Chapter Seven
Happy home
A hum escaped her lips when she felt something warm pressing her side. Her eyes were still closed while she revelled at the strange warmth she was receiving. She felt grateful; she snuggled closer, seeking more heat and while she did this, a familiar scent engulfed her. Confusion caused her brows to knit together in her sleep.
Her eyes fluttered open and started to register her blurred surroundings. Where am I? Waiting for a few seconds to let her fuzzy brain work its wheels; Sakura stayed put on the bed. Wait—this isn’t my room! Her once sleepy eyes widened like saucers as she observed the plain cream ceiling and the soft light the sun offered behind the non-curtained window. Widely, she looked around, trying to clear her brain much faster.
“Oh,” she softly breathed as her eyes finally settled on the source of warmth that lay next to her. The events from yesterday replayed in her mind, and made her remember the exact reason why she’s sleeping on Kakashi’s bed—with him. Her eyes prowled around the room; anywhere but Kakashi. But her eyes constantly returned to her ex-sensei’s sleeping face. His face looked so smooth without the creases, his hair mussed everywhere and his even breathing was the only thing she could hear in the silence of the cold room. A blush crept upon her face after she came up with a realization, He looks so handsome like this… so peaceful… She had no control on what she was doing at that moment; her hand rose and brushed his stubborn bangs away from his forehead. Sighing, Sakura laid back and just looked at him.
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“It’s Kakashi, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve grown close with the man since I went away. Some say you and Kakashi got a relationship going on, is this true?”
“Yes, we do have a relationship. We’re great friends now.”
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Was that all he was to her? A friend? She couldn’t blame Sasuke and the others if they assumed that she and Kakashi had a thing going on. They were always seen together. Since Naruto was with Hinata and was rarely seen with them, this roused everyone’s suspicion more. He’s just a friend. Someone I can lean on and tell stuff that I rarely tell everyone else… A relationship further than that is impossible… he’ll never like me that way. To him, I’m just a child, a former student… a teammate. Sasuke’s former fan girl. By the end of her statement, she smiled. Sasuke’s former fan girl. Funny, she never considered herself like one when she was a child. It was because she believed Sasuke saw her more than that. Being a member of Team 7 and all…
Suddenly, her thoughts drifted towards her encounter with Sasuke last night. But as soon as that flashed her mind, it ended quickly when Kakashi slightly stirred in his sleep. Sakura stiffened while watching him with guarded eyes.
Muttering something incoherent in his sleep, he unconsciously flung an arm across her chest and a leg over hers. Sakura made a small ‘eep’ while she watched in utter surprise. She gave him a side-glance and saw him still in a deep slumber. Great. Now that she’s in a rather, compromising position with her ex-sensei, she had no idea how to get out of it. She could only just imagine the look on Kakashi’s face when he woke up with her pinned beneath his stubborn appendages. Even in his sleep, he’s still a perv. Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Sakura tried to formulate a way on how to get his arm and leg off of her without stirring him from his sleep.
Carefully, she started to squirm, trying to free her arms first but found that attempt useless. After countless times of trying to get out, Sakura let out a groan of frustration. Prying his arm alone was tiresome and being tired and annoyed at the same time was not a good combination. She had to do something! She couldn’t afford him seeing this when he woke up.
Having no other choice, Sakura settled on squirming her way towards the edge of the bed. She continued until she finally slid off and fell on the floor with a thump.
Groaning, she sat up. She cast a glance over to where Kakashi slept. He again muttered something about dolphins, which was odd, and then turned on his side, clutching a pillow as replacement for Sakura’s warmth.
Sighing in relief, she stood up and straightened the clothes she borrowed.
That was a close call.
**
When Kakashi woke later that morning, he realized he was alone in his bed. Looking around, he found a note left on the space she occupied last night. With a tired yawn, he leaned against his arm and read,
Kakashi-sensei,
I wanted to wake you up and say goodbye but you need your sleep more than I could ever imagine. You sleep like a log! No wonder you’re always late… So, I decided not to disturb you and leave this note instead. I want to thank you for letting me stay here last night. You don’t know how much I appreciate all the things you’ve done for me. In return, I made you breakfast! See how incredibly sweet I am?
That made him smile. I’ve seen it a long time ago, Sakura… he mused as he continued reading,
I have to go home before my parents go ballistic. I’ll see you this afternoon. Remember, we still got that challenge thing going on. Your mask will be still my prize.
Your smartest student,
Sakura
The jounin’s smile broadened at this before he dropped back again in his bed. Sakura was right, he really needed sleep. The events from yesterday, not to mention his sleepless nights mulling over Sakura’s wedding, worn him out. His eyes languidly closed but before he let sleep overcome him, the look of contentment never left his face.
At least now he had something to look forward to. His afternoon definitely will be worthwhile.
**
Her heart pounded against her chest as she took the remaining few steps toward home. When she reached the front door, her breath became erratic as if she had ran a marathon. Her hands were shaking as she reached for the door and let herself in. She closed her eyes, bit her lip, and she slowly opened the door. This is now or never, Sakura… and as the interior of the house began to unfold, she held her eyes tightly closed. The last thing she needed right now was the monstrous look on her parent’s faces as they welcomed her home.
But what she’d seen stunned her. The house was quiet except for the usual rustling on the kitchen. Cautiously she stepped in, took off her shoes and walked inside. Taking small measured steps, she took a peek inside the kitchen and saw her mother moving from one place to another. Her father sat on the table, reading the daily paper with a cup of coffee prepared before him.
At first, she wanted to mask her presence and go straight up to her room. But it was too late when her mother’s head turned towards her direction with both brows arched.
Then all hell broke lose when her mother actually smiled, “Come in, dear. Have some breakfast.”
What the—? Sakura’s green eyes bugged out as she stared dumbly at her mother who was now preparing the table.
As if that wasn’t enough to shock her, her father smiled too and said, “Oh, Sakura. When did you return?”
Sakura stared at him for a few seconds before choking an answer, “J-just now…” she was so unsure of what was happening around her. Is this some kind of a joke or a dream, perhaps? Secretly, she pinched her arm and winced. Yep! It’s all real…
Her mother laid out a beautiful plate of breakfast on the table and her stomach growled in return. She wasn’t able to eat anything last night and now she could feel her stomach reminding her to feed it.
Mrs. Haruno laughed wholeheartedly and went to usher her daughter inside. Sakura stiffened as her mother lead her to sit down on the table. All this time, his father was smiling at her. She had no idea whether to feel relieved or scared. They’re supposed to be mad for Pete’s sake! Why are they acting as if nothing happened?
Her mother took the seat across her with her smile never faltering.
This scared her more.
“Mom, dad… I—” she started, but she was immediately interrupted by her mother’s now, grave voice.
“It didn’t happen. Nothing happened, do you understand?”
“What?” Sakura was confused.
Her father dropped the paper and looked straight into her confused eyes, “Forget what happened yesterday. It’s for the better…”
With that said, they started eating, except for Sakura who was still trying to digest the situation.
And then something flashed her mind,
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“I will call off the wedding… I’ll talk to your parents if you want. Just don’t go. Naruto will kill me. I can’t let you ruin your life here because of me. It’s unacceptable…”
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**
“He DID??” Ino’s voice never failed to rattle the whole city as she went to her flower shop that morning to check-up on her.
Sakura browsed around, “Yep.”
“B-but I thought he was mad!”
“He IS!”
“No, I mean… I’ve never seen him so…so angry before…” and with that, Ino trailed off.
Sakura sighed, “I don’t know what his intentions are. But before he left, he asked me not to go. He said it’s unacceptable.” She then furiously shook her head, “Argh! I don’t know what’s up with him! He’s so confusing…”
Ino nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I know what you mean…”
The pink-haired medic nin dropped on a chair nearby and absently fiddled with the lily’s petals, “And now everybody’s acting as if nothing happened… I wonder what Sasuke did to shut them off…”
“There’s a possibility he threatened everyone. Of perhaps, they just wanted to show respect. Anyone would’ve done the same thing if they were on yours shoes, Sakura… at least that’s what Shika told me.” With the mentioning of her lazy boy friend, her brows furrowed, “Which reminds me, where the hell is he? I told him to pick me up. And now he’s five minutes late!”
Sakura smiled at her friend’s non-stop yapping, “For five minutes you’re already throwing a fit? Ha! What if you’re going out with the king of tardiness, Hatake Kakashi?” Then suddenly she felt her face hot. Memories of sleeping in his bed with him half-naked beside her engulfed her mind. Her spacing off and the obvious blush on her cheeks was not left unnoticed by Ino.
“I trust that you and Kakashi already went out on a date, hm?” the blonde teased, which immediately brought back Sakura’s attention.
“What? No! I-I mean, not yet… well, sort off… I think…” Sakura embarrassingly went off like a rocket as words gushed off her mouth. She fiddled more with the flower on her hand, trying not to look at Ino straight in the eye.
Then suddenly, Ino laughed out loud, “Oh, you’re so easy to tease…”
“Ino!” the other gave out a frustrated protest.
Ino crossed her arms and continued to interrogate her, “Well, why did you say something about Kakashi being late on a date? That only means one thing, forehead girl. You and Kakashi already dated!” her squeal caused her a headache. No wonder Shikamaru couldn’t stand a minute with her.
Now I wonder how those two ended up together.
“C’mon, tell me the details!” Ino excitedly gushed, her blue eyes shining with pure interest.
“No!” Sakura firmly replied.
“Why not?”
“NO because we haven’t dated yet and NO because if we ever did, I will never tell you.”
Ino glared at her in disappointment, “You’re impossible!”
Sakura rolled her eyes, “Yeah, whatever.” She then stood up and started walking out of the store. “Can I have this for free?” she asked before setting a foot out.
“It’s already contaminated with you touching it, feel free.” Ino mocked while waving a dismissive hand.
Sakura shook her head. “I’ll see you around, Ino-pig.” And with that, she went out before giving the blonde a chance to retort back.
**
“Sakura-chan!” her other blonde friend and with an even louder mouth named Naruto hollered at her as she entered Ichiraku’s stall. She knew she’d find him here.
“Naruto.” She greeted as she took the empty seat next to him. His bowl of steaming-hot ramen still ever present.
“Where have you been?” he started, “We’ve been looking all-over for you!”
Sakura smiled sheepishly, “Ehehe… I needed some time to think.” Then she asked, “… we?”
“Oh, Neji and Shikamaru helped me on the search. But they backed out by nightfall. Said, I was worrying too much!” then he turned to devour his bowl and not long after he ordered for another round. He ate ramen that fast. “I mean, who wouldn’t be? I was so worried! And your parents said they’ll cut-off my head if I didn’t return without you.” Then his eyes looked up, looking thoughtful, “But then, when I returned they said that everything’s fine and I should go home. So odd…”
Sakura could not believe her parents could talk so morbid when pissed off. She cleared her throat nervously and nodded, “Yeah… odd…”
As if on cue, Shikamaru and Chouji showed up and joined them. “Bah! I knew you’d be here.” The ANBU captain lazily muttered as he took the seat next to Naruto as Chouji took the remaining empty seat beside Sakura. Shikamaru’s eyes trailed over the pink-haired kunoichi who caused so much commotion yesterday. “So, you decided to come back.”
Sakura gave a small smile, “Yeah, I had no other choice…”
“Don’t worry, Sakura-chan, no one will bother you!” Chouji suddenly piped in before accepting a steaming bowl of ramen. He and Naruto ate in synchronize.
Shikamaru sighed, “Sasuke officially barred the ninth of December.”
December 9 was yesterday, Sakura mused. Our wedding day…
“Uchiha’s gone nuts.” Shikamaru muttered.
“No he hasn’t!” Naruto exclaimed when heard him. After swallowing another mouthful of noodles, he said, “He may be a bastard sometimes but I know he did that for Sakura-chan!” then his eyes trailed up, looking thoughtful, “Oh wait, yeah he’s crazy. Forced marriage… psh! What was he thinking?”
“Clearly, he’s not.” Shikamaru commented.
“Sakura-chan ran away to escape. I would have done the same thing…” Chouji munched continuously on his chips after finishing his ramen.
“I’m with you,” Shikamaru gave a lopsided grin.
“You do know I’m still here… I can hear you clearly.” Sakura gave out a frustrated sigh.
Then Naruto started laughing like there was no tomorrow, “You two?? I can’t even imagine Sasuke proposing to you guys!” Sakura realized she was left unheard.
Both Shikamaru and Chouji glared death towards him.
“Oh, grow up.” they both said in unison.
Clearly irked with the said comment, Naruto swallowed the entire bowl and yelled, “What did you say??”
Sakura shook her head, “Enough.” Three pair of eyes settled on her. “You three should all grow up! And by the way, what are you doing here?” her gaze shot straight towards the lazy nin’s direction, clearly saying ‘How dare you ditch my best friend?’
Apparently, he didn’t get it at first, “What do you mean?” Shikamaru asked as one eye brow arched in question.
“You’re supposed to be at Ino’s shop half-an-hour ago. What are you doing here?” Sakura pressed.
Shikamaru looked confused at first and then his eyes slightly widened in realization, “Gee, thanks for reminding me. You’re a great friend.” In exaggeration, Shikamaru scratched the back of his head. He intentionally overlooked his ‘date’ today with that loudmouth. And now Sakura’s here not only to remind him but also to reprimand him about not picking up her best friend on time. Better switch the subject immediately before things eventually turn out boring for him, “By the way, I just got back from a mission briefing. I came here to tell you that Hokage-sama’s expecting to see you this afternoon.”
Sakura blinked, “She does?” she asked while wondering why her sensei wanted to see her. Could it be possible that she already knows about her attempts of leaving Konoha? She couldn’t help not to shudder at the thought. If Tsunade-sama asked to see her only to be chastised for not thinking like a full-fledged medic-nin, she’d better prepare herself.
Naruto suddenly paled at the mentioning of that old hag’s name, “S-Sakura… I don’t think this is the best time to see her…”
“I can’t say no to the Hokage, Naruto.” Sakura reasoned out.
“B-but!” the blonde’s head whipped towards her, “She’ll eat you alive!”
Sakura groaned and raised an eyebrow. Naruto can really exaggerate sometimes, “What makes you think that?”
“She—she must’ve misunderstood what happened last night…”
“I’m still here, she wouldn’t fuss over that.” Lightly, she shrugged her shoulders, “It’s probably another mission briefing.”
“PROBABLY??” Naruto exclaimed rather too loudly, obviously gaining a lot of unwanted attention from the passer by’s, “That’s no assurance… ‘baa-chan can strike like a horse! She’s ten times powerful than Orochimaru and Itachi combined!”
Sakura looked at her friend and then started to laugh. She could still remember that night when Naruto returned from a mission in Sound, wounded and unconscious. She had never seen Tsunade-sama so worried before. Immediately, she tended on Naruto’s wounds and when he recovered three days after, all he got was a good slap on the cheek and strings of castigation from the Hokage herself. She almost acted like a mother/sister to Naruto. Noting that he reminded her so much of her own brother who died.
Shikamaru sighed, “These people are mad. I’m out of here.” He then stood up and flipped the flap for his exit.
“Wait up!” Chouji stood up and followed his best friend.
“What’s so funny?” Ignoring Shikamaru and Chouji’s great escape, Naruto’s eye twitched. Quite irked by the gale of her laughter.
Sakura took pity on her friend’s situation and stopped laughing. But that did not stop her from grinning, “As much as I appreciate your concern, Naruto. I’m going.” She stood up and straightened her dress. Her eyes full of mirth, eyed him, “Don’t worry, I won’t let her kick my ass for nothing. Ja!”
Naruto was about to say something though he was quickly interrupted when the owner announced his third order. All was forgotten the minute that bowl of ramen touched his hands.
**
Through the entirety of the night, Sasuke remained inside his room, knees against his chest while his eyes absently stared off somewhere outside his window.
The events last night overwhelmed him. He didn’t know what’s gotten into him. He never reacted like that before. Not with a girl. Not with Sakura… of all people…
I want an heir… that’s all I ever wanted in the first place. But then… his hands clenched while he closed his eyes from the pain of watching the snow fall for the past three hours. Why does Sakura’s refusal upset me more than I would let on? He asked himself, not knowing what to answer.
His plan was perfectly crafted.
He’ll ask for Sakura’s hand in marriage.
Marry her.
Get her pregnant.
Continue his bloodline.
…
Raise his children with her.
Come home with the expectation of seeing his kids and his wife preparing a feast for his return.
Watch his wife reprimand his children and love them at the same time.
Cuddle together as they watch the kids play outside.
Tell sweet nothings to his wife’s ear as she giggle and return the favour by kissing him with passion.
Touch her.
Love her.
Worship her.
Make her the happiest woman in the whole world.
Have a happy home with her and his children.
Forget the awful past and build a wonderful future.
The first five were his original plans. The rest just came into his mind the moment he left Sakura that night.
“Sakura…”
He didn’t know what to think right now. There are a lot of single women out there who will do everything for them to get noticed. He can always marry one and impregnate her so he could get a child. But then the thought of marrying someone other than Sakura seemed so wrong. If there’s anyone he wanted to live the rest of his life with... that would be Sakura. The conversation they had last night made him realize something he overlooked for years.
He was in-love with her.
Pathetically, foolishly, unbelievably in-love with her.
And here he thought he was not capable of having such an emotion.
Sasuke gave out a bitter laugh. Who would’ve thought? After years of ignoring her, he finally realized that she’s more than a team mate and a friend to him.
She was everything he wanted in a woman.
The perfect wife.
“What have you done to me?” he whispered as his voice faded along the cold December wind.
TBC