Entry no. 16: Excuses

Part of the Red AU, KakaSaku.

To akirasatsuna: It does, right? Hmm, I wonder if someone will stop being lazy and finally make it one... BTW, when i wrote Ino's death, I really thought it was far too... how to put it... detached? No emotions in it?

Still for my followers, readers and this time especially for the guy I like, 'cause I just feel like it... ;P

Res, quae perduntur, centena valere feruntur.

Kakashi, you bastard…

Sakura clutched the pleat of her dress tightly.

Why did you have to die?

She looked up at the candles and white flowers scattered around a photo of her sensei, with his name inscribed below it.

Hatake Kakashi.

He was the last, last thing she had.

The Copy-nin.

Man of thousand jutsus.

Man of thousand excuses, according to Tsunade-sama.

Kakashi.

Kakashi and his excuses.

Sakura still remembered the first one, the one she always, even when he came with even worse ones, claimed to be the stupidest one ever.

Sorry, but a black cat crossed my way, so I had to take the long way.

Tsunade walked up on a pedestal, ready to say few words about the deceased.

Sorry I'm late. I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life.

Sakura bit her lip.

Hope you won't got lost on the path to afterlife, sensei.

"Hatake Kakashi was one of the best Konoha had…"

He was. And despite all the ruckus his name could cause, he didn't seem that it got to his head.

Though, well… he did decide to read his book when Naruto attacked him during the pass or fail test.

He was unobtrusively arrogant.

That was the term.

"… and one of the brightest."

One had to have quick thinking when he had to excuse late arrivals as often as Kakashi did.

Sakura knew what they meant now, of course.

Not long before he died, they met at the memorial stone.

She was there to mourn for all of her comrades that died, and found Kakashi there, drowning in his own sorrow as he used to there.

It felt as if some of the weight was lifted from her shoulder when they stood there together, side by side.

She almost made him talk to her about his grief, but then, when she asked him out for a tea, he said…

I'm afraid I can't, Sakura. I think I left my fridge opened at home.

And he vanished with those words, leaving her alone, but not sad.

It was refreshing, funny almost.

How they were sometimes so alike.

Thinking out excuses to lock themselves up with their pains and worries, so they won't have to share them.

Kakashi.

Why did you leave me alone again?

That's really not funny.

She could still see his face, the last smirk, last excuse, last long, empty stare.

Sorry I'm leaving so soon, Sakura. I'd really love to fight another day, but I'm afraid Naruto needs me to set right some mess he did up there.

Idiot.

Those were stupid words he chose to be his last.

She had to smile anyway, the smile seemingly misplaced on her face covered with blood, dirt and tears.

They are now together.

Everyone she loved was now beyond, waiting for her to join them.

Her mom. Her dad. Sasuke. Naruto. Lee. Ino. Kakashi…

"He could sometimes be a bother…"

Sakura smiled bitterly.

Hokage-sama couldn't deny her personality. She just had to preach Kakashi one last time.

That was something she admired about her.

And Kakashi being a bother?

She would have him no other way.

Watching Kakashi's photo again, she swallowed hard.

Sensei.

Thank you for everything.

I will remember you.

For your stupid excuses, for your strength, for everything you've done for us.

And when someone will ask me what your last words were, I won't lie to them.

But for me your last words will be what you said before the battle.

"I love you, Sakura."

She shook as her chuckle mixed with sobs.

Their last proper conversation.

"It's finally here, sensei. You said it. A suicide mission."

"You won't believe how many I've already gone through. But still, any last words?"

"Of course. I hate ramen. Take this, Naruto. … Yours, Kakashi-sensei?"

"… I love you, Sakura."

"What?"

"… um… what did you say?"

"What?"

"What what?"

"Kakashi…"

"What's wrong?"

"You know all too well what's wrong."

"No I don't."

"We just talked about it!"

"Really? Oh, I'm sorry, I zoned out for a while."

"…Kakashi…"

Lost things are said to be hundred times more valuable. – Walther