Chapter Three: Chocolate Cake
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The temperature had dropped during the class, but it wasn't too bad if she focused on walking quickly. The train station wasn't that far and now with the stranger — her baking instructor— in step beside her, she was walking as briskly as possible.
Was he going to chide her about her tardiness? She wasn't going to argue, but she was on time. Besides, Shisui said the class was supposed to be for funsies.
"Here," Kakashi said, shocking off his leather bomber jacket and draping it over Sakura's shoulders and then a soft beanie covered her hair.
The sudden rush of heat from the jacket , caused Sakura to instantly slow her pace in sudden appreciation. She clutched at the front of the jacket and looked up at him, he was watching her carefully, his winter mask covering the lower part of his face, his long-sleeved shirt and fingerless gloves making him look much more weather-conscious than her.
"Thanks for that. I didn't realize it would get so cold. It was in the seventies earlier today," Sakura murmured.
Kakashi gave her an eye-smile and she found herself smiling back. "No problem. I can't have my little students getting ill. Are you interested in extra-credit?"
"Extra credit?" Sakura's brow furrowed. "I thought the class was ungraded."
"I have to go to the market on Monday and purchase the supplies for the next class. I could use some company," Kakashi continued, as if she hadn't questioned his motives.
"I appreciate you walking me," Sakura said, "and the jacket. And I'm sorry I was tardy. Why are you taking a special interest in me?"
Kakashi shoved his hands into his jeans front pockets. "Because Shisui talks about you all the time. We were roommates in college."
"Why were you wearing the mask in class?" Sakura asked, gesturing towards his face and the black, form fitting mask over his lower face. She'd seen similar masks before on runners during the height of allergy season.
"I have a sensitivity to smell," Kakashi answered vaguely. He glanced down her again and she noticed the scar on the left side of his face was fairly deep indicating a violent past for someone with such a relaxed air about him.
"So I recognized you and Genma from the Firefighter's calendar. Is that why you didn't want people to know each other's occupation? Don't want your students to ogle you?" Sakura asked, a tease in her tone.
Kakashi laughed. "No, I just find that people tend to identify too much with their job and not their own individual interests. I'm trying to teach that lesson as well." He met her gaze again. "I didn't like when people only thought about me for my occupation prior to my current employment."
Sakura wondered what he did before he joined the Fire Department. She suspected military. Discreetly she sniffed the inside of his jacket's collar.
"You're smelling my jacket," Kakashi breathed out in a laugh. "You must be getting over a pretty bad breakup."
"Guess I wasn't as sneaky as I thought," Sakura grumbled, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "It's probably what I miss most about being part of a relationship. The small things that show someone cares about you."
"Friends can care about you too, Sakura." Kakashi opened the door to the train station and escorted her all the way to the turnstile.
She took off the jacket and held it out for him. "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei."
He gave her another one of those eye-smiles. "I kind of like that name. I'll probably see you around. I tend to be accident prone," Kakashi joked, gesturing towards the facial scar she noticed earlier. "So, you'll help with the ingredients on Monday?"
"I—," Sakura hesitated. Would it just be the two of them? It would be something to look forward to and would keep her out of her apartment where every where she looked reminded her of her ex.
"I'm planning to strong-arm Itachi into tagging along," Kakashi added, sweetening the deal.
Sakura raised her eyebrow at that. "He doesn't strike me as the type to be strong-armed into anything."
Kakashi reached over and adjusted the green beanie he'd shoved over her hair earlier. "I've had practice. I was his old team Captain from back in the day. How else would a guy like that sign up for a baking class?" He smiled again. "You keep that beanie. I have practically a dozen at home."
Sakura ran her fingertips over the soft material, noting the crochet knots. "Did Itachi make it for you?"
Kakashi nodded. "Meet me at the Farmer's Market over on Shinobi Lane, three o'clock on Monday."
After passing the turnstile, Sakura looked back once more to see Kakashi giving her a backwards wave, lifting his hand in farewell without even looking back, as if he sensed her eyes on him. What a peculiar man? She couldn't wait to tell Ino and Tenten about him. .
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OoO
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It was Saturday night, usually a very busy time at the hospital. This week Sakura was working the night shift 7pm until 7 am. She was just hoping to make it through the next few hours. Then she'd have three days off to be able to catch up on sleep, maybe read that trashy book series Ino dropped off the other day when she was in the neighborhood. And there was laundry, piles of it. She didn't understand why it constantly was in need of washing — she wore scrubs most of the time! At least in the past, her ex had hung out with her on laundry day and it wasn't so bad folding up towels and putting away her things when he'd been there to help. No one ironed a shirt quite like Sasuke Uchiha. But that made sense, he was an officer and always looked dashing in his freshly steamed uniform.
And dammit, she missed his tragically handsome, overly-serious face —even if it had been creased in a scowl half the time as he was easily irritated. She had thought they made a good couple. And when it was just the two of them — they worked. But she started pressing to meet each other's family and spend time with mutual friends. Eventually, her nagging led to the breakup.
Their goals were different. She wanted a life-partner, someone to go on new adventures with as well as snuggle up together on the couch while reading individual books. He wanted someone to hold at night and to ignore during the day.
Maybe she was a little neurotic and her pantry had been arranged 'just so' and her clothing were categorized by weather appropriate as well as color-schemed, and she had an entire closet dedicated to shoes even though she tended to wear the same three for everything. And she'd started to talk about wanting a cat and he was vehemently against having pets — something about being traumatized by his brother's cat when they'd been children.
It was a little after midnight when the teenager hobbled through the ER on foot with two gunshot wounds. Konohamaru Sarutobi — grandson of the former village leader.
She stabilized him and when she was washing up, the man she'd been thinking about earlier showed up in all his navy blue, perfectly pressed police uniform glory. As fate would have it, Sasuke was the officer investigating the shooting. It was standard procedure for police to be involved with shooting victims. It was the first time she'd seen him since he broke up with her. He was of course, as beautiful as ever, but the small signs of affection he used to show her were absent. He was professionally polite, so Sakura tried to be the same even though it broke her heart. "Thanks for your time, Dr Haruno."
"Not a problem, Detective Uchiha. And please, call me Sakura. I think we know each other well enough for that, even in these circumstances," she said quietly as he lingered in the doorway.
Sasuke looked at her over his shoulder and for a moment, she saw a familiar softening in his dark gaze. "When do you get off?"
Sakura studied him for a moment. Did he really want to know? Or was he just asking to talk about something.
"Seven," Sakura answered. "This is my week of night shifts." She spent two weeks out of the month working days and two weeks working nights.
Sasuke lingered at the door. "I finish my shift around then too." He seemed to be warring with himself. "I can pick you up and drop you back off home," he offered.
She took an unsteady breath. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I thought the purpose of this break was so you wouldn't have to see me." She narrowed her eyes. "I thought I was cramping your style."
Sasuke ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Don't be annoying. Maybe I don't want to marry you — at least no time soon. But we're still friends, aren't we?" He gestured towards the window, snow was falling outside. "It's freezing outside. I would feel better, if I knew you got home safe."
"I can call Shisui," Sakura said.
"Riding a motorcycle with my cousin does not make me feel better," Sasuke said with a faint scowl. "I'll be back at a quarter after seven." He lifted his hand in a farewell salute and walked away, leaving no room for argument— as was usual.
Sakura shook her head, not sure what exactly happened. She'd not seen Sasuke in two months — not since he was clear that he wanted a break. She'd avoided social media during that time as well, Ino said he was cyber stalking her from photos their mutuals posted. She doubted that. He wasn't much into social media either, not with his job.
Her lunch-break was up, so she headed back to the ER to do a round on her patients and treat any new ones.
A few hours later, she'd gone to the locker room to change into her street clothes and dropped off her scrubs to the hospital laundry. They'd be washed and sanitized and ready and waiting in her locker when she returned the next Wednesday. It was one of her favorite aspects about the hospital. Director Senju felt that this was the way to ensure staff didn't accidentally bring home any of the viruses to which they were exposed to their family.
She tugged at the sleeve of her red knit sweater and then wrapped her scarf around her neck and shrugged into her dark green winter coat. Her jeans were tucked into her boots and she started for the lobby. Sasuke was already waiting for her, his dark eyes watched her like a hawk.
Sakura felt a thrill of excitement to be on the receiving end of his gaze. He still wore his uniform, but had a long black cloak over his shoulders. There were a few snow flakes melting in his dark hair.
"You should wear your hat too," Sasuke advised.
"You're not wearing one," Sakura pointed out, gesturing to his uncovered dark head of hair.
"Hn." Sasuke responded, waiting for her to put on her hat. When he didn't want to argue he grunted. And he was stubborn. They'd stand facing each other in a stalemate until one of them caved— usually her.
Defeated, Sakura pulled out her new dark green crocheted beanie and shoved it over her hair and ears. "You win."
A faint smirk lifted the corners of his mouth. "I usually do." He eyed the crocheted hat for a moment, but said nothing.
Sakura rolled her eyes and brushed past him. She could feel his soft chuckle as he caught up and led them to his SUV. "I appreciate you doing this, Sasuke."
He shrugged. "You're on the way. And it's been a while, Rose."
"I'd prefer if you call me Sakura from now on," she answered stiffly, staring out the passenger window. "And since when am I on the way? Did you move?"
They paused at a red light. "Plumbing issue. I'm staying at my parents' house until it's resolved," Sasuke answered, tapping his hands on the steering wheel. "What have you been up to?"
"Mostly working," Sakura answered. One Happy Hour with friends and a baking class Shisui signed her up for wasn't exactly anything to brag about. And she wasn't about to tell him about her upcoming trip to the market with her baking instructor and cooking partner.
"Ah." Sasuke started driving again when the light turned green. The silence wasn't necessarily uncomfortable, but it was too familiar. It was one of the problems of their relationship. She liked to talk things out, he didn't. Sasuke cleared his throat. "I saw some photos of you online — hanging out with Yamanaka and Akimichi. It's December, why were you wearing a t-shirt?"
"At the time, it was 70 degrees F. Unlike today, when it's been hovering at 31 degrees. I had an early dinner with the girls," Sakura explained. Ino was right! He was cyber-stalking her! "Ran into Choji unexpectedly later that same night."
They fell into silence again. "Anko mentioned seeing you in her baking class," Sasuke added. He turned towards her at the next red light, his gaze scrutinizing.
Sakura laughed. "It was nice to finally put a face to her name. Between you and Shizune, I had a much different image of her in my mind."
"Why are you in a baking class? I thought you wanted nothing to do with your family's business," Sasuke asked.
"It doesn't mean I don't enjoy baking," Sakura protested. She didn't like his tone. It was his condescending, talking down to a silly girl tone. "It's not my professional calling. Besides, Shisui signed me up. He'd already paid the fee so who was I to turn down a free class?"
"Ah, Shisui," Sasuke said, with a sigh. "It's unfortunate the two of you struck up a friendship."
"Why? He's a good guy. And he runs with me early in the mornings, so you should be happy about that," Sakura answered. "Are you just upset that I ended up meeting someone from your family when you so carefully made sure I wouldn't?"
"Look, Sa-ku-ra," Sasuke said, stressing her name. "You and I are on a break. If you want to date a few other people during this time — it's your right. I'm planning to do the same. I would just prefer if you didn't date a family member— and as much as I am loath to be reminded, Shisui is my cousin."
"And here I thought you were concerned and wanted to give me a ride home in the bad weather," Sakura murmured, annoyed that this turned into another Sasuke lecture. He wanted to make sure they weren't in each other's social circle. It was like he didn't think she was worthy of knowing his friends and family.
Sasuke sighed. "Just because we're not together, doesn't mean I don't still care, Rose." He looked over at her briefly. "Sorry. Sakura."
Sakura folded her arms over her chest and watched the snow fall. They rode in silence the rest of the way until he pulled up outside her apartment building. She turned towards him. "Thanks for the ride, Sasuke. And don't worry. I'm not going to date Shisui. He and I are just friends."
She paused on the doorstep to her lobby and saw Sasuke was still waiting, making sure she got in okay. She waved at him and then hurried inside, eager to get out of the cold and out from under his narrow-eyed gaze.
Once secured in her apartment, coat hanging up and boots next to the door. Sakura took a quick, hot shower, and then collapsed onto her bed. Normally, there'd be no problem falling asleep after the end of her four day workweek. Her heart was still racing from being so close, yet so far away from Sasuke.
She could already feel the prickle of salty tears. Then her phone chimed.
She didn't recognize the number, but then she saw the history of a photo of her and Itachi from class earlier in the week with Pandy. It was a photo of a large wooden chest — it looked like something a child would use to pretend they were on a pirate treasure hunt chest. The lid was open and there was a vast assortment of amigurumi creatures nestled within.
🍡Itachi: I may have a little bit of a problem. Any ideas? Shisui said to ask you.
Sakura grinned and then saved his number under contacts. Itachi.
🌸Sakura: Either you can make a large chunk of pocket change at one of the art trade fairs or you can donate them to the children's wing at the hospital.
🍡Itachi: I didn't think about children at the hospital. How would I do that?
🌸Sakura: I'll help you. Sakura smiled at the message. Have you gotten an apron for class yet?
🍡Itachi: I have one already…..I sewed it myself last summer.
Sakura laughed. How many hobbies did Itachi have?
🌸 Sakura: Did you also woodwork that pirate's chest?
🍡Itachi: …..Yes.
🌸 Sakura: Is there anything you don't know how to do? Sakura started having full-bellied laughs. Who was this guy?
🍡Itachi: Find homes for dozens of amigurumi critters.
🌸Sakura: Good thing you know me now!
🍡Itachi: Good thing. See you Monday.…and Tuesday.
Suddenly, feeling light, Sakura fell asleep in the comfort of her apartment buried under her thick blankets, including the quilt she put together last summer. Maybe Itachi would appreciate that she made a quilt. She'd snap a photo later and send it to him. Sasuke had never appreciated her hobbies, aside from a gentle pat on the shoulder and distracted smile. He'd never wanted to visit the trade days either. And he wouldn't be caught dead doing something as domestic as grocery shopping at the market with her.
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It was close to three and Sakura did not want to be late again. Kakashi and Itachi wouldn't believe that it wasn't a character trait if she kept making a habit of tardiness.
But, then on the way to the farmer's market she saw a cute little boutique store with aprons on the mannequins in the front window. She glanced at her smart watch. She still had fifteen minutes — she'd just do a quick browse.
"Sakura?" Itachi's familiar baritone caused her to pause with her hand on the door to the boutique.
She turned around to see him standing there in a long black trench coat, another red shirt underneath with jeans that looked like they'd been painted on him. "Itachi," Sakura said, releasing the door handle and taking a step towards him. "I was just going to look at the aprons," she explained.
"You don't have one?" Itachi asked.
Sakura grimaced, thinking of the apron Naruto gave her for her birthday two years ago. "I do, but it's pink and glittery and says 'I'm a sexy bitch.' So I thought I might find something a little more class-room appropriate."
The faint smile that stretched across Itachi's handsome face was worth the embarrassing reveal. "I'll help you find something less glittery after we help Kakashi," he promised. He gestured for her to join him and started walking towards the farmer's market. "Actually, I may even have an extra apron at home — from my apron sewing phase."
"Oh? You just happened to make one in my size?" Sakura teased. "Or just made an assortment for future girlfriends?"
"Girlfriend?" Itachi looked down at her with a raised ebony eyebrow. "Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself, Sakura?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Admit it, you have a closet full of aprons to distribute to your future girlfriends and lady friends," she said jabbing Itachi in the upper arm teasingly.
He grimaced slightly. "Wow. You're stronger than you look." He raised his hand and waved towards the entrance of the farmer's market grocery store. Standing outside, perusing the herbs out front was none other than Kakashi Hatake. "Nice beanie by the way. It looks familiar," Itachi said, glancing briefly back over at Sakura. "And I don't have a closet full of aprons. I made two for my mother — a red and white polka dot one and navy and white stripped one— she picked the latter."
"I was only teasing, Itachi," Sakura assured him. She took off at a jog to catch up to Kakashi. "Good afternoon, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi graced her with a cloth-covered smile. "Glad to see you were punctual today, Sakura-chan."
"Only because I kept her from browsing the boutique down the street," Itachi answered, joining them. "Are we expected to carry the groceries or will they be delivered?"
"Delivered, thank goodness," Kakashi answered. "Onward soldiers," he teased, leading the way inside. "Should be fairly simple— butter, eggs, flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, sugar, vanilla, milk."
"What kind of eggs? And butter? And milk?" Itachi asked. "Wheat or enriched flour?"
Kakashi started for the little coffee shop attached to the farmer's market, ordered himself a drink and sat at one of the tables. "That's for you two to decide. Just bring the shopping cart back towards me when you're done so I can pay and arrange for the delivery." He propped his feet on an empty chair across from him and pulled out a bright orange book and promptly buried his face in the pages.
"Is he serious?" Sakura asked.
Itachi frowned, staring down at Kakashi. "Let's go, Sakura. I assume you reviewed tomorrow's lesson plan and with twelve students plus Kakashi, we'll need enough for thirteen batches."
"Of course, I read the lesson plan," Sakura answered, aghast that he would think otherwise. "And obviously free-range brown eggs and Irish butter. If Kakashi is footing the bill, we should do nothing but the best."
A sly smile spread across Itachi's lips. "You are obviously a woman of my own heart."
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Itachi waited at his table for Sakura to show up. He was still only working half-days at the firm. His uncle had been adamant about Itachi taking it easy for a while. According to Madara, Itachi could take the next three months off if he wanted, he'd earned enough money on the last case for the practice. So, as a compromise, Itachi was working half-days. He had the red apron with white polka dots folded neatly on Sakura's stool.
He thought back over his conversation with Shisui the day before. They'd met up for dinner and his cousin had been adamant about Itachi not using his last name around Sakura. If the topic should come up. He recommended him using his mother's maiden name, Karasu. Itachi wasn't sure of Shisui's reasoning, but given their family's reputation it might intimidate future friends, so Itachi had agreed.
He smiled when Sakura strolled in, ten minutes early, wearing the green beanie that was formerly Kakashi's.
She hurried over towards him. "Hey!" she greeted smiling brightly, then her eyes widened at the sight of the apron. She snatched it up and unfurled it. "You made this?" She turned towards him, holding the apron up against her body.
Itachi nodded. "Last summer. It looks good on you." He reached over and slipped the straps over her head to secure the apron in place.
Sakura hurriedly secured the back and promptly took her spot on the stool. "It's great!" She gestured towards his black apron with red fluffy clouds. "That's an unusual pattern. You really seem to like red and black."
"It is a favorable color scheme for me," Itachi admitted. "How'd you get here today? The train?"
Sakura shook her head. "Shisui picked me up and dropped me off," she explained.
"You two are fairly close?" Itachi asked.
Sakura grinned, running her fingers down the front of her apron distractedly. "This is so soft too!" She grinned and looked back up to meet his eyes. "We ran into each other about a year and a half ago at work. In nicer weather, we do morning runs. I remember him briefly from the university track team years ago. I was a Jr in high school when I was touring the school and he'd been a Senior at University and showed me around campus. Then we ended up crossing paths again all these years later."
So that would put Sakura around the same age as Sasuke. Interesting. Itachi wondered briefly if his brother might know her. But he and Sasuke hardly talked these days. "What do you think about next week I pick you up before we do Kakashi's ingredient shopping? We can drop by the hospital to deliver the amigurumi. I assume you work there."
Sakura grinned. "Looks like your sleuthing skills are topnotch, Mr. Karasu." She leaned close, dropping her voice to a whisper. "I may have asked Shisui since you all seem to know each other."
Itachi didn't correct her. He simply smiled and turned his attention to the front of the class when Kakashi strolled in, apron in place, a spatula in one hand.
"Today's lesson takes thirty-five minutes to prepare, fifty minutes to bake, and an hour to cool. So we'll get started," Kakashi said, gesturing for the class to come to the front to pick up their ingredients. "We'll need to get started. Glad you all made it to class on time today."
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This time, Itachi drove Sakura home. He wanted to get an idea of where she lived so he could meet her the next Monday. Afterwards, he'd decided to visit his parents again. He didn't need to eat an entire chocolate cake by himself.
"Wow, this is two weeks in a row!" Mikoto exclaimed, running into Itachi in her kitchen. She surveyed her domain quickly and seeing nothing out of place, she relaxed and pointed to the cardboard cake box sitting on her counter. "What's that?"
Itachi opened the lid and revealed the chocolate cake he made earlier that evening. "I know it's a little late, but class doesn't let up until nine," he explained apologetically. "And I know you love chocolate."
"You know me well," Mikoto hummed, opening a drawer and pulling out a couple of forks. She handed one to Itachi and she began to dig in without cutting the cake. There was a small section missing from where he'd sampled it in class.
Itachi grimaced. He'd have preferred the cake to be sliced into equal pieces, but he brought it for his mother. She could eat it however she wanted. He took a bite and closed his eyes a moment to enjoy the sweetness and moisture of the cake. Sakura's had been just a bit sweeter than his, but his was more moist.
"So are you liking this baking class?" Mikoto asked.
The door to the kitchen swung open and Sasuke walked in barefoot, wearing athletic shorts and a muscle shirt. He arched an eyebrow at the two of them standing over the counter eating cake. "Am I interrupting?"
"Try some," Itachi said, gesturing towards the cake.
Sasuke grimaced. "You know I hate sweet things." He leaned against the counter, arms folded over his chest. "Why do you have a cake?"
"Ah, I started a baking class. Remember my old college roommate, Kakashi? He's the instructor," Itachi explained.
"Is there a guy named Choji in your class?" Sasuke asked. He looked like he wanted to say more, but he didn't.
"Hm, maybe. I don't really pay too much attention to the other students — mostly just my table-mate." Itachi took another bite and closed his eyes to really appreciate the texture of the cake. "Oh, Mother, do you still have that box of amigurumi animals I made?"
"Since neither of you are in any hurry to give me grandchildren that would enjoy them, yes. They're still in a storage tote up in the attic. Why?" Mikoto licked off her fork and then dropped it in the sink.
"My friend said she could find them homes," Itachi said with a faint smile of amusement. "Get them adopted she said."
"Adopted?" Sasuke asked. There was an odd look on his face, like he tasted something sour. Their father often had that look whenever they talked about politics.
"She suggested the children's wing of the hospital," Itachi explained. "It seems a better home than in the attic waiting for theoretical grandchildren. I already have a box at home worth that we're dropping off next Monday. I figure we can both declutter at bit."
Mikoto smiled softly. "That's a wonderful idea, Itachi."
"Your friend in the baking class?" Sasuke pressed. "Your table-mate is a woman?"
Itachi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He sucked off the cake residue from his fork. "Don't worry. There's no one named Rose in my class, little brother." He pointed his clean fork at his mother. "And that red apron from last summer? I gave it to her. So it's got a good home now too."
"That's great, Itachi. I absolutely love mine," Mikoto said sighing over her cake.
Sasuke frowned and pulled out his phone and started scrolling.
"Since when did you start obsessing over social media? I thought we were on the same page about it was an addictive algorithm designed to keep you feeling inferior about your life compared to that of your friends and acquaintances. Look how unpleasant you look now," Itachi chided.
"Shut up, Itachi," Sasuke grumbled, frowning over his phone.
Itachi shook his head and then strode out of the kitchen in route for the attic. He couldn't wait to show up at Sakura's apartment with the box later that next week. He could already envision the way those green eyes of hers would sparkle in her excitement.
"Sasuke, sweetie, will you clean the dishes and put away the cake? If you're planning to move back home, you're going to have to do a few chores," Mikoto's voice carried from the kitchen towards Itachi.
He paused, lingering long enough to hear his brother's response. Itachi was curious why Sasuke was at the house as well. As far as he knew, his brother had his own condo close to the station.
"My bathroom flooded, Mother. I should be out of your hair by the end of next week. I'm just waiting for maintenance," Sasuke explained.
"Well, just think, if you hadn't broken up with that girlfriend of yours, this would have been the perfect opportunity to see if you could live with each other," Mikoto reproached.
"It wasn't the right time with Rose," Sasuke murmured. "Can you stop bringing her up?"
"Why the sudden interest in your brother's classmates?" Mikoto pressed.
"I'm a Detective. I investigate. It's what I do," Sasuke snapped.
Itachi stopped his eavesdropping and carried on with his mission. He was curious about Sasuke's interest in his classmates as well. For a moment, he thought about Sakura and her recent breakup. Only a foolish man would let someone like her slip through their fingers.