A/N: Happy Easter! Fast update for the holiday. :) Thank you to all of you who have reviewed, alerted, favored and kept up with HCBD. It really means a lot to me. My words are sincere, I assure you. This is my first story, and the initial nerves I had posting this up are starting to melt away every time I log on and read the reviews you all leave me. Thank you.
SPECIAL THANKS: I realized I hadn't mentioned her in a while.. Some friend I am. To HeartKakashi for always pushing and questioning my judgments.. in a good way. Hahahaha. Because of her obsession with kaka, I'm forced to write and rewrite his character again and again to fit her standards. Hopefully, that helps me satisfy the readers of fandom. Thank you, my personal beta. Let's go get lunch soon. Sushi? Your treat. Yes. :)
Q/A: Tarani_Botsatsu - I just wanted to say, thank you so much for keeping up with my story first of all and giving me warm feedback each chapter. You are awesome. :) Ah, and I was totally thinking about writing about what's going to happen to him as well. I was going to put a tidbit at the end for sure, but if I don't feel like I did it justice, I'll definitely write an ending proper for both worlds even if it is in one-shot or sequel form. Buttt it won't be as detailed as the Kakashi doing the task. It'll definitely happen though! Thank you so much for your question! :) I hope my answer wasn't too confusing! Hope you enjoy this chapter! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 5 - Fiendish Friendship
What the hell was she doing wrong?
She was pulling all the stops. Everything she ever learned about flirting- a harmonic blend of coyness and aggression- and all the little ways to gain a man's attention was not working at all. When all she knew, all her knowledge on feminine wiles, had practically no affect on him, she decided to go with a different route she had never used on a man before. Less subtle.
Well.. maybe not quite so subtle. Maybe, it was more like the opposite. Okay, fiiine, she doing everything but throwing herself physically at him, completely acting like a fool. She was an aggressive woman, only aggressive in other areas, like interacting with people or goals she wanted to achieve. She had never done this before. Not really her style. But after several hours of natural flirting, or whatever Ino was suggesting for her to do, it became painfully obvious that he really wasn't understanding her.
Straight forward seemed to work for Ino so she decided to give it a try. But, unexpectedly, as she tried to make her intentions very apparent, he steadily distanced himself from her, hardly uttering a word unless it was to direct them to another ridiculous ride.
And they had already ridden fourteen rides.
She was so tired.
Did she read the signs wrong? No! She couldn't have. He freakin' took her across the country on a whim. An almost complete stranger. He had to be interested. He just had to.
"Where to next?" Kakashi pulled out his map and crossed out the last ride they went on.
"Professor, I'm exhausted. Do we have to go on another ride?"
"I'll let you pick this time." he handed her the map, smiling kindly. If she was tired enough, she would stop doing whatever the hell she was up to, he reasoned. And although he was sick and tired of these rides and his head ached from being ricocheted back and forth, it was alright for as long as she was tired as well.
Sakura begrudgingly took the map and looked over it while pounding her shoulders for relief with her other hand. Her back ached so badly.
Looking over it she saw that they hadn't even ridden a fourth of the rides. She inwardly hoped that he didn't want to go on every single blasted contraption in that godforsaken place. She grazed her eyes over the pamphlet, not really paying attention to anything besides the exit. However, when she moved her thumb from a particular area that was momentarily obscured from her vision by the appendage, she felt herself suddenly rejuvenate with energy. Oh, yes. She had definitely found the ride she wanted them to go on together.
She smiled excitedly at Kakashi. "Come with me!"
He groaned. How did she get her energy back so fast? And why couldn't he do that? He stuffed his hands into his pockets and followed.
Wherever she was taking him it seemed close by. The standard, smooth, paved sidewalk changed into a stone pathway and instead of vendors and game booths, the scenery transformed to a rose garden. Roses of so many different colors. Unique colors he couldn't name intertwining in an unimaginable fashion. It was actually quite beautiful.
Kakashi suddenly stopped walking.
Roses.. Didn't Mylan warn him about roses?
"Hey, you coming?" Sakura beckoned him to follow with her hand, grinning.
His battle senses flared as he looked cautiously around him for any sign of threat. "I don't think this is such a good idea."
"Why do you look like you're going to fight someone?"
"Ah, there are just so many flowers. And I have terrible allergies." Kakashi tugged on his mask.
"Luckily there won't be any flowers inside. Come on, Kakashi." she enunciated his name for the first time, without yelling. The boundaries between teacher and student were already crossed anyway, and she did call him by his first name while trying to wake him during that.. unfortunate incident on the plane. She stood momentarily, waiting for him to make some sort of reaction to her- if he didn't comment upon it then it was okay. It meant they were getting closer and that he wanted that all along.
The sound of his name rung in his head and he was unsure if he should correct her or just remain passive. His Sakura never forgot to add the -sensei, always giving him the proper respect as her former teacher. But this was a different world.. Although, wasn't she calling him Professor this whole while? He decided to not say anything, thinking that she'd probably stop.
When he made no response, standing indifferently, she smiled radiantly at him. He wanted this. "Kakashi?" she called to him in a sing-song voice.
Damn. He should have said something.
Sakura walked forward and dragged him by his forearm because his hand refused to leave the sanctity of his pocket. The two strolled casually, one feeling immeasurably delighted while the other feeling perplexed and uncomfortable.
He kept his alert high. On many things. Mostly on their safety.
They approached the ride and Kakashi eyed the building skeptically. There was murky, green water in a canal leading towards an incredibly dark entrance. With his naked eye he couldn't see what was inside. If only he could use his sharingan..
"Aren't you going to get on?"
Kakashi looked down to see Sakura awaiting in a boat shaped like a.. swan. He finally looked around him and his jaw slacked. The structure was.. pink and red, with hearts, stars and butterflies everywhere. He never realized how much he wanted to retch all the delicious treats he consumed until now and it wasn't completely due to the constantly spinning rides. Looking around him Kakashi was astonished to find that this place was crawling with nothing but couples. All of them with joy and adoration in their eyes as they lovingly gazed at one another. Then he looked into the eyes of his hopeful student and he could feel the little hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
"Sakura, does it have to be this ride? Wouldn't you want to ride another one? Say this one?" he coolly brought out the map and pointed at some random spot, hoping his finger had actually landed on a ride instead of a tree or restroom.
But she ignored his hands and patted the seat next to her, motioning for him to sit. "Why not? It'll be fun!"
"Because, it's not appropr-"
"Hurry it up, buddy. My lady is waitin'." a crude man called from behind him, with his arm slung across the shoulders of a vivacious blonde.
Kakashi sighed and stepped into the damp boat, attempting to sit as far away from Sakura as possible.
The swan descended into the mouth of the dark, abysmal cave. Only when the dark invaded his eyesight, Kakashi remembered that this ride may be a place of potential danger..
It's a happy world after all. It's a happy world after all. It's a happy world after all. It's a happy, happy, happy, happy world!
The song pierced his sensitive ears in a way that nothing had before. It was worse than Naruto talking all the time. It was worse than Gai talking all the time. It was worse than Tsunade yelling. It was worse than fan girls screaming.
This was a nightmare.
Surrounding them were a bunch of little wooden dolls with big, rounded eyes, cherub pink cheeks and with sadistically sweet smiles that numbed his very bone.
"Let's get off."
"Professor, I don't think we can just up and leave this ride."
"We'll swim back."
"The water looks toxic." she cringed, leaning over the boat to look at the green, murky water.
"I'm sure we can climb onto the ledge." Kakashi shrugged inertly and stood to jump, but something in him hesitated. As if he were afraid of landing too close to the singing dolls.. but that couldn't be it, could it?
Sakura pulled him down by his sleeve and he landed down reluctantly, not because of her strength- but because of the puppets, the inanimate objects he knew would cause no harm to him besides his psyche.
"Tough it out. It's almost done."
There were nine dreadful rooms they had floated through filled with wooden dolls of different shapes and colors, singing that horrible tune in constant repertoire. And all the while Sakura kept inching herself closer and closer to him. Thankfully, she did not touch him yet. Just what was up with her?
"Oh, look. We can get out now." As soon as the boat emerged from the exit Kakashi skillfully jumped out leaving a stunned Sakura inside waiting for the worker to help put it to a stop.
"Where to next?" she skipped happily next to him, highly impressed by the agility of the man next to her.
"Back to the hotel. I want to nap."
Sakura groaned. "But you slept all yesterday. We're going to miss the fireworks!"
"You've seen one firework show, you've seen them all."
"Not really. This place is known to show the most beautiful fireworks." Sakura walked forward and looked up at him with hooded eyes. "I'd love to see them with you."
Kakashi filled with panic he wasn't accustomed to. "I'm actually okay with missing the spectacle. And I'm feeling pretty tired. Let's just go back. I bought us a month pass anyways. We can come back anytime."
"Are you saying we'll come back to see the fireworks together?" she said excitedly, hoping that meant he was satisfied enough with today to take her on a second date.
He wanted to demand for her to stop. He wanted to escape this nightmare of this world where people were abundantly everywhere, spreading their stench, this fast paced world that he could not fully comprehend, this horrible world where his adorable, little student made oogly eyes at him. Hopefully locking himself up in his hotel room would help. "We should get going now."
This mission was beginning to feel like a curse..
The ride home was quiet. Sakura had no idea what to say or do to fill the silence without him grimacing. Although most of his facial features were covered up she definitely knew a grimacing face when she saw one.
She now realized all the excessive flirting was not working. The trip to Wizneyland was a complete bust. To say she was disappointed couldn't even compare to what she was feeling. She was absolutely mortified with herself.
'You shoulda just acted like yourself.' Inner-Sakura scolded.
'How else is he going to know I'm interested?'
'You haven't flirted in a while. It was quite bad. Natural flirting works for you since your neurotic behavior makes your aggressive flirting scary. You're a turn off.'
'Look who's talking. You're a complete nut case all the time.'
'Look who's talking? I'm you! You're crazy!'
'Just leave me alone. I need time to think.'
'Whatever. Just don't ruin our chances! I want to see him naked again.'
Sakura followed Kakashi up the stairs mechanically and walked into her room, directly plopping herself down in the bed without bothering to close the door.
Right before Kakashi was about to open his door he looked back at Sakura's room. All day she had been acting strange and especially during the car ride. He didn't understand what was going through her mind while they were at the park- well, to be honest, he didn't want to understand. It was really none of his business, he liked to think, or rather he preferred it not being his business. But he understood her expression now. This was the face when she thought she was lacking in something- whether she thought she wasn't strong enough, wise enough or enough of anything. The face he saw the first day of their last mission together. It stirred up something inside him that wanted her smiling again.
She was upset. And despite her confusing the shit out of him all day, she was still Sakura. And when she needed someone, and he was aware of that fact, he wanted to be there for her.
He languidly walked to her room and leaned against the door frame.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah." she mumbled, turning her back to him.
"Pretty tiring day, today."
"Mmmhmm."
He inwardly sighed. He had no idea what to do. "Did you want to-"
"Kakashi," she called him by his name again, but with less excitement than earlier. It was sort of sad, he thought, so again he let it slide, "I'm really tired. Can we talk later?"
"Sure. Rest up. I'll wake you up in a bit to eat dinner. We'll go out tonight. Your choice." he smiled, knowing the promise of food would bring up her spirits.
A little tiny spark of warmth filled Sakura's stomach. He was being nice again. Perhaps there was hope. "Alright." she answered more cheerfully.
He closed her door and left her room feeling more satisfied.
Sakura flipped over onto her back. He wanted to take her out to eat tonight. Wherever she wanted. That sounded like a man still interested. Her innocent touches and coy, flirtatious behavior was probably something he was not use to.
When she had met him in the club he was most responsive to her regular feisty self. She now knew that was path that she had to take.
"Sakura," Kakashi addressed seriously, "Why are we eating at a place called Bad Sushi?"
"I've been here before when I was visiting my friend. The sushi is so fresh. You'll enjoy it."
"I don't understand why they would name their establishment as such when their food is supposedly good."
Sakura leaned over the table with a glint in her eye. "Because, professor, sometimes bad is so good."
Sirens went off in Kakashi's mind and try as he might he couldn't get them to stop. Was Sakura flirting with him? Was she flirting with him all day? His student whom he had seen from training bra to- well, he just didn't want to think about it. So he pushed his assumptions deep down where he couldn't be aware of them. "I don't believe that applies with food."
"I suppose you're right. But it does apply with so many other bad things." she winked. Kakashi felt his uneasiness grow.
"Two miso soups, two specialty rolls and four sides of sashimi." the waiter courteously laid the plates on their modest table.
And Kakashi was most thankful for the interruption. The elaborate dishes were set in front of them and he dug in quite hurriedly.
"See, the food isn't that horrible." she said smugly, looking at his empty plate.
"Yeah, it's good." he agreed halfheartedly not really paying attention to the meal.
"Professor, you shouldn't eat so fast. You should take your time and enjoy the pleasure your food brings you. Afterall, it's not everyday we get to have such.. delicacies." the words flowed from her chocolate thick.
"Stop that."
She cocked her head to the side in attempts to be adorably kittenish. "What ever do you mean?"
"That. Sakura, you've been acting peculiar this whole trip." he replied honestly. "I've been trying to ignore it, but I have the strangest feeling that you've been coming on to me. Stop me if I'm wrong."
Sakura could feel herself blush deeper by the second. She tried to open her mouth but no sound came out. Could she blatantly admit to something so embarrassingly straight forward?
Her silence was further proof that his inklings were correct. "Tell me I'm wrong."
Although she had been throwing signals at him like there was no tomorrow, she just couldn't bring herself to outwardly tell him.
'Stop being a pansy!'
'It's just so hard. I want to curl up in bed right now and just die.'
'Make your confession and that'll be fine with me.'
'I don't know if I can..'
'Fucking do it already!'
"No. You're not wrong." she answered softly.
It literally felt like he was just crushed by a ton of bricks. He sat there stunned unable to find the words to say to alleviate the situation. He couldn't make a joke because that would hurt her, possibly severely, and he could not brush it off because he reckoned that would probably end more worse off.
"Have I read the signals wrong?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What signals?"
With a heavy sigh, she leaned into her chair hoping to hide herself. "Well, you know.. We're practically strangers, professor, and you take me here out of the blue, so far from home on such short notice."
"I did. But I did mention platonically."
"I believed you at first till I talked to my friend-"
"Ino?"
"Yeah.."
"Figures."
"I know, I know. But what she said made sense. You chose me to spend the rest of your vacation with me, you're student whom you've hardly paid any attention to for a year now. You let me stay with you in a beautiful hotel-"
"In separate rooms."
"I thought you were being chivalrous."
"Sakura, I- You know I couldn't possibly-"
"No, I don't. I don't know you at all! You don't know me at all! Why am I here professor? If not for romance then what?" she demanded angrily. She was angry at herself, at her embarrassment, and at his naïvity for leading her on again.
Kakashi sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his head in thought. What she said was right. He was treating her as if he had seen every time she had scraped her knee the past decade, which was true, but they were strangers here. Right now, she saw him as a man instead of a friend despite the instant trust she had given him. He could see that trust crumble right before his eyes- his only comfort in this damned world.
"I see your point. I bet you think I'm crazy."
"Hell yeah, I do. No one does this, at least no one sane. I'm not your midlife crisis, am I? A project of some sort?" Sakura snorted, looking far off. She couldn't muster the courage to look him in the eye.
Kakashi looked appalled. "Of course not! I'm not that old."
Sakura began to look more pissed by the second. "You shouldn't be making jokes at a time like this."
"I apologize. I'm not good with confrontation. I even try to stray away from it whenever I can, but you do deserve an explanation. You have the right to find me questionable. I would have if I were in your position." he confessed honestly.
"You think?"
He took a deep breath, feeling the need to explain was the only way out of the dog house. He couldn't let this situation go and let it ride out its own course like he usually did. Things just always seemed to work out for him, but he doubted that would happen now. She didn't know him, and it was getting more obvious to him, he didn't know her either.
"I know it's hard to believe but I really did bring you here as a friend. I feel an honest connection with you, something I haven't felt in awhile, just not in a.. romantic way. I'm sorry. I do respect you and admire you. It's been some time since I've actually done anything with a friend and when I wanted to I realized I didn't have many people to lean on. And I only have so much time to get all these things done. You were the first person on my mind to accompany me on my little adventure." he half-lied. He didn't like that he was lying to her, but he didn't want to lead her feelings on. He had to make his intentions clear if he wanted to be close to her. "I've seen you with your friends and I've seen what kind of person you are. I know you aren't the type who would only be close to me for wealth or fame, but the person I am."
She looked away from him, soft tears brimming her large emerald eyes. That small chance, really minuscule possibility of him wanting to be her friend was actually the truth. And the sensible assumption that they may become possible lovers, was a delusion.
Sakura laughed softly at the irony, shaking her head. She should be glad. She went into this wanting to be his friend. But.. it was really nice the past night thinking- hoping for more.
"Sakura, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright." she lifted a hand to stop him from talking, "I understand, I do. You're practically a celebrity. No matter how you try to live a private life, it's hard for you to make friends, so it's expected. I get it." she tried so hard to not let her tears of humiliation fall.
"I do want to be friends." he reassured, "There's nothing else I want more. It's rare for me to get along so well with someone else." he admitted truthfully.
"I don't know, Professor." she shook her head, still unwilling to look at him.
'I don't know how I can face you after this.' she thought to herself. It was obvious that her crush on him still held a power over her. And when she thought she had a chance she jumped on the opportunity like no tomorrow, doing foolish things that she'd never do. It really did suck being a girl and all the feelings you had for someone were completely unrequited. Embarrassed didn't even cover how she was feeling. And she found herself always being embarrassed with everything in her life that had to deal with him. Why was it so hard?
She was ashamed that she had a one-night stand with him. Ashamed that he acted like he didn't know who she was only days after, as if she was a stranger. As if she wasn't significant. And he continued not to know who she was for the year she spent in his class. She went into his office hours hoping to see a glint of familiarity in his exposed, obsidian eye but he hardly looked at her. It was then she decided to never bring the fact of that night to him for fear of being even more humiliated than she already was. What if he didn't remember her? What if he didn't want to remember her? She promised herself that there was no way that she'd allow him to make her pathetic.
But he did that today. Without even meaning to. With good intention, he made her pathetic.
"It was just a misunderstanding. Think about it, please. Just stay." he softly pleaded as he saw an expression on her face that he had never seen before. Kakashi was more than worried, but not for him, not for their relationship as of that moment. No, he was worried for her. What he unintentionally did to hurt her. He had never hurt her like this before.. She looked like a woman on the verge of heart break.
With hesitant breath, she finally looked him in the eye. She already hit rock bottom with him. She might as well say what she wanted to say. "Do you really not remember me?"
Kakashi, again, was dumbfounded. What the hell was she talking about now? From the expression on her soft features, it told him he was in deep shit. Was she inferring that his counterpart of his world and she had previous history? It was possible, but there was no way of finding out how. And if he asked her what had happened between them, he was sure that what little resolve she had would break. That whatever past they had, he would admit that he didn't remember, even if he never really experienced it himself. And he was sure that would hurt her. He could deal with him being curious, but he couldn't deal with being the cause of her pain.
Luckily, from the back of the restaurant he saw an angry pair of cerulean eyes staring straight at him and he couldn't help but feel a bit better.
A huge man-child ran barreling for him, pointing his finger menacingly. "Who the hell are you and what have you done to Sakura-chan?"
Sakura blinked hard as she looked up to find her whiskered, surrogate brother standing right next to her. "Naruto?"
Immediately the heavy tension of the situation vanished as Sakura now wanted nothing more than to leave than have her friend make the situation more worse than it already was. Naruto kind of had this talent of making an awkward situation even more unbearable.
"Uzumaki Naruto, I presume. It's wonderful to finally meet you. I'm Hatake Kakashi." he extended his hand forward only to have it slapped away.
"Don't try to be my buddy, bud. Why are you making Sakura-chan cry?"
Kakashi listlessly raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm not crying." she defended angrily, but Naruto could not hear her, let alone see her. He was red with fury.
"I could kill you."
"Naruto, you idiot! Stop making a scene and sit down, now!" she stood up to grab his ear and forced him down in the chair, glaring murderously at him.
'Please, please, please Naruto. Be cool and not be an idiot right now..' she pleaded in her mind.
Despite himself and the situation, Kakashi laughed. He outright, joyfully laughed and their glaring at him was fuel for his laughter. Now this felt right.
"Sakura-chan, who is he?" Naruto eyed the chortling man more skeptically.
Kakashi wiped his exposed eye, now smiling. "Ah, I said it earlier, but it's no trouble to repeat myself. I'm Hatak-"
"I believe I was speaking to Sakura-chan" he interrupted, narrowing his deep ocean eyes.
"You know who he is. The scientist Hatake Kakashi."
Realization flashed over Naruto's features and a small percentage of calm surfaced. "So this is the him. The dude you've been obsessed with the past deca-"
She instantly stuffed his face with wasabi.
Sakura laughed nervously as Naruto began spitting on the floor profusely. "He's just exaggerating. I've just been an admirer of your works like many others." she downplayed.
"But Sakura-chan, you know like everything everything about-"
"Naruto, you better shut your mouth before I sew it shut. I have floss in my bag."
He gulped audibly looking away from her and drifted to the nonchalant man next to him. His glare returned. His eyes traveled over this white haired guy, up, down and sideways before deciding he didn't like him. Who covered themselves that much? Naruto was a firm believer of wearing as little as possible when circumstance allowed it.
This guy looked relatively young, but his white hair threw him off. Was he in his twenties? Thirties? Eighties?
And who was he to make his best friend cry?
"I don't like you." he pointed his index finger again at the man.
Kakashi sighed. "Yeah, I can tell."
"Naruto! You hardly know him. He isn't that bad."
"Oh yeah? Then why were you crying earlier. And why are you here? You didn't tell me that you were coming to Sunangeles." he pouted, an expression that would've looked ridiculous on any other man his age, but for some reason, it fit him.
"Oh, about that. I was going to tell you, but everything was really last minute."
"So you're not here to see me." he stated sadly.
"No?" she said chuckling nervously.
"Then why are you here?"
"We wanted to go to Wizneyland." Kakashi filled in. Originally he had wanted to sit this one out and let them argue to their hearts content, letting whatever misconceptions take its course, but alas, he had to win over his jinchuur-
Ah, that's right. He no longer had the nine tailed fox in him. The man before him was never ostracized for harboring a demon. Funny their personalities were exactly the same despite a different past. This was just further proof that Naruto was never going to change.
"Was I asking you? Are you Sakura-chan again?"
Kakashi smirked.
"Naruto, behave." Sakura scolded, "And yes, we came here to Wizneyland. I came to help Professor Hatake with something, but I believe our business is.. finished." she said sadly, never leaving her gaze from Naruto. It didn't feel good to be around Kakashi anymore. She could just imagine the tension between them grow if she tried. Her presumptions all ended up wrong. She couldn't go through this kind of turmoil again.
She could see it now- him showing up on her door step kneeling with flowers, some rock star singing in the background and a little, velvet box in his palm, exposed in all its glory for her to see. She'd be crying, and jumping, yelling 'Yes!' and he'd look at her strangely while opening the little box, revealing a very expensive, antique wrist watch. Or broach. Or something equally stupid. It would probably be a gift expressing his gratitude for being his best friend. She'd be pissed and he'd wonder what he did that was so wrong.
"Finished?" Kakashi repeated.
"You went to Wizneyland.. On business?" the blonde's eyes narrowed thinner than slits, "Well, that's the best business ever!" he said excitedly, returning to his usual self.
"Yeah, but it's all over now! I can join you now." she said happily, ignoring Kakashi's stunned expression.
"Aww man. I have training for my next movie the next two weeks. How long will you be in town for?"
"Two weeks." she frowned. Why wasn't anything working out the way she wanted?
Kakashi observed the melancholy expressions on both of his former student's faces. "What kind of training?"
Naruto looked at the man as if he didn't want to answer his question, let alone acknowledge his presence.
"Yeah, what kind of training is it that's going to keep you away from me while I'm here?"
Well, since Sakura-chan asked.. "Fighting. I'm not sure. Apparently my last movie wasn't that.. convincing so the studio hooked me up with some kind of master."
"I believe it. Your clumsy self flipping around? It was fun to watch." Sakura giggled.
Kakashi inwardly smiled. Naruto needed help with fighting? The all powerful, future Hokage, hero needed training in taijutsu? This was such a perfect opportunity.
"I could train you." Kakashi offered casually.
"What?" they both simultaneously exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know a thing or two about fighting. I could definitely help you out." he eye-crinkled.
"I don't know, Professor. I mean, Naruto is a big star. He probably has access to the best trainers available, no offense. And I don't think I've read anywhere that you're trained in such.. particular arts?" Sakura questioned.
"Yeah, man. No."
"I've studied under the best and I think I can hold myself quite well. Just give me a shot. And if I do it that gives Sakura more reason to hang around while she's here. Other Senseis won't usually give you breaks. I'll give you some free time to hang out together."
"Sensei?"
"Ah, it's kinda like a teacher."
Naruto went silent as he thought carefully about the offer. Although he did not want to be anywhere near this guy, he did want to see Sakura. It's been a few months since he'd been back home and her presence was refreshing in the midst of his impossible schedule. He wouldn't have time for her at all. But then again, this was his career. He couldn't have some amateur, backyard mixed martial arts fanatic screw him over.
"I do want to spend time with Sakura-chan, but I think I gotta go with whatever the studio picks out for me."
"Who's the trainer? I've probably heard of him." Kakashi crossed his fingers under the table hoping the boy wouldn't say Jiraya-sama.
"I'm not sure. My manager, Lee, helped me out. He's some mountain monk that goes by the name of Green Beast. He's suppose to be the best." Naruto chuckled.
Kakashi cringed. Even in a different dimension his 'eternal rival' still called himself that ridiculous name. "Yeah, go ahead and fire him. I could train you better."
"You've heard of him?" Sakura asked.
Kakashi nodded once in affirmation.
"Are you sure, old man?"
"Naruto!"
"It's fine Sakura." Kakashi smiled, "And I'm positive."
Naruto went silent looking back and forth between Kakashi and Sakura. "Alright. Meet me at my place tomorrow at six in the morning. Sakura-chan knows where I live. But if you suck I will end you."
"Sounds perfect." Kakashi smiled amicably.
"Well, then, that's settled." Naruto stood from his seat and shot a toothy grin Sakura's way, "Sorry for such a short visit, Sakura-chan, but I was in the middle of some business dinner."
"It's fine, Naruto. I'll see you tomorrow." she stood up to hug him goodbye and watched as he sat down at the other end of the restaurant.
"That ended well." Kakashi commented, taking a quick sip of his water before she sat down.
"What the hell was that?" she whispered angrily.
"Why are you whispering?" he whispered back.
"So I don't cause a scene by yelling!" she yelled so loud the neighboring tables all glanced at them.
He smirked amused. "I see."
"Why would you offer to train, Naruto? This isn't some game for him. It's his career."
"I am aware of that. I wouldn't leave him for the wolves."
"Why? You hardly know him."
Kakashi shrugged.
"Because you had an instant connection with him as well?" she said sarcastically, but she instantly caught herself. The anger she had been trying to push inside her was spilling. Although she understood why he did what he did, it didn't mean she understood him.
"Partially because of that, but mostly because I knew you were planning on deserting me even if it were to simply stay at his home alone while he prepared for his movie. It's a win win win situation."
"A triple win situation?"
"Yes. Naruto gets the best trainer. You two get to spend time with one another. And I have another chance of convincing you to be my friend."
However frustrated she was, his plan was genius. Cocky, but genius. And he only had mere moments to think of it. Damn him.
"Kakashi," she addressed him by his name, again, "Could you please tell me why you're doing this? Why me? I know you've explained but I can't comprehend why." she said softly.
Kakashi smiled and said the word that felt most nostalgic. "Because."
"Because?"
"It's been awhile since I've let people in my life. I suppose I never knew that they were actually important, or that I liked having that around until recently. People.. They're rather important, you see." he coughed, a feint blush bloomed over the apple of his cheek. It was sort of a delicate subject, one that he did not want to explain, but Sakura's expression looked eager, as if she were waiting for him to speak until she was satisfied. He waited for a nod, or any type of movement that reassured him that she 'got it', but to his avail, she simply sat awaiting his next move.
He cleared his throat one more time, "You know, the type that would take the time to read your expressions and finish your sentences- tells you when your milk has gone bad. Where you could be in the same room and quiet, and there is nothing else more comfortable.. And.. I believe you are just that type of person who is unconditional with their friends. Can you blame me for wanting something like that? I'm not saying that I want that now, just being more than an acquaintance would be nice. You are a rather agreeable person most of the time. "
Despite herself, a small smile graced her features. If she ignored the last bit of his speech, she would have to admit, that was one good explanation. But she couldn't help but feel skeptical of him still. He was just so strange. Hatake Kakashi was truly out of this world. She would have to get to know him better in order to come up with a better conclusion of him.
The question was, did she still want to know him?
The answer was obvious.
"Okay, I'll think about it."
"We're late. Of all days, of all times, we're late!" Sakura yelled, looking out the window of their yellow cab to the unmoving traffic.
"We are." Kakashi crossed his arms in front of him and closed his eyes.
"This is all your fault."
"Not entirely. I can't control traffic."
"You better not be going to sleep."
"I'm not."
"We should have left around five thirty to avoid all of this."
"Don't worry. We're still going to get there." he said casually.
"It's already ten o'clock! We were suppose to be there at six!"
He sighed, finally opening his eyes and slouching more heavily in his seat for comfort, "A fun fact about me is that I'm not really punctual."
"Really? I haven't noticed at all, Professor." she said sarcastically.
"I tend to get distracted with things I'd rather do while in the process of readying myself." he said while closing his eyes once more. "And, Sakura, I think it's about time you start calling me by my first name." he said simply before falling silent once more. If he wanted them friends, he wanted to make sure she was growing comfortable around him. He wanted to give her that much.
"Okay.. Kakashi." the name flowed from her unnaturally, but it was much better than yesterday. Then again, saying his name had a different meaning today than yesterday. It was.. nice.
Sakura bit back a smile. She wanted to scold him more since she was always one for being on time but.. the odd thing about this all was that she liked learning about his little abnormalities- the things that made Kakashi, Kakashi. Just like how she learned to love Naruto's innocence, Sasuke's broodiness or Sai's inappropriate behavior- at first, it drove her crazy, but now, it felt like home and she could never help but to laugh or smile. Of course they deserved to be slapped every now and then- a person could only take so much- but she did love their unique qualities. Now, she was learning to appreciate Kakashi's.. laziness. Slowly, but surely.
The car ride was spent in comfortable silence with an occasional snore from either Kakashi or the cab driver- the latter making her want to pee her pants from fright. The short time allotted her, she contemplated her decision from last night.
Throughout the evening she tossed and turned, thinking if she should continue with her relationship with Kakashi. It felt like she was literally stepping into a hazardous zone and accidents were everywhere. Was it wise? He didn't seem sane to her. She just couldn't understand him and she was still unsure if he was sincere. But a huge part of her wanted to get to know him to find out. He didn't seem like a bad person and his explanation sounded so endearing but her first impressions of him were working against his case.
To put it simply- things sucked.
Even so, he was still a person whom she admired above all else and he wanted to be her friend. She would regret all her life if she didn't take this opportunity.
So she decided to stick around and step into his crazy world. Hopefully it would be alright.
"Twenty bucks." the cab driver stop abruptly in front of Naruto's house.
Kakashi stared in awe out the window, absentmindedly handing the driver two twenties. The other houses on the block were monstrous and largely extravagant with beautiful walk ways and fountains, some with waterfalls. And here was Naruto's home in the middle of an impressively large lot of green grass. It was the tinniest house Kakashi had ever seen.
It was a tradition Sunangeles adobe styled home with one window and a simple wooden door for entrance. There were no fountains, or beautiful walk ways. There wasn't even a place to pull up a car. The only decoration, if it could even be called that, was a large track that wrapped around the edges besides the tall gate.
And Naruto was currently running laps with two others far off into the distance. Kakashi didn't need to squint his eyes to know who the others were. They both were dressed in green.
"Let's go. We gotta see if we can still salvage your job here." Sakura punched in the code for the gate and walked inside.
With surprising excitement, Kakashi exited the cab and followed.
"Hey, Naruto!" Sakura called at to the blonde approaching them.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto pummeled his himself towards her, capturing her in a gripping bear hug.
"Naruto.. I can't.. breath!" she struggled, attempting to push her elbows outward for space for her lungs to expand.
"Ah, sorry!" he quickly released her grinning.
Kakashi walked up to the two, hands in pockets, smiling. "Yo."
Naruto glared. "You're late."
"I would have been on time, but this lovely old woman needed my assistance to retrieve her cat that was stuck in a tree at the hotel." he said kindly.
Naruto elbowed Sakura lightly, "Is he for real?"
"I wish I can say he isn't, but he's telling the truth." Sakura sighed, "I tried to tell him not to. We were already running late."
"Who is this masked stranger?" the older man that Naruto was running with was now running in place beside the blonde.
"He's Hatake Kakashi, master." his younger version replied, also running in place on the opposite side of the still, glaring Naruto.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. You must be Lee." Kakashi addressed earning a thumbs up from the boy, "And you must be Gai."
Immediately the older man halted all movement and openly glared. A soft gasp escaped his student's lips as he also stopped in place.
Gai pointed a threatening finger at the masked man. "How dare you call me by my given name!" he exclaimed, "I am Green Beast. Leave now before you disturb my karma even further."
"Your what?"
Sakura giggled nervously and walked in between the two older men. "Hi.. er.. Green beast. I am Haruno Sakura, Naruto's friend. It's a nice to meet you."
His glare melted into a serene smile and he brought his extended finger to his chest. "Wonderful meeting you, Sakura-chan! I've heard a lot about you from my apprentice."
"Hello, Sakura-chan." Lee said adoringly with hearts twinkling in his eyes.
"Yeah yeah. Now that I have you both here I can see who's more capable between you two." Naruto crossed his arms over his broad chest.
"Naruto, I thought Kakashi was going to train you?" Sakura asked thoughtfully.
"That was the plan but Lee and his teacher showed up on time and gave me another option."
"Which was?"
"I will not train you with him." Kakashi said straight-forwardly.
"Nah, that's not the plan. What they wanted to do was-"
"I challenge you!" Gai stepped forward placing two fists on his hips and puffing his chest outward.
"I don't want to do this.." Kakashi looked at him tiredly. Even in this world his 'rival' still found a way to do whatever he wanted with him.
"What are you? Afraid? Ha ha!" the Green Beast mocked. "You are obviously no match for me!" He paraded around them all flexing his muscles magnificently
"I just want to see a simple match to make sure your skills are good enough." Naruto said gruffly, "I'm giving you a chance, old man."
His onyx eye gazed between both his students apathetically. Did he really have to do this?
"You should." Sakura said unsurely, "Naruto wants to be confident in whoever he picks. I do, too."
Kakashi sighed and walked slowly into open grass. "Let's get this over with."
Gai immediately threw his body against the ground and began to stretch. "Prepare to meet your doom!"
"Good luck, master!" Lee cheered enthusiastically.
"You can do it, Kakashi!" Sakura called out as well. The three moved aside and sat in the open field as perfect spectators.
"I have one rule." Gai stood to stand a meter away from his opponent. "No hitting the face."
"Why?"
"It's my best asset."
Kakashi began to regret why he even asked.
"The first person to knock down their opponent will be my teacher." Naruto called out. "Ready?"
Gai moved into a defensive stance and nodded.
Kakashi simply stood and sighed.
"Go!"
With impressive speed, Gai flipped backward three times to make distance and proceeded to ready himself into an offensive stance, leg extended. He opened his mouth viciously and growled.
"What are you doing?" Kakashi raised a curious brow.
"Ah, I see that I'm intimidating you. My tactic has worked." he kicked the air repeatedly with his right leg, displaying his talents before taking off into a dead sprint toward Kakashi, arms contorted behind him.
The silver-haired man remained still, waiting. Time seemed to slow and he could see his opponent's face jiggle against the wind.
"This is your end!" Gai licked his pointer and middle finger and arched them back, preparing to strike.
Kakashi grimaced and stepped out of the way at the last possible second, not forgetting to stick out his leg.
It was all going to fast! Gai watched as his enemy disappeared and reappeared only two feet away and he saw what awaited him- the foot. That damned foot. He was going to fast, there was no way he could avoid it! There was only one option.
"Noooooo!" right as he was about to collide into Kakashi's foot he stomped his left leg into the ground creating a nice hole that held him in place, stopping his momentum. "Ha HA! Think that I, the Green Beast, could fall for your tricks? Well, you are sadly mistaken my enemy."
Despite himself, Kakashi smiled feeling impressed. Finally, one person he met that used their chakra, however awfully, Gai still did it. As expected for someone of his caliber. In one fluid movement he lifted his extended leg forward and brought his leg back against Gai's stuck leg, behind the knee causing him to lose all balance and fall forward onto it. Before Gai could force himself up from kneeling position, with lightning speed Kakashi struck his opponent in the back of his neck.
Gai screamed a girlish squeal before hitting the ground, dirt filling his mouth.
He was knocked unconscious.
"MASTER!" Lee cried, running forward to gather his teacher into his arms.
Kakashi bent forward and pulled Gai's foot out from the ground to help the poor boy. "He'll be alright. Let him rest."
Sobbing, Lee gave Kakashi a thumbs up. "Your skills are awesome, sir. We acknowledge your talent."
"That was incredible." Sakura walked with Naruto up to the group, awestruck. She didn't even see what exactly happened. Gai was running towards Kakashi, and the next thing she knew he was knocked out.
"Yeah, I guess you move fast. You know, for an old man." Naruto said disdainfully, "The job is yours."
Kakashi smiled at the grumpy blonde. "I had a great teacher. And my speed and agility is nothing compared to him."
"Where's he? I think I'd rather let him teach me." he grumbled.
The silver-haired man's smile grew more solemn. "He's not here anymore, but I'm sure he would have enjoyed teaching you." Of course, the Fourth Hokage would appreciate teaching his son, given the chance..
Sakura could feel the mood change and deepen as she watched Naruto shift awkwardly in place and Kakashi fall into some sort of trance. "Hey boys, you two carry on out here and I'll tend to Ga- uhm, Green Beast, inside."
"That sounds great, Sakura-chan." Lee lifted the limp man onto his back and proceeded to carry him into the small home.
"Play nicely." she said, mostly directing her statement toward her dear brother, "I'll be back in a couple hours to get you boys for lunch."
She exited into the house, leaving teacher and student to awkwardly gaze at one another, both awaiting the others' first move.
Kakashi coughed into his fist while collecting his thoughts. Here he was alone with his former student, and just like the first time they had met, Naruto was wary. It had been far too long since he had been on the bad side of this kid, but he was determined to change that. The next two weeks were going to be tiring but he knew it would pay off. Kakashi would gain another ally in this strange world.
"Okay, let's start with a few stances."
"No, let's start off with this." Naruto said toughly, "I know you're here to impress, Sakura-chan, so don't act like I owe you any favors. I'm only doing it because my schedule won't allow me any free time till Christmas and I want to spend time with her."
"I respect that. But know this, Naruto," Kakashi addressed in the same serious tone, "I'm here to help you because I want to. You're a good guy. If it impresses Sakura, then it does. But that's not my intention. She'll probably inform you about me later, but for now I want us to get along for the sake of your career. You made a good choice of having me as your teacher but in order for this to work I won't tolerate animosity between us. I need your full attention for this crash course since I am giving you time off to be with her."
With great reluctance, Naruto softened his stiff stance. His job was to learn, and he was always willing to do whatever it took to be the best at what he did, even if that meant doing things he didn't want to do. And there were perks to having Kakashi mentor him. "That's fine by me. What do you want me to do first?"
Kakashi relaxed, feeling pleased with Naruto compliance. "I take it that you've warmed up with Gai earlier?"
The blonde curtly nodded.
"Good."
The next few hours were filled with intensity as Kakashi helped walk Naruto through the art of taijutsu. There was no hand to hand combat, unleveling of the ground or fists, but graceful kata stances repeated over and over again until perfection. Naruto began clumsily, with heavy hands and heavy feet but he was diligent and had no problem with starting from the beginning until he was close to getting it right. Sweat embodying determination soaked his orange track suit, the summer sun beating its rays onto the two.
Soon, the kid grew more friendly and willing as Kakashi directed him into the next set of stances, taking in his criticisms thoughtfully and even starting to ask proper questions to help better himself. Although they moved rather slowly, Naruto fumbling with his lack of skill, he made up for with his strong perseverance.
"You're not half bad." Kakashi praised as Naruto finally completed a set almost flawlessly.
"Thanks." Naruto grinned excitedly, preparing himself to repeat what he had just completed.
"Wow, you two are getting along great!" Sakura smiled, carrying a tray of iced tea for them.
"Yeah, the old man isn't too bad." Naruto struggled to say as he balanced on his left leg, arms out stretched.
"Naruto, you've worked hard. You can take a break now." Kakashi plucked a glass from Sakura, "I'll give you guys some time to chat. I'll be way over there under that tree."
As he retreated from them, Naruto gratefully ran to Sakura as she extended his drink to him.
"I guess he's won you over?" Sakura giggled as he gulped down his tea in one shot.
"I don't know yet, but there's something about him- well, I don't know."
"I know what you mean." she said thoughtfully as she squatted down to sit on the lush grass.
"What's his deal anyways? When I said that he was only doing this to impress you he was straight with correcting me, saying he's doing this 'cuz he wants to. How strange in this guy?" Naruto stared across the field at the man currently reading a book underneath the largest tree on the property.
"He's pretty off the wall. I believe that he's doing this because he wants to also. This man never does anything he doesn't want to do, unless by great force." she laughed remembering his altercation with the Green Beast earlier.
"So you two are dating, right? That's why you're here with him."
Sakura sighed heavily, "No, we're not dating."
"But he likes you."
"No, he's made it very clear that he doesn't."
"Why spend a month with you three-thousand miles away from home, if he isn't interested?"
"That was exactly what I thought! .. till last night. I don't really understand him, Naruto, but I do want to."
"Yeah, I bet you do. You've been talking nonstop about this guy forever."
"Shut up." she playfully punched his arm, "I do.. I mean I did want him to like me, but he doesn't. I think you'd get it. He is pretty famous and it's hard for him to have true friendships. He just wants to be my friend."
"Then why take you here and not to a coffee shop or something? He's probably bullshitting. Flying you out is kinda a big deal."
"Right? But apparently he has things he has to do by the end of this year. I don't know why or what yet, but he wants me around. I don't know. He says he sees something genuine about me. Whatever the hell that means."
Naruto sat quietly soaking it all in. "I think I get him."
"What?" Sakura raised a curious brow.
"Life of a celebrity is hard. I never really know if people want to be my friend because they want something to gain, or if they just want to gain me. Luckily I have you and the guys to do all the things I want with. Maybe this guy doesn't have anyone. With fame comes loneliness." Naruto grinned, "And I get why he chose you. You don't care about all that crap. You see the deeper stuff people have."
Sakura smirked, "He chose you too, you know."
He brought his head back in surprise. "What?"
"He's doing this because he sees the same thing he saw in me, in you. He wants you to be his friend, too."
"No way."
"Yeah way."
"Weird." Naruto shrugged, "I am pretty great."
Sakura giggled, "Be nice to him."
"Don't worry. I don't get an evil vibe from him. I think this guy is legitimately looking for the right kind of company and he's looking in the right places. Guy's got good taste."
"YOU FIEND!" a shrill, curdling yell emanated from the inside of the house. In an instant a disoriented Gai appeared on the door step scanning the grounds for his target. As his dark eyes locked sight of Kakashi's whereabouts, he took off across the field in a haste with Lee, holding an ice pack, trailing behind him.
"We should go over there too." Sakura stood up worriedly.
"You kidding, think I'd miss this?" Naruto grabbed her hand and ran towards the group.
"You bastard!"
"Well, that isn't very nice." Kakashi commented while placing his book down carefully onto his lap.
Gai was absolutely fuming. "I demand a rematch."
"No."
"You are fighting me again, I will find a way even if I have to force you to, I will!" he exclaimed, pointing a finger into the air.
"I won't do it."
"Why not? Do you not find me worthy enough?" Gai said sadly.
Kakashi sighed, "I just don't want to."
"But you cheated."
"I did not cheat. I won fair and square."
"You kicked a man while he was down!"
"Your foot was stuck in the ground. I merely took advantage of the situation."
Gai looked lost. He had no other ammunition to berate his opponent to fight him. "Fight me!" he whined.
Kakashi cringed from the high whimpering sounds Gai was making. "Some other time." he falsely promised.
"Right now!"
"I'm tired." Kakashi lifted his book to read again.
With a steady foot and strong determination, Gai strode over and sat down next to Kakashi, barely an inch away. "I will sit by you until you fight me."
"You will be sitting a long time."
"I have no problem with discomfort. I once ran across the country in one week without breaks."
If it were anyone else, Kakashi would have thought they were lying. But this was Gai. Anything was possible. He wanted to turn his head, but Gai was still looking at him and if he'd turn that would mean their faces would be only a few inches apart.
This was getting uncomfortable.
"Could you move a little?" Kakashi asked politely.
"Of course!" the green spandex wearing man moved closer.
"No, the other way." he scooted himself away and Gai just followed suit.
"Where ever you go, I go. Where you eat, I eat. Where you sleep, I sleep. Where you poo-"
"I get the picture." Kakashi lifted a hand to quiet the man, "Now quiet. I was getting to a really good part."
Gai looked over the page Kakashi was reading. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Jiraya-sama's new novel? He had already read it a dozen times, but he never tired of the romance in the story.
"Oh, this is a really good part!" Gai said joyfully, reading along while Kakashi sat idly, trying his best to ignore the man sitting impossibly close to him.
"I think this is good." Sakura concluded, laughing inside.
"Good? I think this is going to be the funnest couple weeks ever." Naruto walked over to sit on the opposite side of Kakashi, attempting to read as well. Kakashi shifted uncomfortably, his right eye scanning between the two men next to him before sighing again for the hundredth time that day.
"Yeah, I think it just might be." she mused to herself.
Whatever was going on between them, however she felt, Sakura now was a hundred percent certain that she didn't want to miss a thing with this man. Hatake Kakashi was going to become..
Her friend.
A/N: Happy world after all? Haha, so I tweaked the lyrics to fit this story a bit.. Ah, a little warning. HCBD is going to be a pretty long one. Not a 100 chapters, but probably around 30 or so chapters if all goes to plan? So, please bear with me! I want to take this slow since this is a romantic fic. Because love is in the picture, I have to write what's realistic to me despite this odd situation. After all, I have to correctly get over that little obstacle of Kakashi looking at her as a woman instead of a little girl in a training bra. I could go wrong with that in so many ways.. It's a challenge, I tell you, to start their relationship without him having feelings first.
But I already know the steps I want them to take. Friends can make the best lovers, right? ;) And though love may take a while, lust is always fleeting. ;) Yeah, this is going to be a long ride.. Please review! I'd love to hear your feedback!