaara that Sakura would win and the safety of the Sand village as well as any other village won't be compromised. Again her teacher put a too heavy burden for her to bear.
A familiar tickling sensation filled Sakura's chest and the girl lifted her emerald gaze, searching hectically for its source. Her green eyes met a black one. Her heart skipped a beat and she gasped startled for air, bowing her head again. Kakashi had come after all. Of course he'd show up. It was his duty to protect the Hokage. He never neglected his responsibilities, his inner clock might run a little slow but he always came. The memories of last night emerged in her mind once again. And a silent sob drowned in her throat. She couldn't look him in the eye. She couldn't even dare to stand in front of him face to face. She couldn't bear to breath the same air he breathed, the anger and the venom, Kakashi was emitting, were making it heavy and poisonous.
But deep inside Sakura knew that she was the one at fault and she had to face him and talk to him. Make things right again. But how could she explain to him her actions and reasons when she couldn't even define her real feelings in her heart? What exactly was she feeling? Friendship? Only purely platonic love born and raised by their past? Or was there something more, something primal, a spark ignited by their recent, newly developed attachment to each other? Sighing deeply, Sakura shook her head, missing the finalizing speech of the Mizukage who announced the lunch break before continuing with the explanation of the next challenge. The kunoichi took a deep breath and frowned, she had to talk to him now. She might be confused, but so was he. They just had to get to the bottom of their desires and feelings together. The pink-haired girl clenched her fist and headed in Kakashi's direction.
Suddenly a white-haired man emerged in front of her, "Darui!", Sakura gasped for air and instinctively stepped back a little, sending a immediate glance at Kakashi's place. The Copy nin had nailed his coal eye on her. The kunoichi gulped averting her green gaze to meet the one of the shinobi standing before her.
"You disappeared last night…", the man raised an eye brow with a slightly frowning face.
"I'm really sorry! I can explain.", Sakura bowed formally, "My team leader needed me for something. So I couldn't get the chance to tell you good bye."
"I see.", the shinobi's lips curved in a smug expression, "Is he always trying to sneak out with you from the dancing floor and hide in a dark alley when he needs you for something?"
"It's not what you think.", Sakura waved negatively her hand in front of her face, "We hid ourselves from the storm there."
"You know…", Darui placed his hand on her shoulder, "You should have told me that he'd get jealous.", his face drew closer to hers, "I would have saved him the trouble to kidnap you from the festival.", the shinobi grinned, "Or maybe you purposely wanted to make him jealous by accepting my invitation…"
Sakura blushed instantly and she lowered her gaze. Her motives for accepting might have been born by Kakashi's reluctance to answer her question in the beginning but later when the doubts in her soul arose and she asked herself if that was the right thing to do, the kunoichi remembered the mission Tsunade gave her. She had to take every possible opportunity and that one was perfect for her purpose.
"I think this is none of your business.", her voice suddenly came out sharp and angry, "My relationship with my team leader… I don't owe you any explanations for that."
Darui's eye narrowed and darkened, "As you wish, cherry.", the man winked at her sarcastically and left her staring in front of her in the empty space.
Sakura slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She needed to calm herself before she could go and talk to Kakashi. When the kunoichi opened her green gaze and looked for the Copy nin she realized that he had left before she could get the chance to confront him. Did he really want to avoid speaking to her that much? Did she really destroy everything they had between them? Sakura slowly went back to her seat and fell in the chair heavily, burying face in her palms.
Sasuke slid the kunai over the rough surface of the small block of wood, cutting some of it. The shinobi traced the peeled wood with his thumb, sighing heavily. He hadn't whittled in years, ever since he deserted Konoha six years ago to be precise. The sense of relief that was flowing in him every time the kunai caressed the wood made him feel lighter, as if the burden on his heart was slowly lifting bit by bit. The Uchiha didn't think that he was still capable of feeling remorseful or ambivalent about any of his decisions. But there he was – sitting on the edge of a cliff by himself, whittling with a depressed expression on his face. And all that because of something that Madara said.
"After she's no longer useful to us we'll kill her." His words were still echoing in Sasuke's head. Cold and carefree. Although, he shouldn't have had any objections nor doubts about it, the former leaf ninja just couldn't agree to that. His heart clenched and jerked. To kill Sakura. After six years not seeing her he still couldn't accumulate the thought. She was clingy, annoying, lovesick girl but Sasuke couldn't recall even once that Sakura had chased after him during the period he was a missing nin, unlike Naruto. She had been always obedient and considerate of his desires. The girl had protected him during the chuunin exam, risking her life for his sake, knowing that probably he wouldn't do the same. Sakura had never seen good from him but she didn't stop loving him, bathing him with her affection and compassion. And now what? She was going to die because of his selfishness, because of his desire for revenge. Because he just couldn't let go of the past.
The boy frowned as a tiny stick stabbed him in his forefinger. Sasuke indifferently moved his eyes on the sore spot and tried to unstuck it with his other hand. His vision blurred and the shinobi winked few times disoriented before it became clear again. His sight was getting worse. If all that didn't come to an end soon he'd lose his eyes. Sasuke couldn't afford this to happen. At least not before he killed Danzo and the Elders. Not until Itachi's name was clean again. If he had to choose between his revenge and the restoration of the Uchiha clan and Sakura's life, his decision was more than clear. He couldn't afford some foolish dependant kunoichi who once saved his life to prevent him from fulfilling his goal in life.
The Uchiha survivor clenched his teeth as he plucked the stick off, watching the small drop of crimson blood forming over his forefinger. A small chuckle escaped his lips, so there was still red hot blood running through his veins. The past few months he honestly thought that there was only ice in his heart. Coldness, loneliness, distance and constant fear of receiving a knife in his back were the only things around him. He no longer recognized himself. From time to time Sasuke allowed himself to reminisce about his past. The time when he and Itachi were training together, when his older brother helped him with his homework. When his parents were still alive and breathing, when his heart was full of joy and warmth. But lately even those lonely memories of his bright past had become dull, blurred, and were starting to fade away. He couldn't recall the faces of his parents anymore. They were just dark figures lying on the floor in a constantly increasing puddle of blood.
Sasuke let out the held breath in his lungs and dropped the kunai and the piece of wood. His eyes lingered on the falling objects into the abyss before him. They were getting smaller and smaller until he couldn't distinguish them anymore. They were gone, just as his feelings of regret about using Sakura to cure his sight. He was going to force her into healing him and then she would die. Naruto would start to hate him undoubtedly and finally his last bond would be so deeply severed that it would only need one last pull and it would fall apart. Killing Kakashi would be just perfect for that pull. A vicious smile formed on Sasuke's lips. The boy stood up and slowly dragged his feet back to their hideout.
Kakashi uncovered his sharingan eye, removing the forehead protector and pulled down his mask. His fingers ruffled the silver locks, trying to put them in order. The Copy nin shook his head and lifted his gaze. A pair of mismatched eyes met him in the mirror. Leisurely, turning the water in the sink on, he poured some in his handfuls. The jonin bowed down over the marble sink and splashed his face, lifting his head up to stare at his own reflection. A few sparkling drops were threatening to fall from the tip of his straight nose. Kakashi took a deep breath. How long had it been since he felt that way – shaken, unable to control his own thoughts, feelings and desires? Twenty years? More?
A flash of memory blinded his vision. He was once again the eleven-year-old boy, freshly graduated to jonin, leading his first team. Once again he saw his best friend crushed by the rock, once again he wished that Obito would have been late as usual, not making it in time to push him away, taking his cursed place, taking his cursed fate. Kakashi remembered the feeling of frustration, despair and regret. The anger had been pumping in his chest, aligning itself with the beating of his heart. Every second spent staring at Obito's crushed body had been years of torture on Kakashi's soul. Everything that happened later that day was a black spot. He couldn't even remember how he had come back to Konoha. The rage that had been burning in him had taken control over his common sense, blinding him completely. Yeah, that was the last time he ever let his feelings to get the better of his mind. At least until last night.
She somehow managed to get under his skin, crawling gently, opening the locks he had put around his heart with precision, without activating any of his defence mechanisms. Keeping him in the dark, he didn't realize the influence she was exerting on his poor soul just until it was too late. Being friends with Sakura somehow lightened his world, made it more colourful, full of anticipation and newly found desires. He never allowed himself to want because when life gave him one huge FUCK YOU he wouldn't be disappointed. But since the pink-haired kunoichi entered his life, occasionally Kakashi caught himself "wanting", daydreaming if you like. Wanting to see her flushed with anger face, wanting to see her eyes glistening with joy, wanting to be the reason for that smile on her face.
And she, unknowingly or not, gave it all to him. Every time they met her lips curved and chin trembled, her cheeks blushed in reddish pink and she was rewarding him with the most illuminating smile anyone could posses. Sakura brought back the meaning of "life" in Kakashi's existence. He had forgotten what it was like to wake up early in the morning, look through the window and welcome the new day with a bright face.
Friends…He loved her like a friend, nothing else…
The Copy nin repeated the sentence in his head like a mantra, as if he was trying to convince himself with it.
The more he desired to be around her, the more dangerous it was getting for him. Kakashi was fully aware of his tale telling symptoms. How his fingers betrayed him and caressed her sleeping face on the couch in her apartment; his eye committing a dreadful treachery every time it lingered longer than usual on her body, enjoying the view of her curves; or lips gently pressed against hers through his mask with fingers buried in her pink silky locks. He knew all of that; he wasn't stupid, or oblivious. But he just decided to ignore the signs. It was more convenient for him that way. It was too good and too beautiful to end, he was addicted to their ambivalent relationship and cutting her off was something he couldn't do. At least not today. That was what he had been telling himself the past week.
The Copy nin understood that Sakura's behaviour was something normal for her. She was relaxed, open and loving around everybody but he was a man after all, a human being. Last night when her body was close to his, allowing him to feel every curve, his heart went crazy. Against his will, his body responded to hers. He deeply doubted that it was her intention to arouse him but she did it nevertheless. It had cost him all of his self-control not to take advantage of her right there in the dark alley. The only thing that managed to cool off his head was that thought that she trusted him completely. She was sure that he didn't look at her as a woman. "She's right.", the jonin thought.
Then why did it hurt so badly when she called him only friend? Why did it hurt so much when he saw her today with Darui? Why did he get the feeling that nothing good would come out of his feelings?
Kakashi sighed, stopped the running water and glanced at the mirror one more time. He shouldn't avoid her. Few minutes ago he could swear that she was going to confront him. Next time he's just going to behave as if nothing happened. The shinobi nodded reassuring himself and then gave out a quiet cry of despair, bumping his forehead into the mirror as he realized it was easier said than done.
"Fuck.", the silver-haired man growled under his breath and rubbed his sore forehead.
Sakura sniffed and shivered, her nose started running and she felt on the verge of sneezing. That was just perfect, first she farted in the middle of a formal lunch and now she was going to sneeze during the ceremony. She looked around. Kakashi was nowhere to be seen, so was her shishou. Sakura scanned the room for Naruto but he was missing as well. Where the hell was everybody? A silent crack announced the opening of the double door. The kunoichi's head turned immediately in direction to the noise. She saw the Copy nin and Naruto accompanying the Hokage. The three of them entered silently. Tsunade sat on her respectful place next to the Raikage and the Mizukage and the Jinchuuriki stood behind her, chewing something which Sakura defined as a strawberry gum, judging from the pink traces that it was leaving on his lips.
Another cramp jerked her nose and she moved her nostrils quickly to prevent the sneeze. Rubbing her nose the kunoichi looked around her. The Mizukage had taken his place in front of everyone. It was time for the next challenge.
"Next stage of the tournament would be the last and the most difficult and dangerous one. Fortunately, you won't be alone in that. Each of the participants would be partnered with another shinobi and they are going to complete the task as a two-man team.", Sakura gasped for air and frowned as another tickling sensation ran in her nose, "But…It won't be you who would decide your partner. Your partner will choose you."
The pink-haired kunoichi bowed her head and clasped her palm on her face, missing the strange look that everyone sent her. Suddenly the tickling in her nose became too much for her to bear and she opened her mouth widely, taking a deep breath. The embarrassing sneeze echoed in the hall and interrupted the passionate explanation of the Mizukage. A dark reddish blush covered Sakura's face and spread on her neck and ears. Her hand was still covering her nose and the girl knew that if she was to move it, everyone could see the snivels that had come out of her nose. Just as Sakura was about to rush out of the hall to the bathroom, a male hand holding a napkin appeared before her face. The girl immediately took and wiped her nose. With reddened face she looked up behind her and her green eyes popped out as she saw Kakashi giving her an eye crease.
"Thank you.", she mumbled and turned her back to him, focusing on the explanation of the Mizukage.
"Anytime.", his voice was light and carefree.
Sakura bit her lip and stepped back a little closer to him, "Do you always carry paper napkins in your pouch?"
"Well, yeah. Reading Icha Icha causes me some unexpected nasty nosebleeds. I can't be unprepared."
The kunoichi shook her head with a slight smile, "Why aren't you guarding the Hokage with Naruto?"
"Change of plans. I'm your new escort.", Kakashi whispered and poked her in the ribs, nodding in direction to the Mizukage, putting an end to their conversation.
"Where was I? Ah, yes. Choosing partners.", the old Mist leader murmured scratching behind his neck, "The shinobi who want to be teamed up with any of the participants must bid for them.", the Mizukage grinned, "Have you played Bridge-Belote, my dears?", when he saw the men in the room along with Tsunade nodding, the Mizukage's smile became wider, "You will follow the rules of making announcements in the Bridge. Meaning… 1 heart, 2 diamonds, 4 spades and so on up to 7 no trump. But mark this…! Whatever call you make you have to carry it out. If you say four clubs that means you and the participant in your team will have to make at least 4 + 1 hands. Of course that only applies to the team whose bid is the highest. The other two teams will only have to share out what's left of the other hands.". The Mizukage cleared his throat, "In your case, the number of hands you take is equal the number of kills you make."
The room became quiet. Sakura widened her green eyes and glanced at her shishou and the averted her gaze to meet Kakashi's. What she saw in his black eye made her shiver. That wasn't the same eye which she was used to see. His sight was serious, focused and as Sakura noticed later - his hands were clenched into tight fists.
After the short pause the Mizukage continued, "The challenge will be held in three parts. First is called The Tag – the three teams will be put in the coliseum where there would be 14 men. Your task is to place a mark on them. Remember, the number of people you tag will be the number of people you'll fight in order to take your hands later. So if you tag less than your needed number you won't be able to continue to the second part, which is called The Harvest. This is the part where the actual fighting begins. You and your chosen participant will have to confront all of your tagged men. At once. The only way to escape from the death is to fight. The only way to win is to fight. Every possible jutsu you know can be used, whatever you may think of. No limitation. Every strategy or cheating methods are allowed.", the Mizukage's eyes travelled on the participant's faces, "Each team will be given the same amount of weapons, they will wear the same clothes. Only the participants will be allowed to have one extra item of their choice. About the points you receive. The higher the bid the more points you get, for every hand taken above the announcement you made will bring you double points. Any questions?"
Darui raised his hand and the Mizukage nodded in his direction, "What's the third part?"
"When you finish the second you'll understand.", the old man looked around and his eyes stopped on the pink-haired kunoichi who was raising her hand as well, "Yes?"
"Who are the people that we must fight with?", the voice of Sakura came out shaken and weak, she cleared her throat.
"Ah, yes, yes. The opponents. They are former shinobi gathered from all of the five great nations who were sentenced to death. Among them are mostly traitors. But you can find one or two who were just nuts and the kage decided that they were no longer useful to the village. I must say, avoid tagging them.", the Mizukage grinned and lifted his chin, "If there are no other questions I suggest we finish our desert and the start preparing for the challenge."
The room filled with murmurs and whispers. Everyone was talking to someone enthusiastically. Sakura suppressed another sneeze and lumped heavily in her chair. Great, just great. Now she was going to be sold in an auction. Some imbecile shinobi would put her head on the guillotine. Suddenly a male hand appeared on her shoulder.
"Don't worry.", the voice of Kakashi startled her and she looked upwards to see him staring at her with his one-eyed gaze.
"Same goes for you, you know.", the kunoichi answered sighing.
"I'm not worry."
"I saw you doing that thing with your mouth.", Sakura narrowed her eyes and covered her mouth and nose with hand to silence another sneeze.
"You've caught a cold.", Kakashi's voice whispered behind her. She could feel the accusation in it.
"And whose fault do you think is that?", she murmured and rubbed her nose.
A silence spread between them and Sakura chopped a piece of the cake in her plate. She shouldn't have said it.
"I'm sorry.", their voices interlaced with one another and they both stared at each other faces.
"I shouldn't have said it.", Sakura continued first.
"I shouldn't have left you there alone in the rain.", Kakashi's eye fell.
"Why? So we can be both sick today?", the pinkie grinned and poked him with her elbow as hard as she could, considering the chair back that was between them. An awkward silence spread between them, "Do you want the cake? I'm not sure I like the brown chocolate. It has nuts in it.", Sakura handed him the small porcelain plate over her head, ignoring the looks of other people in the room.
"Thank you. But I can't really pull my mask down here.", Kakashi murmured unsure, taking the cake .
"Don't be silly. Come sit next to me. That way not everybody can see you.", Sakura tapped on the empty chair next to her where Kankuro used to sit and smiled brightly at Kakashi.
The Copy nin looked around and saw the curious expressions on everyone's faces. Tsunade was smirking and nodded slightly as a response to the questioning glance of Kakashi. The silver-haired jonin sighed and sat next to Sakura. He was probably going to hell for this… The man looked around him and saw everybody staring at him, waiting to remove his mask. Naruto's mouth was wide open and a slight pinkish drool was flowing of its corner. Suddenly Kakashi grabbed a smoke bomb from his pouch and threw it to the opposite corner of the room. Immediately the guards of the Kages jumped on the table with drawn kunai, looking at direction to the explosion. Only Sakura was shaking her head in disbelief as she saw Kakashi pulling up his mask already eaten the cake.
"You just had to do it, didn't you?", her voice was trembling from the suppressed laughter.
"Of course.", he gave her another eye crease, "It was delicious."
"Glad you liked it.", Sakura smiled and raised her glass of fuzzy water indifferently.
"HAAAA! Kakashi-sensei!", Naruto screamed pointing his finger at the older jonin across the table, "That's the second time you've done this! It's not fair."
"There, there, Naruto.", the man gave him an eye crinkle as well, "One day you'll see it too."
The blonde Jinchuuriki growled through his teeth and took his place behind Tsunade as he saw the other guards doing the same. The young shinobi bowed down to the blonde woman and whispered, "Tsunade-baachan, can I have the cake too?"
The Hokage punched him in the face with blank expression, sending him back a few steps, "Back off, Naruto. The cake is mine.", the Konoha's leader licked her cherry coloured lips and stuffed a huge piece of the cake in her mouth.
"You didn't have to walk me home, Kakashi.", Sakura turned around to face him, after unlocking her front door to the apartment.
"I'm your escort. It's my duty to protect you, especially now of all times.", his voice sounded indifferently, "It's the last challenge who knows what the shinobi from other villages will try to pull out on you. You are first in the ranking for now."
"Ah, yeah. Right.", her eyes fell. It was all about the duty and responsibilities. It was never because he wanted or because he just felt like it, "In that case… Good job.", she smiled fakery and raised her thumb up.
Kakashi's eye narrowed but then he gave her an eye crease with a slight nod, "I'll be right here."
"Oh, no. By all means don't. Please.", Sakura shook her head enthusiastically. The thought of Kakashi outside by her apartment was enough to make her nervous and right now she wanted just a little peaceful time for herself before the Grand Finale.
"Why?"
"Well…", she bowed her head, glancing at the floor, "I'll feel uncomfortable having you hanging in front of my door."
"I see.", Kakashi stepped back a little, heading to the stairs, "I never thought about what would your neighbours think of that. Sorry", he bowed and walked down the stairs.
Sakura's heart clenched. So distant. He could always suggest waiting her in her apartment but no. Even if he was considering it as a possible option, Kakashi wouldn't ask for it. He felt so far away from here, her lips tightened and she shouted after him, "Is this how it would be from now on?"
The Copy nin froze in his steps, slowly turning around, "How, Sakura?"
The kunoichi's eyes glistened with the unfallen tears from the night before, "I feel like I've lost you. You're next to me but I can't feel you anymore."
"We're teammates, Sakura. Only friends.", Kakashi gave her an eye crease which stabbed her right through the heart.
Those were her words. The pink-haired girl knitted her brows in painful grimace, "We're not even friends right now. I thought we were OK. During the lunch, everything seemed fine. Why are you behaving this way all of sudden?"
"Because, Sakura, during the ceremony, other Kages and participants were present, we can't afford to show them any weaknesses. And right at this moment, our relationship is a sick, unhealthy one for our team. If they knew about it, they would use it undoubtedly.", Kakashi's voice was sharp and stinging.
The kunoichi felt like the twelve year old self again when she was constantly lectured by the older jonin, "I'm sorry.", the pinkie's lips curved in a sad smile, "I forgot it was all for the sake of the village. Everything is for the village."
Kakashi didn't answer, he just turned around and continued walking down the stairs when Sakura's voice stopped him again, "But, you know, I'm not an empty shell, I have never been and I certainly won't become one now. I am a person, Senpai. A real living girl and I need those feelings that I have in my heart. It's vital for my existence to keep the relationships I've built but if you're so persistent about cutting the bond we shared…I'll respect your decision.", Sakura bowed formally and entered her apartment, leaving the silver-haired jonin staring at the empty space in front of him.
The kunoichi placed her back against the door and slowly slid down until her bottom reached the floor. So it really was over between them. Everything she had tried to build for six years, every second they shared together the last week, all of that was gone. And she wasn't sure why exactly. Kakashi seemed jealous and angry whenever she was with another guy, he started sulking when she called him a friend but at the same time he was annoyed of their closeness, displeased by the time they spent, by the moments they shared. He was confusing her completely. What did he really want? To be friends with her or to try and be something more? And on the top of that today he declared that their relationship was nothing more than the one between teammates. No strings attached after everything that had been.
Were his feelings for her that confusing? Were they that disgusting and unwanted so he was prepared to fight with his own self against them? The kunoichi sniffed. Her nose was still running. Perhaps she should take some pills before getting a fever too. Looking at the clock on the wall she calculated that there were still few hours before the beginning of the challenge. There was enough time for a quick hot shower. Sakura took off her clothes and entered the bathroom. Before thinking about Kakashi's feelings, probably she should sort out hers for him first.
The Copy nin sat on the lowest star and ruffled his hair with fingers. Once again he behaved like a jerk. Once again he did something he didn't intent to do. How stupid was he to tell her that their only relationship would be purely professional? Seriously? How stupid? There were so many more ways to make up with Sakura, without deepening the conflict. Because instead of solving the problem he created another. Practically speaking, that way was better for the challenge. After he and the Hokage had a long discussion, it became clear that he was going to bid for Sakura. Tsunade wanted him to be her partner. So if now Sakura behaved like he expected her to, there would be no problems. But only if… Kakashi knew he hurt her. He was aware that she cared for him whether she realized it or not. Sakura was the type of person who gave everything to the one standing in front of her. All of her attention, all of her compassion, all of her love and affection. And now Kakashi didn't feel as if he was any different than Sasuke. Abandoning her after she gave him so much. It was for the best. It was really for her sake. Not the village, not the tournament. Only for her.
"Kakashi-senpai! What are you doing here?"
The Copy nin jumped startled and faced Yamato, "Ah, well… waiting for Sakura."
"Oooo, you are going out with her?", the young ANBU sounded disappointed.
"Don't be an idiot.", the silver-haired jonin frowned, "I'm her escort for the tournament."
"I'm glad.", a slight flush spread over the younger man's face, "I'm sorry."
A silence spread between them, "Is she resting?", Yamato asked mumbling.
"Why are you asking?"
"I wanted to pay her a visit before the final challenge. She ran out of sugar and I doubt that she had the time to go shopping. I bought some."
"Oh, of course you'd buy her sugar. Silly me.", the Copy nin moved aside to let him pass by, "I don't think she's sleeping."
"Great!", the voice of the ANBU member came out livelier than before, completely ignoring the sarcasm in Kakashi's words, "I haven't seen her for such long time.", Yamato bowed slightly, "I'm going then. I don't want to distract her too much."
"Tenzo…" The voice of the older jonin stopped the young man in his steps, "Exactly how close are you with Sakura?"
After thinking for a few seconds the brunette shinobi smiled, "I think you should let her explain that to you later. I'm not good with those things."
The young ninja ran upstairs, leaving Kakashi dumbstruck. That Sakura…what the hell was she doing?
Tsunade grinned at the Raikage, "How are you feeling, Raikage-sama?", the blonde raised her glass of water and stirred the ice cubes in it slightly by swaying it.
"I still don't know why you invited me here, Hokage-sama.", the dark-skinned man raised slightly his eyebrow.
"I think you know the reason perfectly.", Tsunade's grinning face frowned and she sent the man before her a mysterious glare.
"I already told you. I did not order Darui to get close to your girl. I have no reason to do that."
"Oh, please. Try to fool somebody else, old man.", the kunoichi pft-ed and shook her head, "You want to find out if my apprentice is the one using the poison that killed the Tsuchikage's granddaughter during the first part of the tournament."
The Raikage kept quiet for moment and then after sipping from his glass he whispered, "I get it that you're looking for the culprit as well."
"I'm not stupid, Raikage-sama.", Tsunade smirked, tapping her red-polished nails on the glass' edge.
"If it's not us then there is only two possible options.", the white-haired man murmured, "First is that someone outside of the five nations is using it or…"
"…the Mizukage is involved.", the blonde finished instead of him.
"Yeah."
"But…", the Hokage crossed her fingers before her face, "What if they are both correct?"
"What do you mean?", the Raikage frowned, narrowing his eyes.
"Have you met the Mizukage before this tournament?"
"No, he was appointed shortly after the last Kage's meetings."
"Well, I've met him before that.", Tsunade paused looking around her, "He's not the same man…"
"You think someone managed to fool us with a simple henge?", the Kumo leader's jaw snapped open.
"No, I think that someone is controlling him."
The Raikage attempted to speak but Tsunade's palm covered his mouth. Surprised, the shinobi saw her making a hush sign and shaking her head. The kunoichi slowly quietly stood up, followed by the Raikage. They both stood before her cabinet's double door and after sharing a small nod they opened it in one swing. With a huge ruckus Naruto and Darui fell on the floor.
"What the hell is this?", Tsunade's voice echoed in the Hokage tower.
Naruto sat on his bottom on the floor grinning nervously and scratched behind his neck, "I trimmed."
"You trimmed too?", the Raikage shot a blood stare at Darui's direction.
The lightning shinobi gulped and then sighed heavily, "No, Raikage-sama. We were eavesdropping."
Naruto's mouth gaped, "I trimmed he was eavesdropping alone.", the Jinchuuriki widened his eyes, "Actually, I trimmed on him!"
Darui's head turned to him in disbelieving expression, "Is this the best you could think of?"
Naruto pinched his tight and shot him terrified look, "C'mon man, don't sign my death sentence. Tsunade-baachan will beat me to a pulp."
Darui's eyes averted to look at the blonde kunoichi, stamping her foot on the floor. Her eyes were burning, sending bloody sparks at them. Suddenly the Raikage grabbed him for his collar and made him rise on his feet.
"You and I…we're going to have a small talk.", the voice of the leader was low, "Excuse me.", he slightly bowed to Tsunade and dragged Darui down the corridor.
Naruto followed them with his blue eyes and said a little pray in his mind for the shinobi. When he averted his gaze to the woman before him a cold drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. Well, it could be nice if someone prayed for him too.
"Anything to say?", Tsunade smiled at the boy, a vicious angry smile.
"I'm sorry I trimmed?", with a slightly raised hopefully eyebrow, Naruto laughed nervously before his laugh hitched as Tsunade's fist collided with his nose, sending him few meters back.
TBC