Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Kaka/Saku Drabbles ❯ When ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

When

A silver haired ninja looked through the falling rain to a sakura tree. It wasn't the tree that caught his attention but the woman sitting under the drooping boughs. Her bubble gum locks were glistening and plastered to the side of her heart shaped face. Her jade eyes were dull and empty as she watched the falling rain. She seemed ethereal with her sad demeanor and young beauty.

 

Kakashi knew the cause of her pain. It tore at his heart to see this loving creature become depressed so. Her heart had been broken. By her first love no less. But with time he thought her heart would mend. It had been a year and she was still the same. She had lost weight and she threw herself into her medic studies. She was still ranked a Chuunin, but everyone knew that she was far beyond that level. He had never foreseen this and he blamed his self for part of her neglect. He was supposed to have been her teacher, but he had devoted his time and attention to a vengeful soul. He should of known better.

 

'Let me help you,' Kakashi thought as he slowly walked towards the tree. She didn't even look up as he stood at the base of the tree. Her mind was else where. He wanted to help her so much, but he didn't know the first thing about loving someone. His own heart was ravaged, but he knew that he had to try. Sakura was a beautiful and caring woman who deserved all the happiness in the world. She had been through too much to give up now.

 

“Sakura?” He said as he jumped up onto the thick branch she was sitting on he walked towards her. Her eyes flickered momentarily before closing.

 

“What is it Kakashi?” Sakura asked tonelessly as she hugged herself a little tighter. She was shivering from the cold but she wasn't going to find shelter like she should.

 

“Are you alright?” A stupid question but he had to see if he could get some kind of response from the saddened woman. He crouched on the branch in front of her bare legs as he held her knees gently.

 

“Yes,” Sakura answered quietly as her eyes lingered on his hands that were rubbing her legs, bringing warmth to the appendages.

 

“Okay. Do you want some company?”

 

“Sure.” Sakura watched slightly curious as Kakashi turned to the side and sat on the branch, his long legs hanging off the branch. A long silence ensued as the rain continued to cascade from the dark sky. Kakashi slid his hooded gaze to study the woman on his side.

 

She had grown up, emotionally and physically. Her hair was still cropped short as was it the same light pink from when she was still twelve. Her face was more pronounced with a certain beauty to it that caught every male's attention. Kakashi knew that she had never had any relations with the opposite sex since Sasuke's departure. But she had plenty of suitors who would be more than glad to give her their heart. From experience and knowing her for so long Kakashi knew that she wanted someone to understand her plight.

 

She was always giving, but she never wanted anything in return. It tore at his heart so bad that he had a pain in his chest constantly. After half an hour of silence Kakashi stood up from the branch.

 

“I have to go. If you ever need me just say when and I'll be there.” Kakashi ran the back of his knuckles along her soft cheek before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.

***

One week had passed since Kakashi had found Sakura in the rain. He was currently returning from a mission that had been a success. The whole time he had been gone he had thought about Sakura and how much he cared about her. If someone was ever able to catch Sakura's attention then he knew that he would have a hard time accepting it. She was the only thing in his life besides a few friends that he wanted to always be with. Never had he felt this kind of emotion. He knew it was love. But was Sakura willing to accept him when she was still in so much pain?

 

After turning in his mission report Kakashi walked the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman who had stolen his heart. He saw her by her unmistakable hair, walking through the residence section with her head bowed. A lighter tension was in her step as she walked. She seemed to be doing better to Kakashi's experienced eye.

 

“Sakura?” Kakashi called softly as he got a few feet from her.

 

Sakura spun around in mid-step to come face to face with a green vest. Kakashi watched her face as her eyes roamed slowly up to his masked face and uncovered eye.

 

“Good morning Kakashi,” Sakura said softly as she let out her breath.

 

“Good morning. Are you alright?” Kakashi asked as he brought a hand up to her hair, feeling its softness between his fingers.

 

“Yes. Thank you for last time.”

 

“Any time. Just tell me when,” Kakashi said as he took her gently by the elbow and began to walk with her. “Were you going to eat?”

 

“Yes. I haven't been eating breakfast lately. I thought I should start to again,” Sakura replied slowly as a frown formed on her face. Kakashi took in the sight and draped his arm around her shoulder before ruffling her hair like he used to when she was a Genin. That action instantly brought a smile to her rosy lips. “Kakashi?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I'm glad you're back,” Sakura spoke with a small smile.

 

“Me too Sakura. Me too.”

***

Another few days had passed before Kakashi caught another sign of his cherry blossom. She had been working at the hospital for nights on end with barely any rest. Even though she was deprived of much needed sleep she looked even more beautiful to Kakashi's eye.

 

“Sakura,” Kakashi greeted with a raised hand and a grin beneath his mask as he caught up with the kunoichi.

 

“Oh Kakashi. You startled me. Where have you been?” Sakura asked with a smile as she looked up at Kakashi who was walking beside her.

“Escorting a noble to his home in Fang country. Sorry I didn't say anything. It was kind of urgent,” Kakashi said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.

 

“No problem. I understand. Hey, do you want to get lunch together?” Sakura asked with a small blush as she looked down at her sandals.

 

“I'd love to,” Kakashi answered with an eye crinkle as he took Sakura's small hand into his own.

***

“Kakashi?” Sakura asked hesitantly as they lay on the ground after a day of training.

 

“Yes?” Kakashi answered as he turned his head to the side to observe Sakura. Another week had passed since they had lunch together with other occurrences in between. Sakura was now more confident if her smiles were anything to go by. Her steps were lighter and her eyes were brighter with that sparkle back in them.

 

“Can you meet me here tomorrow around sun down?” Sakura asked quickly with a small blush adorning her pale cheeks.

 

“Yes. I'll be here.”

 

Kakashi walked into the clearing with small steps as he took in the night sky. It was a hue of purple and orange as the sun sank behind the western horizon. Emboldened against such a beautiful sky was an even more beautiful sight.

Sakura was dressed in a simple kimono of white. Stitched along the hem and left shoulder were falling cherry blossom petals. Her hair was lying against her creamy shoulders and neck. Her feet were bare, her slippers lying to the side.

 

Kakashi appeared behind Sakura and took her into his arms, pressing her against his chest. He lay his chin atop her head and breathed her scent in deeply. She trembled slightly in his arms, not from cold but from a sense of things to come.

 

“I didn't know if you would come,” she spoke hesitantly as she tilted her head back to look into his eyes. He had removed his headband, opting to have both eyes open for a clearer view.

 

“I'll always come for you Sakura. You're too precious to me,” Kakashi spoke softly with a rumble as he drew Sakura closer to his warmth.

 

“Kakashi?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Will you always stay with me?” Sakura asked as she turned fully around with her hands splayed on his chest.

 

“Forever and always,” Kakashi spoke quietly into her ear. Pulling back he looked her in the eyes, her beautiful jade eyes that were so full of passion and love.

 

“I think I love you Kakashi,” Sakura said with a blush as she gazed into his mismatched eyes. “But, I don't want to get hurt again.”

 

“I will never hurt you. I love you more than life itself.” Kakashi pulled his mask down with a quick swipe and pulled Sakura closer. She gasped before his lips collided with hers. It was long and sweet, encompassing them with a warm glow. Kakashi poured all his love and promise into that one simple kiss.

 

“Just say when and I'll always be there no matter what,” Kakashi whispered before closing the short distance between them.

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I hope you enjoyed it. I got this idea from the song Say When by Lonestar.

Please review. XD