[Ryukyu and Kyokusan are OC]
Cool You Play Too
Sakura knocked on Kakashi's door. She knew she was crossing a line going to his home but something had to be done. She still believed that Sasuke was making a huge mistake.
"Sakura," Kakashi answered the door. She wasn't expecting him to be fully outfitted in his Kage gear this time of night. For a moment her curiosity peaked again yet another mystery surrounding her teacher just how he looked in his own home. He was dressed as if he expected to go out into the field. Sakura's face fell in disappointment.
"Sorry to bother you but I'm sure you know about Sasuke by now," Sakura questioned.
"Yes the meeting clarified things," Kakashi said. It was a bit of a shock to him that Sakura would come to his home. He was so used to meeting at the Hokage tower or training fields. Standing in the doorway he realized he didn't invite her in and started to say something when she continued.
"So who is calling the shots on this, are the Gokage really going to let Sasuke leave and go to the Otogakure," Sakura asked.
"I'm surprised by it and by how little we know about this plan but there are some pretty capable Shinobi at the forefront of this plan," Kakashi said.
"So no one is going to stop him and in the middle of all these attacks on our villages," Sakura asked. It wasn't just Sasuke she was concerned about. Karin was a friend now and Sakura wanted nothing more than for Sasuke, Karin and Miyako to live together in the village as a family.
"Sakura I know you put blinders on when thinking of people sometimes. You narrow your focus without thinking sometimes," Kakashi said.
"Oh," Sakura said realizing she was doing it again relying on others too much. Sasuke and Karin had their own problems. The whole village was on edge and here she was harping on him to do something about Sasuke who volunteered to leave once again. She looked around the porch of Kakashi's home waiting and trying to think of something more to ask. Things weren't going as she thought; she believed that Kakashi would take action somehow. As things stood now it seemed as if he was willing to accept Sasuke's abandoning the village.
"Do you want to come in," Kakashi asked interrupting her thoughts.
"Um, no I'm sorry to bother you," Sakura said. There really was no point in her staying if Kakashi wouldn't help her get Sasuke back to the village where he belonged.
"You're no bother Sakura. Don't worry too much about Sasuke. He has powerful friends," Kakashi said. She didn't doubt this but dropped the subject altogether thinking her visit might not be a complete loss.
"How is Hanare," Sakura asked remembering that she was in Kakashi's home.
"She could use some distraction why don't you see for yourself," Kakashi opened the door.
Sakura walked in. Kakashi led her to the kitchen area as she admired the décor of the house.
000
Hanare looked noticeably tired as she busied herself cutting vegetables in the kitchen. Despite the lack of sleep she smiled as Kakashi and Sakura came into the kitchen.
"Hello Sakura," Hanare greeted setting the knife down.
"Sakura is paying us a visit. I should get going so I'll let you talk," Kakashi said.
Hanare rounded the counter and stood on her toes to kiss him goodbye.
"Don't be gone too long," she whispered.
Sakura looked away feeling like she was intruding somehow. After never seeing her Sensei's face all these years, seeing it took some adjustment for her.
"What brings you around, Sakura," Hanare asked.
"Honestly I came here to ask about Sasuke leaving the village. I figured I'd see how you were since I was here already," Sakura said.
"Hungry," Hanare asked.
"A little but I've been so worried I haven't really wanted to eat much," Sakura answered.
"It's not just Sasuke your worried about," Hanare said. It was more of an observation than a question. Sakura seemed surprised. Hanare walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. Sakura followed and sat in the chair opposite her.
"I'm that obvious," Sakura asked. She dipped a leaf of broccoli in the sauce and munched on it. Her child definitely needed the calories and this snack was just what she needed.
"Years of training. Sometimes it isn't necessary to use any special jutsu to know a persons worries or fears. The more you know about your mark the better the mission will go," Hanare said.
"Not to get off the subject but do you miss your work as a spy," Sakura asked.
"The best way I can answer that is to simply say no," Hanare replied and laughed a little at the question.
"You know something don't you," Sakura asked surprised.
"Yes," Hanare answered. From the beginning she decided to be honest with the people she considered her family. She didn't want to go further down this line of questioning because it would jeopardize her mission. Thankfully Sakura did not continue down that path.
"It's alright I understand that you can't talk about it. I'd like your opinion on something else," Sakura said.
"My opinion about Sasuke," Hanare said arching an eyebrow.
"He's always so comfortable on his own that it scares me when you know…it bothers me that he can be gone for so long," Sakura said.
"I'd think that Karin likely feels the same," Hanare said.
"I know that if it were Naruto I would feel the same. It has always been that way with the both of them. I'm always worrying and that is no good. I would punch Sasuke if I could for the way he left Karin," Sakura said.
"That does sound complicated," Hanare said.
"It is selfish but I want Sasuke in the village for Karin because I know Naruto will not leave Karin alone and I want all Naruto's time. Also no one wants to see Hinata all alone and her family is one thing but with everyone else married and having children around her she'll…I don't know what she'll do but there are so many people demanding Naruto's time and I feel jealous," Sakura confessed.
"Jealousy is natural," Hanare said.
"I'm not even sure that it is all jealousy. I am really concerned especially now with everything happening with Ino and the others. These are dangerous times and we shouldn't be alone," Sakura said.
"No of course not but Naruto can be there as a friend to Hinata, Karin and even Ino just the way he always has," Hanare said.
"Do you think of Kakashi as your soul mate," Sakura asked a little more than interested in Kakashi's secretive love life.
"I don't have to think it just is. If anyone else can love him more I would step out of the way in a heartbeat. Naruto would do the same for you. The thing is Naruto knows there is not another woman out there who could understand him the way you do. You're the only one that can love him for who he is," Hanare replied.
"How could you know all that simply by seeing us together," Sakura asked.
"It is almost like looking at a mirror," Hanare said.
"Interesting. I just always heard it said and the word surrounds us so I'm really starting to believe it despite any challenges or problems we have," Sakura said.
"There is no one strong enough or…," Hanare blushed and added, "pretty enough that can challenge Kakashi. I am that person for him."
"You must see a lot of people who are soul mates," Sakura said grinning.
"No it is rare," Hanare replied.
"It seems really common in Konoha," Sakura said.
"I suppose you are right…it does seem that way at least. At the same time there are a lot of people out there that love each other but this is something else. Nothing I can say will convince you. One day you'll just realize that the connection you have with this person is special," Hanare said.
"There really isn't anyone prettier out there for him," Sakura said.
They both laughed.
"I haven't been sleeping a lot; it may be causing me to say crazy things. You really don't need any advice from me. If anyone knows you guys well its Sasuke," Hanare said.
"Sasuke and Naruto still see Sakura the girl who had a crush on Sasuke I suppose. Whenever he did something I guess I always considered Sasuke first. Add to that Naruto was always doing something stupid and Sasuke seemed so cool back then. I know it sounds so childish but I'm not a little girl anymore," Sakura said.
"I always wanted to compete with them. To be better than them at fighting. No way would I let some stupid boy steal my spotlight…That is what I thought for a while or at least what I told myself. Problem is you develop crushes so everything they do seems cool," Hanare said smiling.
"Kakashi Sensei is the only one you remember," Sakura asked.
"He's the only one cool enough to remember," Hanare laughed.
"You just erased everyone," Sakura said.
"For the village I couldn't hold onto information that could let our secrets out. At the same time I worked alone most of the time connections to others were damaging to a spy," she answered.
"Sai had a picture book when we figured out his connections. His dreams, hopes and memories were evident in that book. No matter what he told us I knew that no one can totally cut off their past," Sakura said.
"That is true. I'll show you something," Hanare said and got up from the table.
Sakura followed after her. At the end of the hall was a room overlooking the eastern horizon. The view was amazing. Inside a cacophony of musical instruments lined the wall. Several music boxes lined shelves and a couple of instruments Sakura knew were for decoration. Leaning against the wall Hanare picked up a Samisen (long-neck flat bellied lute).
"You play all of these," Sakura asked.
"The sound you hear with your ear can be copied on any of these instruments. One of the first things I used my ability for was to learn to read music. There was a traveling musician I met when I was young. Ryukyu was his name and he could play just about any instrument. I fell in love with the sounds and the feeling of music immediately," Hanare said.
"You remember this man Ryukyu," Sakura wondered aloud.
"I thought of him as a Sensei," Hanare added.
"Wow I never knew you loved music this much," Sakura said. She hadn't had this much of a distraction in quite some time and she was enjoying their conversation.
"When I traveled as a musician no one questioned it. My love for music was evident. Some Shinobi pretend to be farmers but the trick is some really are farmers. Ryukyu wasn't a Shinobi he was strictly about music. He gave me this," Hanare held out the instrument.
Sakura looked at the instrument closer and said, "Its broken does it still work?"
"Kakashi held onto this. I don't know the details I never bothered to ask but he gave this to me as an anniversary gift. It just sits here. I have others but this was the one I had when Konoha Shinobi caught me back then," Hanare said.
"So we are back to talking about Sensei. What does this prove about remembering the crushes in your past," Sakura said.
Blushing Hanare said, "Well Ryukyu had a son."
"You can't just leave some one hanging when you tell a story like that. What was he like," Sakura asked setting down the instrument.
"I'm a little thirsty. Would you like anything to drink," Hanare asked.
Sakura frowned thinking Hanare was going to drop the subject. For some reason she wanted to know about Ryukyu's son.
"Well I'd much rather hear about how you and Kakashi Sensei got together and more about Kaka-
"You know how secretive he is. So no I won't talk about him," Hanare frowned and looked down at the cups in her hand.
"Does Kakashi Sensei know about this crush you had," Sakura asked.
"Maybe," Hanare said and called over her shoulder, "offer still stands for tea."
Hanare walked out of the music room to make tea. Sakura followed after.
"Maybe," Sakura said, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"He definitely knows about Kyokusan but I'm not sure how much," Hanare said.
"Should he be concerned…maybe," Sakura asked.
"He has nothing to worry about Kyokusan is a married man with many children. He's moved on and is taking good care of his father's business," Hanare said quickly.
"I still want to know your story. Kyokusan wasn't a Ninja but he must have seemed cool because you loved music. I think I'm starting to get it but go on tell me your story," Sakura said sitting at the table.
Hanare thought about a day not long ago. A time when she figured it was time to move on in life. Transition from her life as a spy and try to find happiness.
000
Sipping tea Hanare began to tell her tale to an eager Sakura. Following along and sipping tea as well Sakura imagined the spy Hanare had been.
Hanare happily looked around at all the instruments in the shop. Kyokusan moved from the back of the store and happily scooped Hanare in hug.
"Put me down," Hanare complained.
"There is no law against hugs. Hugs are good," Kyokusan said setting her down on her feet.
Ryukyu made his way from the back offices with a package in his hand. A smile settled on his features as he looked at his customer.
"So it's you we've missed you're voice and humorous song," Ryukyu said to Hanare.
"Don't be such a stranger next time," Kyokusan said.
"I apologize to you both," Hanare said.
"Life on the road must be crazy fun and just look at you beautiful as ever," Ryukyu said.
His look made her blush and the description made her smile.
"Don't be shy," Kyokusan said. A phrase he said to everyone. It was his way of saying 'how are you.'
She laughed and said, "The shop looks nice. I actually did come for something but I am also glad to see you two."
"Well don't mind my son. I'm sure he has better things to do. What brings you here," Ryukyu said and led her away from Kyokusan.
"I was wondering if you have any string," Hanare said.
"For that," Ryukyu pointed at the instrument hanging from her back.
"Yes," she replied.
"I have just the thing," Ryukyu said and disappeared behind the counter.
"Will you be staying long this time," Kyokusan asked.
"Only a week or so," Hanare replied.
"There is an opening in my band for a voice such as yours," Kyokusan said.
"I really can't," she said.
"There's someone else," he asked softly.
Before she could reply Ryukyu interrupted them.
"Here we go," Ryukyu said holding out the package of strings for Hanare.
Hanare thanked him and the old man made his way back to stocking items. Kyokusan rang up the item at the cash register. Silently thanking his father for letting him have some time alone with Hanare.
"Before saying no so fast…I understand you don't want to be involved with me romantically. I understand but this opportunity to travel with the band could be fun," Kyokusan said.
"I will think about it but I'm really a solo act," Hanare said.
"I understand," Kyokusan said handing her the bag with her purchase.
"That's the best you can do," Ryukyu called out.
"Dad stop listening," Kyokusan said.
Hanare's cheeks felt heated now.
"I'll see you then," Hanare said.
Kyokusan came from behind the counter and walked her to the door of the shop.
"Don't be a stranger," Ryukyu called out.
Hanare waved to both of them and made promises to keep in touch.
Sakura imagined having a passion for music and being a Kunoichi would be fun. She could almost picture seeing the world while playing her songs but the story ended too soon for her.
000
Hanare finished the story and smiled in remembrance.
"That's all," Sakura asked.
"We did go on that tour. It was fun," Hanare said standing.
"So you leave out the real good parts of the story," Sakura said following after her.
Kakashi came into the house and was a little surprised that Sakura was still there.
"Leave out what good parts of what story," he blushed hoping that Hanare wasn't discussing him or worse yet his books.
At his look of embarrassment Hanare erupted in laughter.
"What is so funny," Kakashi asked.
"We were talking about crushes. Did you have a crush on anyone when you were young Sensei," Sakura asked.
"Well…um there was…a…," Kakashi stammered.
"You are too easy to tease," Hanare said and started cleaning her teacups.
"Wow it's getting late. Goodbye you two and thank you for the tea and snacks," Sakura said waving as she made her way out of the house. Her goal to get Sasuke back in Konoha would have to wait and Hanare's stories were just the distraction she needed to get on with the day.
Sakura felt that she was being unfair to Naruto at this point by worrying about Sasuke. If there was anything that could be done to change things of course Naruto would do so she thought as she headed home. I just can't put that kind of burden on him again.