Chapter 16
The calm had settled once she crossed the door, the warmth hugged her like a warm blanket. Home was a wonderful word.
As wonderful as dreams can be, sometimes.
Yet again, she found herself in a dream, a memory she could not understand. Words flew from her lips like releasing a breath. – "Mother! I am home!" – the tall, stoned walls carried the echo of her voice, the warm gleam of light casted shadows as she ventured into the beautifully antique home.
No answer.
Wooden furniture with delicate carvings lined the corridors toward her destination. Fresh flowers in painted vases brought colour to the room. Golden candelabras lining the pillars of this long corridor.
In her mind, she had no idea what was behind each heavy-set door she passed by. Tall marble pillars held the massive ceiling.
A little too fancy for her liking.
Her footsteps echoed as she continued on, the word "home" was not enough to describe such a place that held only a display of wealth to whoever walked by.
Even a glance was enough to gain anyone's attention and curiosity.
Who lives here?
A long crimson carpet led her to the end; big double doors met her with a strange sensation. "Have I been here before?" she wondered. Unspoken questions lingering as the dark warm wood called to her.
A gleam of light peaking under the doors, unlike the others with no sign of anyone's presence. Did she want to know who could be on the other side?
Maybe.
As she turned around, the chandeliers gleamed at her from above. Chairs and tables laid empty as it felt unworthy to be used and ruin the delicate embroidered cushions.
Only those with great influence and power should own such things.
The pinket felt a little… out of place.
Her long dark coat covered her from the outside, now it felt heavy. Still, she rather keep it on as a hug that brought comfort. Her shoes seemed to be clean as no dirt could be seen on the carpet.
Was she even outside?
Her hair fell to her side, braided with small flowers that were picked that day. Small white petals in contrast to her pink locks.
Her dress was simple and light, light green fabric under a brown corset to hold her flowing skirt.
She was not part of this world.
No longer feeling the urge to open those doors, her steps began to wonder away. – "Sakura. Come in dear" – she heard a faint and soft voice.
It came from the other side of those doors.
With a deep breath, she spoke. – "Who's there?" – the clock sitting on a large book shelve ticked in the silence. Her nerves began to rise.
Sakura tilted her chin slightly to hear a little better. – "Silly girl." – the voice spoke in laughter. – "Do you not remember your mother?" –
Confused, she remembered those words she spoke before. Yes, she arrived home, her mother was waiting for her.
Scrambling in her memories, searching for a face that voice may belong to. Even a name. Nothing came up.
Her eyes lingered on the door as a shadow approached from underneath. But she could not hear any footsteps.
A figure reached for the door on the other side and her green eyes focused on the silver doorhandle. As it slowly moved, the laughter started again. – "Didn't you miss your dear mother?" –
No.
The pinket did not like how the voice turned deep at the end.
This was not her home.
Turning back in a rush, she began to run towards the door she entered through. Her beath was forced from fear and an intense need to GET OUT. – "Sakura!" – she heard the echo of a bang.
The door had slammed open.
With a gasp, she did not dare to turn, the walls pulsed with her fear and whoever was approaching… had very heavy footsteps.
Her name was shouted once again, the voice no longer sounding human.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she rushed to the door. It was slightly ajar. The faint noise of rain told her this was her way out. She only had to… her hand reached for the door… but she fell.
- "NO!" – she screamed.
- "Sakura?" –
- "NO!" – she turned; eyes wide open. But she was back.
Concerned brown eyes stared back at her. That familiar brown hair cascading like curtains to the sides. – "It's me, Sakura." – he spoke softly and smiled while his hand reached his chest. – "Hashirama" –
Her eyes tried to focus, her breathing was still ragged, but she was awake. This room was not familiar to her, green gaze capturing the room. Cream coloured walls greeted the morning light coming from the large windows to her side. A large puffy bed with white pillows and light grey covers.
A small bedside table to her side and a desk on the other side of the room, next to a door. A set of doors to the side told her there must be a closet and maybe a bathroom there.
Her gaze returned to him. His smile had smoothened his worried forehead, but his eyes still searched for her. He was worried. – "How are you feeling?" – he asked.
After a few blinks, she noted nothing seemed wrong with her. Waking up from a nightmare should only make her feel tired and not rested, but she was fine. – "I am…" – she started, glancing at the room again. – "…fine." – the window showed a group of tall buildings with space between them and a faint buzzling sound of people could be heard from the small opening left to bring air into the room.
He seemed to have noticed her confusion. – "Don't worry, this is the guest room, you can stay here a little longer if you're still tired." – he caught her attention.
Sitting up, she noticed her clothes had not changed from the blue attire she got from the Uchiha. – "What happened?" – she whispered.
The brunette hunched over and scratched the back of his head. Worry marking his gaze. – "That is what I came here to ask you." –
"What?" she wondered.
Last thing she remembered was…
- "Please tell me you got me something good." – mumbled a grumpy Obito to his friend. – "You don't have a very good taste, and you know how terrible hospital food is." – he continued as he opened a bag with a small lunchbox inside. His smile widened at he lifted the top and was met with warm steam of delicious goods.
The silver haired man stayed silent as his friend munched on his neighbours cuisine, the woman had a small stand of food nearby and he frequented every time he did not feel like cooking.
That was most days.
It's cheap and good, so it suited him.
A small growl caught his attention. Next to his friend, a pinket sat with a huge blush that went down to her neck. – "hungry?" – he questioned with one raised brow. Kakashi was still wondering about her ever since the grumpy Madara left the room.
She turned quiet and shy once left with them.
His new mission was to watch over her. Sneaking in snacks was easy since he had tons of practice. Both Obito on him would sneak each other anything the nurses would prohibit under their care every time they were literally tied to a hospital bed.
Being miserable and eating flavourless food was not healthy, in his humble opinion.
The highlight of his friends day was met by a good meal and welcomed visitors. Kakashi would welcome a nice smile.
Was that jealousy over his friend being cared for by this weird woman?
No, it's stupid to yearn for that horrid condition when he should be grateful. The pinket only nodded slightly and looked away. She seemed to love whatever happened on the other side of the window.
In a hospital, who doesn't yearn to be outside? – "I can get you something." – he spoke. Catching her attention and wide eyes. He could tell she was about to protest. One woman who is easy to read was not that common, they all seem to send mixed signals these days. – "It's no issue, you are under my care after all." – he insisted.
Now that he thought about it, was she not fed recently? Greedy Uchiha's.
- "Don't worry, we can share." – smiled his friend. A few specks of rice stuck to his chin. The pinket was eying a rice cake. The smell was lovely, and it was still fresh.
"She has a sweet tooth." He concluded.
But she wouldn't grab it, even after Obito shoved the lunch box to her. – "I haven't washed my hands." – she muttered with an apology, placed the box on the bed side table and rushed to the bathroom.
Her nervous movements caught their eyes. It looked more as an excuse to leave the room rather than courtesy. – "She is something, isn't she?" – asked Obito, still staring at the closed bathroom door. Kakashi hummed in response. – "Do me a favour." – their gaze locked in a silent agreement. – "I know you want her to see him." – as per usual, he knew exactly what he thought. If she could help his friend when he was knocking on deaths door, could she help a man who is in a worse state? – "Just don't let anyone see her." –
With a nod, the silver haired man gave his friend a thankful nod. – "First, I'll keep her fed." – he turned back to the door. – "Unlike that grumpy Uchiha." – Obito snickered a laughter at his friends jab to his family.
Only the daring Hatake would complain about them like that.
If he were a Senju, it would be a different story.
Why did the Uchiha and Senju have such bad blood? Not important for now. Hatake shrugged and stood just as the door opened. – "Now, Mis Sakura." – the tittle caused her fine brows to scrunch up at him. Adorable. – "Let us leave him in peace with his food, I'll take you for some fresh air and good food." – she did not have to know it was a small stand with cheap food, the owner is careful enough to avoid any food poisoning.
It should be fine.
However, she did not seem too excited over that idea. – "But, Madara-" –
- "Madara left you under my care." – he cut her off with a smile, not that she could see it. – "Now." – he opened the door for her. – "Shall we?" –
The pinket turned and smiled at his friend. – "I will come back tomorrow." – bowed slightly and turned to the corridor.
Quickly, he guided her out of the building. He was ready to leave, it suffocated him to spend too much time inside.
She did her best to follow his step. Not uttering a single word of protest, for now. She seemed on edge as people stared at her and she kept her head low, trying to disappear and cover behind him.
That is something to note.
Her smile returned as they stepped outside, her eyes wondered everywhere until they caught him staring at her. – "Where are we going?" – she asked, her voice cheery and her smile almost too contagious.
He lifted a hand pointing his finger at a certain direction, her eyes followed, and her breath hitched. – "Is that a park?" – green trees lined the pavement hiding one of their biggest parks in town. Many stands would gather there with a plethora of food options. You could choose a bench or the soft grass under the shade of a tree. Secluded and safe.
It was perfect.
Something told him she would appreciate some privacy and nature. With both hands in his pockets, he began to cross the distance to the park. Noticing how the pinket held both hands together behind her back, as if holding herself back and followed.
As they headed towards the food stands, she kept staring at everything she could, like a curious cat.
- "It feels like a small forest." – she whispered. – "Do you come here often?" – he wanted to answer, but mostly, the need to question her was bigger than to follow her curious mind. He hummed back at her. It seemed good enough for her as she turned her attention to the small stands coming up ahead. – "It smells lovely." – she commented
Her stomach growled once again and that made her quiet down again.
He wondered if she was just shy or did not want to seem like a burden. Maybe both? – "Pick any you want." – he told her.
The pinket was hesitant, it all smelled delicious, but he could tell, she had no idea what anything was. Turning to him, she spoke. – "What do you recommend?" –
What a question, no one cared what he liked, he just ate anything that did not cost him much effort. But he did have preferences. Scanning the area, he found that one orange looking stand with warm smiles and happy customers. A pop of blonde spikey hair catching his attention.
This could be good.
Turning to her, he noticed she was staring at the same stand with curiosity. The smell hit them as they approached. – "Do you frequent this place?" – she asked in an almost whisper, trying to keep their conversations as private as possible.
He hummed in response.
Her smile reached her eyes as the sniffed the air. The delicious noodle soups always warmed up his belly after the roughest days. – "Oi! Naruto." – he caught the attention of the blonde on the stand. And, his friend.
Two sets of eyes landed on the tall man, one set of bright blue eyes and a toothy green… with a noodle stuck to his chin. – "Kakashi! Isn't it too early?" – he should be asking them that question…
The other set of eyes staired him down in question, they were both curious why the man was not at work at this hour. Slowly, the man gazed upon the pinket, too busy reading the menu above to notice the stares.
Or maybe she has gotten used to ignoring those curious stares.
The owner, a tall and buff man with some white streaks popping out from his chef's hat emerged from the small privacy curtains dividing the kitchen area. – "Hey there! New customer?" – he caught her attention. – "What can I get you?" –
Politely, the pinket turned her attention to the man. – "I am not sure; it all sounds so lovely." – she smiled. – "What do you recommend?" – the man's grin was honest as he began to explain the different dishes.
Hatake took a seat, already knowing what we would order. – "Hey! Who is your friend?" – whispered the blonde. – "I thought you didn't have any friends." – he snickered.
Little brat.
- "Here you go." – the shop keeper placed two bowls of steamy noodles in front of the pinket and Kakashi, she had yet to even address the two others, too busy gushing over the selection of meals. It seemed her appetite had only grown. Turning to him, she waited for him to take a bite, after spending the entire waiting time watching the chef prepare their foods.
For some reason, she seemed untrustworthy of food. He noted that. – "It's delicious, believe it!" – chimed in the blond, surprising the pinket.
Wide green eyes stared back and forth from those blue eyes and Hatake's unimpressed gaze. With a sign, he spoke. – "This is Naruto, he is the towns clown." – and began to eat, ignoring the blonds protests.
- "Hey! How dare you old man!" – and so, the blonde began to fume. – "I am Uzumaki Naruto, and I will be the best worrier that has ever lived!" – he puffed his chest in glee.
The pinket smiled back, suddenly shy again. – "Sakura." – she nodded at him.
The Uchiha on the further side of the stand, seemly forgotten in the conversation, continued to eat while paying attention. That ticked the silver haired Kakashi, if anyone would be curious about him going out with a new woman, that would be the younger Uchiha.
Weird.
Had these men who he once helped train no longer care about how cool he was?
Such a sad reality, Kakashi thought.
"Am I really that old?" he asked himself as the conversation continued without him. "Should I take them out for a spar?" he wondered.
Guess his ego needs a new boost.
Sorry I have been away for some time, I will continue on my works. Hope you enjoy!