Chapter Nine:
When It Was Me
"What makes her your every dream and fantasy?"
Sakura sighed heavily as her and Hinata were walking on a street down from Ichiraku. She was dragging her feet annoyingly while Hinata followed slowly behind her.
"Well, for the most part...she seems to be doing a little better." Hinata spoke softly, eyes glued to the street ahead of her. They were talking about the Hokage and Jiraiya...
Sakura shook her head, eyes ahead of her as well. "It's an act. She pretends to be okay so nobody asks her about it. But she's still bummed out. And nobody can blame her. Naruto's the same way. I just wish I could help more...with both of them."
Hinata sped up a bit to walk next to Sakura. She gave her a sympathetic look. "But Sakura, you're doing all you can. Sometimes you can only do so much." She smiled softly and then looked ahead of her. Her long hair swayed back and forth.
"Yeah but I don't want this to be one of those times! I can't let it be!" She spoke more lively, looking up from the ground. She looked at the buildings on her right that broke and ended every once in a while. The alleyways looked cold and empty until you reached the end, where people were bustling all over. She scanned the walls of buildings until she came to the alleyways and took long looks down them at the mothers with children, and the shinobi walking around enjoying their breaks.
Everything looked so normal.
But it wasn't.
"You help them more than you know." Hinata's sincere voice broke into her thoughts and she smiled softly.
Maybe...but...
And then they came to an alleyway. As she peered through she seen something a little surprising...Naruto and Kalei standing in the street right outside of Ichiraku. Both of their faces were serious, while Naruto's just look unamused...Kalei's expression looked sad. As always.
Sakura's smiled vanished from her face and she peered down the empty alley, stopping. Hinata stopped as well and glanced down to see the same thing.
"See, Naruto doesn't tell me anything anymore. He tells her everything." Sakura replied bitterly. Hinata examined the two conversing in the road. Every once in a while their picture was broken by people who walked in front of them.
"Well...she ishis everything." Hinata countered, her voice bittersweet. She glanced at Sakura, who's lips were drawing into a tight line, and then glanced back at the couple down the crevice. Kalei wasn't in her usual ANBU uniform. She was in a tight black tank top with long black gloves that went all the way up past her elbows to the base of the shinobi tattoo on her left arm. Along with that she was wearing a short, light blue skirt and black boots that went up to her knee's. Obviously, she was on her day off...probably on a date with Naruto. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail with a light blue ribbon dangling down.
She looked pretty.
And Sakura didn't like that.
She bit her lip and groaned a bit. Hinata sighed and scratched her head. "I didn't mean that actually. I just meant...aren't they having troubles?" She asked sweetly, trying to detour Sakura's annoyance.
But Sakura shrugged sharply and glared at Kalei then looked away. "I don't know. I know that he tries to talk to her all the time. He's so good to her...but it doesn't really seem to help much. She's always such a-"
"Sakura!" Hinata exclaimed, making Sakura jump and look at her. "I don't think Naruto would like you feeling that way about her. You know that!" She continued, raising her arms to her chest. She still had the habit of trying to create a barrier around herself when things got uncomfortable.
Sakura sighed and nodded. "You're right." She turned to look back at the two.
Now Naruto was smiling a bit, and one hand was holding hers across from each other while the other was raised above his head, scratching.
Sakura felt this weird feeling shoot down her spine.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?"
Sakura glanced at Hinata as she spoke. She was smiling sadly at Naruto and Kalei. She hadn't really gotten over Naruto. And if this was weird for Sakura...it must really hurt her. But before Sakura could speak, she heard a male voice from behind her.
"Of course, look at her. She's got baby blue eyes, long silky black hair all down her back-"
Sakura glanced over her shoulder to see Taru standing behind her...eyes closed, a satisfied smirk on his face, with one arm raised as if to hand her the details. She couldn't help but glare at him. "She's even done some acting...and she weighs like a hundred pounds. She's a damn good shinobi too."
Sakura rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her. "So the hell what." She snapped, making Hinata flinch. Taru snickered softly behind her. After she realized she made herself sound like a total fool, she turned her head sharply and gave out a 'hmph'. "Well, I guess that she's all right...if, you know...perfections what you like." She grumbled.
Hinata sighed beside her and Taru shook his head. "You're strange. Disliking her is one thing but...spying on her and Naruto? Can you say jealous?"
Sakura's eyes shot open as he walked in front of her into the alley a bit. He leaned against the wall opposite her as she stormed up to him. "No, I'm not." She spoke fiercly, causing Taru to smirk at her once more.
"I just asked if you could say it. Not if you were."
Her cheeks grew a bright red. Stop freaking out, Sakura!
"But, if you're flat out admitting it-"
"Shut up, Taru." She interrupted quietly, biting her lip.
Hinata let out a whimper as she noticed Sakura growing testy. Taru simply smiled at her, enjoying her being flustered.
"Oh relax...relax. Eventually you won't hate her. It just takes time." He replied calmly pulling at the chain on his neck. He was in a short sleeve, white shirt with tan shorts on and his shiny silver chain drooping down his neck.
Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. "I never said I hated her...but if I did...I can hold a grudge for a long time." She said, her eyes piercing his. But he just shook his head and crinkled his nose.
"Naaahh. Look at me...I never liked you when I met you, but I got to know you...and check it out!" His words surprised Sakura, making her eyes grow wide. He leaned in closer to her and faintly said the rest. "I can't hate you anymore."
She just blinked a couple times as his lips slowly curled up. "You...hated...me?" She asked curiously. He pulled back and nodded.
"Long story." He replied simply. He glanced down the alleyway and Sakura's gaze followed. Both Naruto and Kalei were gone now, and here they were...arguing, or whatever...about the two. Sakura looked back and Taru chuckled a bit and ran his hand through his long, messy hair. Sakura raised an eyebrow.
Why did he hate me?
"Umm...It's about time I got home. You two will be okay?" Hinata interrupted. Sakura turned and smiled at her.
"Of course. What about you?" She asked. But she wasn't just asking in general. She was talking about Naruto...and Hinata knew that. After a moment, she nodded and turned to walk off, leaving Taru and Sakura standing alone in a cold, empty alleyway.
How not romantic.
Sakura turned to glare at Taru, who now was whistling to himself.
"Why did you come here and praise Kalei? And why are you being so smiley...and why did you hate me?" She rattled off the words while he shot her a satiric smile.
"I didn't come here to praise her, I came here to tell you...she's been bumped up in ranks."
Sakura's mouth fell open. Taru's face turned serious.
"Yep. When you told me that the old lady mentioned something about Sasuke 'working under' Kalei...well, turns out she bumped her up to an ANBU Captain, and Sasuke is one of her team members...along with Naruto."
Now she felt as though she had swallowed her tongue.
"Tragic, yes. So unfair. Will you survive?" His mocking tone made her shake her head in disbelief, while her mouth was still open. But she found her tongue again...and her anger.
"Why the hell are the teams being so messed with? This is all Sasuke's fault!" She threw both her hands into her hair and tugged a bit. Taru stood up straight and started to walk out of the alleyway. Once he reached the end he turned and looked back at her.
"Calm down." Was all he said.
And then they heard a small 'oomph' from what sounded like a little girl. Taru looked to his right and a look of confusion settled on his face. Actually, it looked more like he was trying not to laugh. Sakura looked at him and then walked out of the alley next to him to see a small girl lying face down on the street. Her arms were splayed out to her sides and her hair was tangled around her head.
Sakura just stared for a second until the girl slowly pushed herself up on her knee's and looked up at the two. The little girl stared at them for a bit, and then gave them a big smile. She had long dark blue hair and dark blue eyes. She was a cute kid and looked a bit familiar...but the dirt on her face didn't help at all.
"Hi!" The little girl exclaimed happily, her voice nasally and cheery. Sakura just raised her eyebrows, surprised that even though the child had just smacked her face to the floor, she was still smiling. She looked about 8 years old, but she wasn't really sure.
The little girl slowly stood up and took a step toward Taru and Sakura.
"Hey. Have a nice trip?" Taru asked casually and cooly, causing Sakura to nudge him with her elbow.
"Are you alright?" She asked softly, smiling. The little girl smiled back and nodded.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" She spoke happily again.
Taru chuckled softly to himself. "Because you just face planted-"
"If you're hurt at all, just let me know." Sakura interrupted, her smile growing. The little girl nodded and took another step toward them. Her smile vanished from her face quickly and she looked like she was seriously observing Sakura's face.
The little girl just stared and after a moment Taru leaned down. He opened his eyes real wide and leaned close to Sakura and the girl.
"I know she's ugly but it's impolite to stare." He casually spoke again, as if stating an important fact. This time Sakura slammed her foot down on his, making him yelp and jump back. The little girl giggled and Sakura sighed, frustrated. She turned back to look at the child.
"Are you lost? How old are you?" She asked calmly, ignoring Taru's almost inaudible swearing in the background.
The little girl started twirling in circles. "I'm 7, and no I'm not lost. But thanks, pretty lady." She stopped spinning and bowed her head. She was in a dark pink summer dress that made her look like an innocent kid. Sakura nodded and watched as the girl turned and skipped off.
Wow, strange little kid.
After the girl was aways away, Sakura sighed heavily once more as Taru stumbled over to her.
"Yeah...thanks pretty lady. I think you broke my foot." Taru mumbled into her ear. He was frowning at her as she ignored him and started to walk away. "Hello?! What, no apology?!" He shouted angrily and she continued to walk off. Once she was far enough away he rolled his eyes and smirked.
Some things never change.
Taru was walking down the street, back slightly slouched, eyes to the ground. It was a little later and the sun was setting through the grey sky.
It was raining.
He was on his way back to his home after just wandering around the whole day. It was nice to have some time off. He slowly came around a corner and he glanced up once to see where he was going. Much to his surprise, he looked up again to see Sasuke walking toward him almost in the same position as him. Quickly his eyes shot down to the ground once more and they both continued walking at their own pace...their footsteps splashing through the small puddles in the rain.
And after a moment...they lined up and an awkward tension flooded the air. And in less than a second, they had passed eachother. Taru took a deep breathe and continued to walk...
"Taru Shoukei."
Taru stopped slowly as he heard Sasuke speak his name. He slowly opened his eyes, keeping his calm composure. Why did things feel so awkward around Sasuke?
Sasuke was stopped too, body tilted slightly to the side to look behind him at Taru, who's back was facing him completely.
"You and Sakura..." Sasuke voice trailed dangerously, but yet softly, to Taru's ears. He was trying to ask if him and Sakura had...something...going on. Wow, what, did he care? Taru shifted his feet a bit and dropped a foot back so his body was turned a bit to the side. He looked over his shoulder at Sasuke, their eyes meets instantaneously.
"She's a little too good for me..." Taru mumbled with a giant grin on his face.
Of course her and I are just friends.
Sasuke's eyes widened a bit. Taru's smile faded a bit.
"...like she's a little too good for you." Taru finished, making the corner of Sasuke's lip raise. Taru shrugged and turned around to keep walking in the rain. He didn't really want anymore awkward encounters like that with the Uchiha.
And Sasuke turned around and continued walking himself.
He couldn't help himself.
He had to ask.
Sakura's drudged her feet through the puddles as she walked aimlessly through the rain. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to go home. So here she was, letting her feet carry her somewhere her mind was unaware of. She let the rain soak her clothes and it sent chills down her spine. She had picked a small sakura branch off a tree by the side of the road, and was twirling it around in her fingers. It made her feel happier for some reason...
And it felt nice to just be in the rain like this...just some time away from all her problems. After all, she needed to think things through. Maybe this would help.
There was just too much to deal with...but her main focus wasn't even the most important problem...it wasn't helping Lady Tsunade.
It was Kalei.
Why the hell was she allowed to become a captain?
Sakura let out an angry breathe and looked ahead of her to see the pond...where she and Sasuke had been so many times. She felt her body go numb and quickly turned her head away. Thinking about him right now wouldn't help...but she still opened her eyes and looked back, thinking about all the times she had spent here with him...
And that's when she seem somebody sitting on the ledge. Over the period of time Sasuke had been gone, they had cemented a ledge around the pond, planning on creating a park near the area. And somebody was sitting on the ledge right in front of her with his or her feet dangling a bit into the water.
Funny how she could have missed the person there.
Sakura continued to walk forward until she noticed who it was. Her heart stopped.
Kalei.
She was just sitting on the ledge, being drowned out by the rain. Her eyes were staring at the water so cold and lost...it was almost depressing. Her hair was pasted to her back and her skirt was sticking to the cement around her.
Sakura swallowed hard and took a few more steps quietly until she stood just a few feet behind and off to the right of Kalei. She never moved her eyes from her.
Why was she out here in the rain?
"If you've come here to argue...I'm really not interested."
Kalei's sardonic tone echoed through the rain, making Sakura feel a sting in her chest.
Kalei's chest slowly moved back and forth, like she was just focusing on breathing. Her eyes watched the ruffling water being pelted by the raindrops, when all of a sudden she seen a sakura branch fall into the water in front of her. Her eyes slowly widened.
"You know, the rain's not so bad...once you get used to it." Sakura uttered delicately. She had tossed the sakura branch into the water, watching it get absorbed by the raindrops. She looked up at the pond, taking in the movement of the waves.
Kalei watched the petals detach one by one. After a while she bit her lip and sighed.
"I guess...congratulations." Sakura spoke again.
Kalei shifted a bit from where she was sitting.
Awkward silence.
"You'll...be working with Sasuke..." Sakura's voice grew softer with the pounding rain. She wanted so bad to warn Kalei about how Sasuke had changed. She wasn't sure what Kalei knew or didn't know...but before she could even make sense of the words in her head...she started speaking. "So I just want you to know-"
"Why don't you ever learn?"
Kalei's harsh tone cut Sakura's words off her lips. Her eyes shot to Kalei immediately, feeling defensive. But Kalei's expression never changed.
"He didn't come back. You brought him here. So, getting close to anyone is the last thing on his mind. And mine. So save your warnings."
And if was almost as if she had hit the nail on the head. Sakura paused, and after a moment slowly nodded. Kalei was right. She actually was.
"And spend a little more time finding your purpose and you'll be right up here with me. Actually, it should be you anyway." Kalei said, a faint smile drifting across her lips. But her eyes never moved from the water. Sakura kept her focus on Kalei, thinking about her words. Was she trying to be encouraging...or what?
Whatever. It just felt so...how did...it all seemed so wrong. Kalei used to be her friend...and now she...hated her?
Instantly, her tone grew hostile and she spoke, "Kalei...I just want you to know that I ha-" And that was it. She couldn't even finish the sentence. She wanted to...
At least she thought she did...
But she couldn't.
"Miss Hitsuchi, I found something on the side of the street. Thought it might be yours."
Sakura turned around to see Lady Tsunade and some child standing a few feet behind her. And the child looked familiar...it was that girl...
That little girl from earlier.
Kalei put her hand behind her and leaned back to look at Tsunade and the kid as well. Her eyes widened and she started to look upset.
"I'm sorry, Lady Hokage." Her monotone voice sounded.
Tsunade shrugged and rested her hand on the little girls' shoulder. The child had her head down, eyes closed...and a look of shame engraved on her face. "I'm sorry...big sister..."
Sakura felt a wave of shock grasp her. That girl, no wonder she looked familiar! Kiako! Kiako...Kalei's little sister. Why hadn't she ever seen her before?!
Kalei stood up silently and took a step forward. Sakura was completely caught daydreaming when Kalei thrust her hand in front of her, sakura branch outstretched. Sakura eyed it curiously and then grabbed it gently, wondering why Kalei was giving it to her.
"Something so beautiful should not go to waste." Was her answer. Sakura held the flower as the petals slowly came off, and Kalei walked up to Tsunade and Kiako. She lightly poked Kiako in the forehead and bowed her head in apology to the Hokage.
"Kalei, I'll walk you two home. We need to talk, anyways." Tsunade replied. Her eyes met Sakura's quickly and she gave her a small smile and nod, and then turned to walk off with Kalei and the child. Sakura felt a pang of jealousy rise from her chest once again.
Why did it seem like Kalei was...taking everything from her?
With his elbows on the rail of the cement balcony, he slouched forward a bit, sighed heavily. His eyes were straight up into the sky, taking in the dark clouds releasing the rain.
If he's dead...why does he still haunt me?
Sasuke groaned a bit under his breathe and shifted over to his other elbow. He glanced down to the street way below him, and surprising, seen Sakura walking down it very slowly. She had her eyes on some flower in her hand, never looking up. He could see her basically drenched in the rain. He shifted back onto the other elbow and leaned a bit more into the railing so he could look down better. What was Sakura doing out so late in this kind of weather?
His bangs clung to his face as raindrops slid off his nose. His eyes never left the view of Sakura he had.
"She's a little too good for me."
He thought about Taru. He remembered the way he looked at Sakura that day in his house.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that look.
He knew, because at one point, it was the same one he gave Sakura.
"...like she's a little too good for you."
He was right.
But I don't care.
Sasuke kept repeating that in his head, but for some reason...it didn't make any sense. Before he knew it, he was smirking.
She's a little too good for me...but I'm getting better.
He reached into his pocket...
Sakura examined the flower in her hand, daydreaming about the past year. Everything was a blur now that she put it together.
All of a sudden she heard a tiny splash as something shot down the view in front of her. She blinked a couple times as she was thrown from her thoughts and looked down at a puddle right in front of her. Naturally, she looked up at the balconies of the building to her side, but they were all empty.
Oh please...whatever this is...it didn't fall from the sky.
A look of confused settled on her face and she returned her gaze to the puddle. Something was shining in it, so she took a step forward and bent down to grab it.
Once she got a grip of it...it started to look familiar...and she felt her face go pale.
She flipped over the circular emblem...
It was the necklace...
The necklace Sasuke had given her a year ago...and taken away from her just days earlier. The rubies sparkled from the dim streetlight and it made her mouth go dry.
He was up there, wasn't he? Watching over her...
But why did he give her back the necklace?
She felt the emblem over with her fingers, catching her breathe again.
All of a sudden, things felt even more confusing...
But nonetheless...deep inside...
He still could make her everything all right.
Next Chapter
Maybe It's Still There