***NOTES***
Ya'll...this is it. The last hurdle. The final climb up the hill...buckle your seat belts; put your hands up like a roller coaster. Cuz after this, it's a long ride.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Chapter 6: I am your Friend
Sakura wasn't sure what she did wrong, but she must have done something.
All she got were curt replies, stagnant silences, and maybe a few polite but otherwise obviously fake eye-crinkle smiles for the rest of the night.
When they returned to their room after the fireworks, they found a table full of prime steaks and decadent ribs laid out in the middle. On the table next to the numerous plates, was a little hand-written card that said 'To the nice ninja doggies, From: Hikari 3'that was scribbled with a messy handwriting and decorated with tiny drawings of paws and bones.
She watched Kakashi call his pack, and blithely pointed at the table for them as if saying it was okay to dig in.
And then as if in a daze, he floated away from the noisy feasting of his canine companions; and disappeared into the bathroom with a blank stare like a soulless yokai.
They each handed off their borrowed yukata to the awaiting attendants and readied for bed. By the time she returned from her nightly routine, she was just in time…
…to watch Kakashi pick up his futon that was currently next to hers in the middle of the room and DRAG it all the way to the furthest corner of the room.
As far away as possible from her.
...If that doesn't hurt one's ego, she's not sure what does.
But she grinned and bore it. Or tried to. (She was not grinning at all.)
Before the sun rose the next morning, both shinobi were ready and waiting to head home.
They dressed in their newly patched-up ANBU uniforms. Said their goodbyes to Hikari-chan. And donned their masks.
And so: 'Hound and Fox' made their way through the dense southern Fire Country quickly and quietly as possible.
They walked most of the way, as Sakura insisted they should take it easy after the physical exhaustion of the mission. She expected Kakashi to complain about the slow pace, since it was in fact, an ANBU mission (and time is always of the essence), but instead he leisurely strolled beside her with little objection and little reaction (if any).
He seemed to be in deep thought to Sakura, so she did her best not to interfere.
Alternating between walking and running for hours until the green gate of Konohagakure was in sight. By the time they reported to the Hokage and submitted their mission report, the sun was already dimming in the afternoon sky.
She tried not to get her hopes up as she stepped into the office.
And good thing she didn't…
No Naruto. No Sasuke. No one.
There was no sign of any other 'temporal guests' while they were away, and Sakura was desperately trying to keep her anxiety about the situation down.
Kakashi was acting weird. And no rescue was in sight.
Lovely. Just, perfect.
As 'fun' as this has all been...She had a life to get back to. Her family—her kids. Her husband. Her friends/teammates.
She needed to get home.
Oh, gods. She was starting to panic—
She could feel her head swimming as she tried her best to breathe her way to some resemblance of control. She breathed in and out over and over again.
Kakashi, on the other hand, looked nothing but bored the whole day.
…But she could feel something was going on beneath the surface.
He was always like that—a storm in the far off distance. Brewing quietly until he was lost in the eye of it.
She knew they were both distraught about something, and she could feel them tittering on the ledge. All it would take, would be for one to fall—and the other would follow.
And then...like the Kami-sent, senbon chewing, bandana wearing blessing that he is…
Genma arrived.
The two shinobi were halfway down the steps of the Hokage tower before Sakura heard his familiar voice behind them.
"Hey, Pinkie!" Genma shouted at her. "How about you come get drinks with us tonight?"
Sakura blinked stupidly at the offer.
She still had her ANBU mask on, although Kakashi decided to remove his (because who didn't know Kakashi was in ANBU?). She tried to meet the Copy-nin's eye to see his reaction, but he stubbornly refused her and stayed a wall of detachment. He slouched beside her, hands in his pockets, and no sign of any outward disturbances.
"Hi, Genma...I'm sort of on lock down right now? You know I can't go anywhere without my baby-sitter."
He laughed warmly and Sakura felt her shoulders relax a little more at the sound.
"Don't worry, the big grump is invited too. He's been hogging you all week, and maybe the rest of us want a chance at some fortune telling?"
He grinned at her with the same charming yet cocky grin he always had–senbon and all. Sakura couldn't help but smile back.
He was sort of like Naruto in that way—always loud and a little abrasive, but caring and warm. He was shrewder though, and more observant to those around him. It was infectious how he drew people to him and was able to know just what to say to comfort them.
She glanced at Kakashi. She actually wanted to go.
The bar scene stopped being her place years ago after she started focusing on her family, but with the way both her and Kakashi were brooding, this may be exactly what she needed to get her mind off her situation.
"I'm supposed to be guarding her, not taking her out on dates with a bunch of jonin," Kakashi grumbled with a bored drawl, with his face securely hidden behind his familiar mask.
She scoffed under her breath. Didn't they just go on a date to a festival together?
"Guarding her from who?" The brown haired ANBU turned to her. "Oh, come on! We're friends, right? In the future?"
"I mean...yes, sure," Sakura replied, unsure of how much she should really be saying with them out in the open in front of the Hokage building.
"Then you know what to expect! No problem, right?" His pointed eyes shifted to the Copy-Nin next to her. "And friends deserve some hospitality, no? I mean the Hokage just dragged her on a S-rank mission, and kami knows—you're not always the most jovial to be around. So, how about we let her have a little fun, hm?"
Sakura wanted to object to that a little and argue that Kakashi has actually been a wonderful host. But before she could get the words out, a whirlwind of green crashed into Kakashi like a force of nature.
"MY MOST ETERNAL RIVAL!" bellowed the Green Beast with little regard for volume. He slung an arm around Kakashi's neck and pulled him down in a faux choked hold as he laughed with a deep voice.
Kakashi, on the other hand, looked as if this day could not get any worse. Sakura was sure his patience for the day was running on fumes.
"Yo." Kakashi greeted with a sigh.
"Gai! Just the man to convince Hatake! Perfect timing." Genma fist bumped the Green Beast with a laugh.
Familiar bushy brows and gleaming smiles turned towards Sakura. She was thoroughly amused by the men's interactions but wasn't sure how much the other jonin knew about her circumstances.
So, she chose to smile and play along as if it was their first meeting.
"Hello, you must be Maito Gai!" She bowed a little in a polite greeting. She was still wearing her Fox mask but she tried to appear receptive. "Kakashi has told me all about you. I'm Sakura, nice to meet you."
"Ah, this must be the rumored Pink Blossom that has mysteriously gotten hold of our dear Copy-Nin! The entire village is talking about it: a beautiful pink-haired seductress that has clawed her way to capturing the heart of Konoha's 'Sharingan-no-Kakashi '. No one knows who she is? Or where she comes from! But only that my eternal rival follows after her." He laughed full heartedly. "Tell me Kakashi, is it true? Has your heart really been stolen?"
Kakashi visibly stilled. Then his face slowly morphed into an expression of long-suffering pain. And maybe, annoyance.
Ouch. What did she ever do to him?
"...Rival?" Gai froze as well, staring down at him in his choke hold. Genma flicked his senbon in his mouth and cocked his head in an interested gaze.
"—Clearly! The village is mistaken, Gai-san." Sakura pushed her voice to a saccharine sweet lull. "No seductress here. Unfortunately, Kakashi was issued as my ANBU detail for a few days. I'm afraid I might have overworked him a bit."
Both men flickered their eyes back and forth between Kakashi and herself. Silence followed awkwardly.
"...Right." Genma's eyes narrowed. "Sure."
"Of course, Sakura-san! I jest entirely. Ha ha ha...You see, my dear Rival's unusual behavior is bound to stir up rumors, no matter what he does! And such a youthful story, the rumor was!"
At this point, Gai was now violently shaking Kakashi back and forth in tune with his wild laughter as Kakashi continued to be whipped around in his choke hold.
When Gai did finally let go, he grasped Sakura's hands within his own and moved straight into her personal space.
"I simply wanted to know if a new opponent had appeared to fight for the title of Kakashi's Eternal Competitor. Should we battle for the claim?"
Sakura took two steps back from the Green Beast, and kept her voice even. Her smile strained.
"No, no no... really Gai-san! The title is all yours. I promise!" She squeezed his hands for good measure. And shot a desparte glance at Genma. "I apologize for taking him away from you for so long...In fact, Kakashi was just telling me how tired he was from this last mission, and how nothing would be better than spending a few hours among friends."
"I'm pretty sure I never said tha—"
"—well ain't that something? I was JUST saying we should go out tonight for drinks. All—" Genma coughed. "All of us."
The bandana wearing man grabbed the back collar of Kakashi's flak jacket just as he was just starting to turn around to leave. "What do you think, Gai?"
"Such a truly beautiful idea, my friends! Let us come together for a night of libations and joy!" She watched as Gai let her go and excitedly moved to slap the backs of Genma and Kakashi forcibly. "I'll gather all our companions and we shall see you all tonight!" He turned back to Sakura. "You must come as well, my most youthful Blossom! Promise me, you will attend!"
"Of course, Gai-san." She smiled behind her Fox mask. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Excellent! And please, just 'Gai' would be enough." He patted her shoulder rather gently in comparison to the two men. "Well then. See you tonight, Kakashi! Be prepared, as I intend to win in all drinking contests!"
He gave a sparkling smile and competitive wave, and off he went leaving nothing but a trail of dust behind him. Completely oblivious to Kakashi's thunderous expression.
"So...we can all get dinner there together. See you both around 7pm?" Genma asked, full of hope.
Kakashi groaned and turned to start walking away. He threw a tired wave over his shoulder, as Sakura jogged to catch up with him.
"Sure, Genma. See you at 8 o'clock."
"7pm, Kakashi! Don't be late!" He called after him.
"Got it, 9 for sure."
"Kakashi! " Genma yelled in warning.
"I'm just kidding, Genma…definitely 10 o'clock."
"Hatake, you Bastard!? 7PM!"
Sakura felt his hand wrap around her wrist. She watched as he looked over his shoulder to Genma, and with an insufferable two-fingered salute and annoying eye-crinkle, he shushined them away.
***かかし***
Kakashi was a patient man. Well, at least he had become a patient man.
He surely cannot claim that he has always had this trait. It was something that he had grown into. Like his height, or his scars.
And as the punches kept rolling in, and funerals kept becoming a normal occurrence in his life, and pieces of him kept getting lost bit by bit—
Somewhere along the way he learned to sit back, observe, and wait.
Or even better: run away. And then wait.
(Maybe patience and cowardice were synonymous to him. Who knows?)
He has concluded that Future-Kakashi most definitely…probably…slightly had some sort of interest for Uchiha Sakura.
Hell, he had only spent a few days with her, and he was halfway there himself. He was practically sporting a semi anytime she did something remotely sexy.
(Embarrassing. That's all he can say.)
That was his dreary future—that was going to be his life.
He was lusting, pining, maybe even a little enamored or whatever you wanted to call it—
With someone else's wife.
Not just any someone: but the one person he wanted to save. Itachi's baby brother. Obito's last kin.
Probably the one person he shouldn't screw over besides Naruto.
(Well, fuck.)
So, as soon as he realized he was getting in a little too deep—He bottled all the gooey feelings, and all the alluring smiles, and all that shit up and decided: that's Future-Kakashi's problem.
Not his.
He could stay away from her. At least, in theory.
So, he did.
The trip back was polite, but distant. He made sure never to touch, and never to let his eyes linger too long.
(Minato always did say: Distance is key for a shinobi. A matter of life or death).
He just wanted to go home to his little apartment to sit her in one corner, and him in another, and wait.
Just wait for his future genin to come and collect his problems.
And then it would all disappear—which was somehow equal parts soul crushing yet relieving to him all at the same time.
But of course, they had to run into fucking Genma.
And instead of executing this brilliant plan of just reading in a corner and waiting patiently for this catastrophe to be over, he was going to a bar tonight with all his comrades and Sakura.
Because: she looked at him with deep green eyes that begged to go. And Gai wanted to lose at one more competition. And Genma was a dick.
And maybe—just maybe—because he was an idiot who couldn't stick to his own plans.
So, he shushined them away after making sure to bother the hell out of Genma one last time as pay back. Kakashi dropped her wrist at the doorway and without a single word he left her to go take a shower.
As he scrubbed dust and debris from their travels away, his mind reeled at his own stupidity for agreeing to this. By the time he dried and dressed in his usual blue jonin attire and walked back out into his tiny studio apartment, he had rebuilt his mental walls.
Stay away. All I have to do is just stay away.
Except…
…he found her sprawling upside down on his old grey couch with her head hanging down by the floor and her feet flung over the back of the couch above her. Her hands were tightly clasped on her stomach and her eyes were shut.
And when one gleaming eye peeked open to stare at him like some sort of cat, all intelligent and pensive, Kakashi's body moved of its own accord.
He sat down right next to her—
For fuck's sake, why can't I just stay away?
He mimicked her bizarre lounging position with his feet hanging far further over the couch and his head hanging upside down next to hers. He stared across the room taking in the inverted scenery.
"Is there a reason you decided to turn into a giant pink bat?"
Sakura laughed. "This is something I picked up from my daughter when she's upset."
"Ah, I see…" Like that made this somehow normal. "...and are you upset?"
She turned to face him, but he refused to meet her eyes. Like any mature adult.
"I…" she hesitated by biting her lip. "I think I'm ready to go home."
He nodded, as his disappointment spiked a little. Of course she was. What more was there to say? Silence permeated the small room a few moments longer.
"And you?...why are you upset?" she asked softly.
Kakashi cast a side glance with his single eye as he observed her quietly. She turned away from him again, stubbornly keeping her eyes straight ahead to no doubt give him privacy.
"I'm not sure. I think the future may be a little scarier than I was expecting."
A little frown appeared in the corner of her lips. "What makes you say that?"
"Intuition. And maybe a few lucky guesses." And scary, irrational feelings.
He felt her body stiffen next to him, as her hands tightened in their grasp. A few minutes of silence passed, as neither felt the need to speak.
He thought of his nightmares. He thought of the ghosts that follow his every step. His regrets, and the different actions he would take.
"...When you first arrived, you were adamant about not changing the future. Why not change things?"
She hummed wistfully in thought. "Well, a lot of reasons, really…but probably the biggest one is because of the war."
"...the next war?" Kakashi felt his stomach drop.
He knew they were shinobi, and war was inevitable for them. But he had hoped …maybe this generation didn't have to suffer like his had.
"I thought about it. I thought about telling you and Sandaime everything. The things you could prevent...the measures you could take...but at the end of the day, there is no guarantee. There are too many variables."
She placed her hands flat on the floor beside her head and flipped her legs over until she somersaulted out of her bat-like position. She turned lying on her stomach across from him on the floor, her face level with his despite him still being upside down.
"This war isn't like the others," Sakura sighed. "For the first time in all of shinobi history: we unite. All the Hidden Villages come together to fight side by side. And after the war, there is true peace. Everything has changed—no more undermining each other. No more blatant killing and hatred. It's…truly amazing."
She rolled on her back, her pink hair fanning out just close enough to almost touch his own. Her eyes staring heavily at the ceiling.
"But we barely won…I mean seriously it was by the skin of our teeth. With a miracle and the whim of some questionable people's change of heart. All of it—all of humanity—was just moments away from being lost."
He watched her jaw tighten, as her eyes narrowed.
"And I can't risk that. What if I change things and someone who was pivotal in the battle dies too early? What if people who were spared pain from their past, don't fight as hard as they should? What if some mad men decide not to change their mind? I can't. I can't risk losing it all just because it would make me feel better."
Kakashi thought of his own regrets. He knew he would change it all if he could. Maybe he was more selfish in his pain.
Or maybe they were at different points in their lives—and she just had more to lose.
Sakura let out a self-deprecating laugh beside him.
"I mean, what if I end up changing everything. My husband. My kids? There was even a point right after the war where I was considering moving to Suna to work on poisons. And the gods know Kankuro always had a crush on me. What if I come home and all my kids are purple face-paint-wearing puppet masters? Can you imagine? "
She laughed brightly, but halted mid laugh when she bent her neck back to look at him.
"...Kankuro?" Kakashi couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, shoot—never mind." She stifled another laugh. "I don't think you'll meet him for another week or so."
"I'm looking forward to it." He deadpanned.
Sakura just smiled at him sweetly, her eyes shining with amusement.
"Do you feel better now? I'm not promising the future is perfect or without its own loss. But it's really not that bad." Her eyes brightened a little more. "I can't speak for everyone, but I'm happy. Naruto and Sasuke are happy. Even you're happy. I can't ask for much more than that."
Kakashi scoffed under his breath. He didn't quite believe her assessment of his own happiness.
"Sure, Sakura." He pushed his feet down over the side of the couch and finally sat up. He closed his eyes and lounged his head back against the old couch as the blood drained from his head and back to the rest of his body. "And you? Feeling better?"
After a few seconds of relief from the pressure in his head, he peeked his own eye open to see her.
Sakura didn't answer right away. Instead, he watched as her penetrating green eyes raked over him.
His stomach coiled...slow and deep, as his eyes hooded at her assessment. They traveled around his body shrewdly, languidly before pausing to meet his own. Kakashi's breath stalled in his throat, but he refused to break eye contact.
"Yes, I think I am." A smile broke out on her face, that seemed more reminiscent of a smirk. "...If you're done avoiding me, that is."
Oh. He felt his stomach coil a little tighter. She wasn't going to let him off easy.
He inhaled sharply through his nose, and felt his jaw click as it tightened even more.
He tired—he really fucking tried—to tear his gaze away from her emerald one that were just challenging him in all the right ways.
It was rare that someone ever called him out on his bullshit. Some were too afraid to confront him. Most learned to just live with it. But he had forgotten—this Sakura is formidable.
And—Fuck.
He wanted to rise to her challenge. He wanted to flirt. She was making it too easy—and it was too fucking dangerous.
"For now, at least." Kakashi replied with his voice a little too low, and a little too graveled. He hoped she didn't notice.
He swallowed hard, and desperately tried to keep his eye from drifting down the length of her body since she was still sprawled out before him on his carpeted floor.
Not my problem. His. Future-Kakashi's problem.
He cleared his throat to the best of his ability, and finally tore his gaze away.
"After all, you do have a date with half the jonin in the village tonight, Sakura. It would be considered rude to be avoiding the guest of honor," he tried to joke. He needed to change the mood.
She laughed (thankfully) giving him a little moment of respite, before letting out a little snort and wrinkling her nose. "I don't think that has ever stopped you from trying to avoid people before."
Kakashi shrugged. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, while trying to keep his eye anywhere but on her. They sat in silence.
"So…" she started quietly, but jovial. "I know you're usually late to these types of things. But I could really, really use a drink." She smiled mischievously. "...Wanna piss Genma off by showing up early and already being half-way drunk by the time he arrives?"
Oh, he liked her.
Kakashi smiled, his eyes definitely crinkled. "It's like you know me so well, Sakura."
She laughed—definitely a woman after his own heart.
***さくら***
"—All I'm saying is that I still think Jiraiya would win against Orochimaru." Sakura slurred a little while sipping her sake. Gods it's been forever since she'd drank this much. Her cheeks were already feeling warm, and her head buzzed delightfully.
"Jiraiya is an amazing shinobi, but I still think he lacks resolve. I mean have you ever seen them fight? Orochimaru's ruthless and detached. A model shinobi—" Kakashi stumbled over his words, "Well, before all that. Before he went crazy."
Sakura couldn't help but snort. "I don't need to. I've seen what Naruto can do, and if Jiraiya is half as good as Naruto, then I still think he can win." Kakashi shook his head but leaned over to refill her sake cup. "Besides—underneath it all, Orochimaru is actually a big softy."
She watched as Kakashi choked on his sake next to her despite her not actually seeing him drink. He wheezed for a second as she tilted her head back and laughed loudly. The bartender cast them a weary glance.
"What?"
"I'm telling you. I've done research with the man—he wears a cute little flower apron in the greenhouses. He gave these adorable nicknames to some of our lab equipment. And he loves kids. I seriously wouldn't be surprised if he had a child of his own hidden somewhere secret. That's how good he is with kids."
"You're lying."
"Nope! Yamato knows." She dropped her voice to whisper, but her drunken self was far too loud for such things. "—I secretly think they are together."
"Yamato?" He eyed her questioningly. His own drunken shade of pink creeping up on his cheek and ears.
"Oh—I meant Tenzou."
He blinked at her slowly. Then— "Tenzou?!"
Sakura just laughed even louder, as she slapped Kakashi on the back with a little too much force. He grumbled under his breath next to her in disbelief.
"Are you sure that you and I are from the same timeline? Or even the same universe?"
Sakura couldn't help but grin. "I'm pretty sure. You're the same as I remember you back then. And I haven't seen anything else that's different. Therefore!—your future is mine—including the flower-apron-wearing-Orochimaru and all."
Kakashi hummed quietly in thought. She watched his long pale finger trace the rim on the small sake cup that was dwarfed in his large hand.
"...And Tenzou is happy then?"
Sakura sipped her own. "I think so. To be honest he's closer to you than myself."
"Me? I'm just his former Captain."
Oh no, you're quite good friends." She laughed. "I guess I never mentioned it—he's part of 'my boys'. Him and this other kid named Sai join our group a few years from now. You would not believe his personality. It's freaking terrible."
She leaned in, with a finger to her lips and a slurred smile on her face. She felt great. Why doesn't she do this more often?
"Don't tell the rest of them," she whispered loudly in conspiracy, "But Sai might be my favorite—after my husband, of course."
He scoffed at her but his eye creased in amusement. "'Your boys'...I never knew you were into having a harem, Sakura-chan."
Oh...she blinked at him, and grinned at his words. She tried to snort but it morphed into an unattractive hiccup. Maybe she should slow down the drinking?
"Please. I'm a happily married woman, Kakashi. And I definitely don't need a harem—my husband keeps me sated and fulfilled—all on his own." She couldn't help but give him a wicked grin and wink.
Damn, she really should start metabolizing this liquor out of her system…
Kakashi visibly shuddered. "I really did not need to know that."
"I really think you did~," she sang to herself drunkenly and took another sip of her sake. "Besides, we are all just good friends. You complain about us, but I know you care."
He hummed quietly at the back of his throat in thought. It was deep and resounding, and made Sakura shiver a little at the sound. She straightened up and shook her head trying to refocus.
"You are a good friend, Kakashi. Ask anyone who is showing up tonight at this bar." She nudged him with his elbow. "I know you like to think of yourself as some kind of lone wolf, all sulking and alone. But they aren't just comrades and coworkers…everyone here thinks of you as a friend. And there will be even more in the future."
He scoffed and leaned back against the back of the barstool while crossing his arms.
"No one thinks that. I'm 'Friend-Killer Kakashi', remember? The only friends I had are dead." He glanced at the ceiling like it was more interesting than their conversation. "Well, except Gai. Thankfully, I think Gai might be indestructible."
Irritation bubbled up in her chest, and frown tugged at her lips. She considered dumping the rest of her sake right over that silver head of his.
"You're wrong." She spit out. He shrugged, but remained silent. "You care more for people than you let on. I know you do."
He sat up a little straighter, his shoulders tensing as if on defense, but his voice remained the same lazy drawl. "Why…? Because you're 'my friend' too?"
Sakura turned towards him, giving him her full attention. She let her eyes roll over his face but his remained blank and passive.
"Yes." She bit out the word, trying to suppress a growl. "I am your friend. And I know how you don't let them go. I know how you carry them with you—how you refuse to let them be forgotten."
He stared at her—his gaze a little sharper, and his jaw a little tighter.
"You think I wouldn't notice?" She taunted as she leaned forward placing an elbow on the table and her chin in the palm of her hand. "You use Obito's tardiness and excuses. I hear you eat ramen the same way as Kushina. 'Sukea ' just happens to look remarkably like a young girl I've seen in a photo—brown hair and purple paint."
He exhaled in long breath and turned his face toward the ceiling again. She wasn't sure if it was out of frustration or discomfort.
"It's okay though—to keep little bits and pieces of those that are gone," Sakura murmured quietly. "And accepting others as friends doesn't mean erasing the past ones. I know you would die for any of your nakama, Kakashi…but you're allowed to live with them too. Enjoy life with them."
He hummed quietly next to her. She watched as he brought his hands up and clasped them behind his head reminding her of Naruto. After a moment of thought, she looked up to find his lone slate eye observing her.
He crinkled an eye smile, but it still seemed a little sad to Sakura.
"I'll keep that in mind," Kakashi finally said. It felt like a lie.
She snorted at his veiled dismissal of the topic. Her flushed cheeks felt warm as she swirled the little sake cup distractingly.
"As endearing as your lonely habit is…it does worry me. I mean what if something ever happens to Gai? Should I expect you to start wearing green onesies in remembrance?"
She shuddered at the thought as he chuckled alongside her.
"Just imagine if something happens to you?" He smiled– Sakura couldn't see it behind his mask, but she was sure it was a true genuine smile. Her stomach warmed from the alcohol and his words. "I think I might just have to dye my hair pink."
Her face split into a giant grin. She couldn't help but tilt her head back and laugh.
"You always did say pink was your favorite color," she teased.
He reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately. She tried not to drunkenly sway into the touch.
"I wonder why."
His voice was deep and rich—and her insides melted at the tone.
Sakura wanted to savor the moment—
But all good things must come to an end apparently.
The bar door slammed open behind them, letting in the last few rays of sunlight into the darkened room. She recognized the clamor of voices right snapped his hand away from her and sighed.
Sakura whipped her head away from the offending sounds and let out a small groan as her head pulsed a bit in discomfort.
"Kakashi?! You. absolute. bastard." Genma stormed into the bar in anger. "This is where you've been?! I've ran all over this damn city trying to find you, you damn ungrateful—"
"Yo, Genma." He threw a mocked salute. "Fancy seeing you here…In fact, aren't you late?"
Genma's frown deepened exponentially, but before he could open his mouth, Kakashi continued.
"Didn't we say 7pm, Sakura?" The Copy-nin squinted at the clock above the bar in exaggeration. "Let's see, if it's 8:00 now…that means I was… at least two hours early. Now, how did that happen?"
Genma stared at the man as the blood rushed to his face. Sakura could swear the senbon in his mouth was going to snap under the pressure of his jaw.
"You fucking—"
"MY ETERNAL RIVAL!" bellowed a familiar voice.
"Yo!" Kakashi stood from his place at the bar and as he passed Genma, gave him a patronizing slap on the back and eye crinkle. Sakura couldn't help but watch the two jonin in amusement.
She pushed her chakra throughout her body, and relished the cool feel of it working on her liver and head. The haziness of alcohol slowly began to subside as she turned to face the incoming batch of shinobi.
Kakashi stood along with Gai, hands in his pocket and his single eye sparkling at a new challenge.
Behind 'Konoha's Green Beast', were several stragglers—some she had forgotten could look so young—Kurenai, Anko, Yugao, Raido…
…others were ghosts that she hadn't thought of in a long time—such as a young Asuma and Hayate—although she really only knew the latter from stories told by their loved ones.
Her eyes roamed over the group. Right now, they were whole and complete—at least, in this moment of time.
The thought sobered her quickly.
She tried to smile as Gai passed her off from person to person with introductions, but it all felt a little too forced—She stumbled when she got to Asuma, Ino's crying face forever ingrained in her memory. She turned her eyes away when Yugao introduced Hayate as her boyfriend.
She was failing at remaining neutral.
And Kakashi's lone charcoal eye followed her in the room. Too intent. Too intelligent.
So, she bit the inside of her cheek; she squared her shoulders and shook her head of any fleeting thoughts. And when Anko offered a friendly shot—she gulped it down and refused to look back.
She needed to get herself together.
***かかし***
Kakashi watched Sakura from the bar. She was huddled with several of the other shinobi and was held captive by one of Anko's drunken stories that he will admit—are hilariously funny.
And she was…well, for lack of a better description:
She was deliciously drunk.
All pink cheeks and glowing eyes; and bright smiles and hearty laughs. Her voice was far above the acceptable volume of any respectable establishment. And there may have been a little sway in her lithe body like she was actually sitting on a boat that was rocking back and forth, instead of in a bar seat on solid ground.
And she seemed happy…
Which he was pleased with—because for a few minutes something happened, and she visibly dulled. She was fidgeting and twisting in her own skin, and her eyes shifted away from everyone in discomfort.
And suddenly Kakashi wasn't so sure about this meeting of jonin anymore. Maybe there was a history here that hadn't happened yet? Or worse –maybe those 'losses' she spoke of were in this very room…?
"—Kakashi? Will you leave the damn lady alone, please." Genma placed his back against the bar beside him, elbows on the countertop and a drink in hand, facing out toward the scene of Sakura and their friends laughing together. "I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself, and you're staring a hole through her."
The Copy-nin shrugged. "It's my job to keep an eye on her."
Genma laughed mockingly. "Sure! It's your job to make sure she doesn't defect or kill us all in our sleep. Not ogle the little lady with lovesick eyes—well I guess—eye, in your case.
Kakashi couldn't help but huff out an annoyed sigh, and chose to stare at the ceiling in a blatant attempt to ignore his—
Well…I guess you could call him a 'friend'.
"It's certainly a sight to see. I've never seen you quite like this before—the way you watch her—it's like you're dying to get closer, but trying to run as far away as possible at the same time."
Nothing but silence followed his statement.
"Oh? No comment, or snide remark?" Genma chuckled, and dropped his voice to a serious tone. "See it's real simple, Kakashi—do you want her?"
Kakashi felt his jaw tighten as he turned around to face the bar, and away from Sakura.
He wrapped his hand around the small glass he'd been nursing throughout the night but refused to face the bandana-wearing nin. Genma watched him, scrutinizingly.
"Ah, I see. Then I guess you don't mind if I give it a go, do you?"
The glass cracked in his hand.
"Well, fuck. That's not a good sign." Genma laughed, slapped his back hard.
"She's married, Genma."
"So, I heard."
"Then you know she's off limits," he growled.
"Who's she married to again?"
"Sasuke Uchiha my—" Kakashi swallowed. "My student."
"Uh-huh, uh-huh," Genma nodded his head slowly and spun the senbon in his mouth like he was digesting the answer thoughtfully. "And she said that to you, did she?"
Kakashi ran all their conversations through his head. "She didn't have to. It's obvious."
"Right, right…" Genma plucked the senbon from his mouth as his eyes narrowed. "So here's the thing, Kakashi: I'd bet my left testicle that that is utter bullshit."
His eyes snapped up from the cracked glass in his hand to look at his friend in bewilderment. Genma was just staring at whatever scene was playing on behind him, he could hear Sakura's light giggles among the laughter.
"And what makes you say that?" Kakashi asked cautiously.
Genma dragged his eyes to meet his own as he placed the senbon back in his mouth. A slow smirk spread across his face, and he tipped his lips in the direction of their friends, using the senbon to point, as if to say 'take a look'.
"Because she hasn't stopped staring at you either."
Kakashi swiveled on his bar seat so fast, he was sort of impressed he didn't just topple off. She was leaning into Gai while he slung an arm around her as the group were all singing a truly dreadful drinking song that was too loud and definitely off key.
Her cheeks were still flushed, and from here they were starting to blend into the pink of her hair but her eyes—her eyes were on him.
Jade sparkled as she smiled, and when their gaze met—her smile brightened just a little bit more.
"You see that ?" Genma scoffed lightly in amusement. "That's not a look you give your 'dear old sensei '."
Kakashi sat there, taking in the scene. She continued laughing and singing, but she never dropped her gaze.
No. No. no—
"You're fucking with me," he whispered out quietly.
"No, I'm definitely not." Genma turned towards the bar and motioned the bartender for another drink.
"I know you want to sit here, and mope and brood about how absolutely hopeless this whole situation is but—" Genma knocked back a shot. "See here's what I've learned after years of practice, Kakashi—a woman will tell you if there's a chance. Some are subtle; some are amazingly bold. But if you actually listen to what they're saying, and notice the way they are when they're around you—then you'll know. And that woman—that woman can't take her damn eyes off of you."
Kakashi huffed out an exhausting sigh. He ran his palm down his face, and his fingers through his hair. He was suddenly tired and nervous at the same time.
"There is no way that is true."
"Why?" Genma twirled the lip of the cup nonchalantly. "Because she's married?"
"Yes, because she's fucking married."
"...And you think it's to the Uchiha? She's Uchiha Sakura?"
"Well, it makes the most sense. She's been in love with him since they were kids. There is an eleven year old version of her right now, that's in love with him. Who else would she marry?"
"I told you: my left nut. That woman over there is Hatake Sakura."
Kakashi felt his head slam on the bar in front of him as the air knocked out of his lungs. "You're insane."
.no. Don't want it. Future-Kakashi's problem—
"Not everyone is Asuma and Kurenai—not everyone marries their first love and stays together forever. Some take a little a longer. Why can't it be you?"
His Sharingan almost burned as it sifted through memories.
—rebuilding a clan, then?
Honestly? It's hard work.
Kakashi scoffed face down into the bar top. "She said she was rebuilding a clan."
"Yeah well, the Hatake clan is a party of one right now. It could use some rebuilding."
"I don't want to rebuild my damn clan."
Genma smirked. "I bet you would if it was with that pink-haired little spit fire."
Kakashi glared. "No, you don't understand how she talks about him."
…Have you ever met someone so damn beautiful—
…never wanted anyone more than how I wanted him—
I'm a happily married woman, Kakashi.
"Kakashi, I was there. 'The most powerful shinobi of all time'? Haven't you been in line for Hokage since—I don't know—Minato died? The only reason they didn't give you the hat already is because you're constantly running from it."
The Copy-nin scoffed. "I'm not going to be Hokage, Genma. I don't want to be."
"Well, see? That's the thing—You don't know that. Fifteen years a long ass time; and maybe she bats her pink eyelashes at you and tells you what a 'great' Hokage she'd think you'd make—and bam! You've got. a. brand. new. hat."
Kakashi could think of nothing worse. "She's my student, you ass."
His friend had the audacity to choke on a strangled laugh. "Yeah, well…we all knew you were a fucking pervert, Kakashi. It just took you a few years to get to it so publicly."
He lifted his head to glare at the bastard, as his companion just laughed at him. He could hear a violent pulse in his ears.
"I'm telling you: you're wrong. There's no way."
"No…No, I don't think I am." He gloated. "Forget my left testicle–who wants that anyway?—I bet your cheap ass one month's pay that fifteen years from now, I'll be right."
"Genma..." His irritation was growing…
"I want interest too. Fifteen years of interest adds up—"
"Genma," Kakashi spit out. "Stop."
"—maybe I should tell her about this bet so she can remind you as soon as she gets home."
"Do you not fucking listen?" Anger was bubbling in his stomach.
"—and if you're Hokage? One month's pay is a small fortune—"
"Genma." Rising. Blood rushing in his ears…
"—I know exactly what I'm going to spend it on too: senbon . Ridiculously expensive senbon—"
"Genma—Fucking. stop."
His chakra flared.
…and the room stopped.
The merry tune the drunk jonin were singing died off in a sudden hush.
The bartender dropped a bottle of whiskey with shaky fingers.
An old man who was drinking by himself a little way down the bar laid himself against the wall like he could camouflage into it.
A few chunin in the corner froze like a frightened animal and slowly backpedaled their way to the nearest door.
Genma had his back straight, and feet planted on the ground. His eyes were wide and alert. A hand was inching towards his kunai in his pouch. Face wiped of any humor, and sweat forming on his brow.
…Everyone in the room went still.
Except, of course—
Sakura.
She stood up almost as soon as he felt his chakra release. And when the others locked up in a wary stillness.
She—
She moved towards him.
But he didn't want to think about that.
(Or what that could mean.)
Kakashi was done. Done with Genma's taunts. And Sakura's mysteries. And his Future-Self's problems.
Done with this whole damn day. This whole situation.
He already let his emotions get the best of him. Like a child.
An Angry. Jealous. Spoiled. Child.
He was done.
So, he placed what was left of the sake cup that was crumbling in his hand on the counter–
And walked out.
***END NOTES***
FUN FACT: there was a mention of building mental walls and a giant bat...I may, or may not, have had Severus Snape on the mind.
