Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Circumstances ❯ Decline and Goodbye ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Misashi Kishimoto owns all rights to Naruto.

 

Chapter 4

 

Decline and Goodbye

 

Kakashi awoke in the early morning hours. The sun had yet to rise in the east. He looked beside him to see Sakura, sleeping peacefully. He frowned when memories from the previous day surface to his mind. He had never thought that they would have had two fights in the course of a week. But now that Sakura knew about the upcoming mission he knew that things would go back to normal. Or at least he hoped they would.

 

His frown deepened when he thought about what he had to do this morning. Tsunade would most likely turn down his request. It was almost inevitable. But he had to try. If not for more than that Sakura would regain his trust. Kakashi quietly crept out of bed, making sure not to wake his sleeping wife. He quickly discarded his sleepwear and got dressed in his normal shinobi attire.

 

After one last look at Sakura he slipped out the window. The citizens of Konoha were beginning to rouse, many already up and about their daily rituals. Kakashi easily skirted over the rooftops, arriving in minutes at the Hokage Tower. He wasn't at all surprised to see Tsunade already up, her desk piled with stacks of paperwork. He didn't bother knocking before he entered her office.

 

Tsunade looked up from her desk with furrowed brows. “What do you want this early, Kakashi?”

 

Kakashi came to stand in front of Tsunade's desk, his hands for once not in his pockets. “I need to request something of you.”

 

Tsunade lowered her stamp as she focused her complete attention on Kakashi. “A request? I don't think you've ever asked for one of those before. Haven't I done enough for you already?”

 

Kakashi sighed, he knew this wasn't going to be easy. “Yes, and I'm eternally grateful for that. But Sakura found out about the mission…”

Tsunade straightened in her chair. “You told her?”

 

Kakashi shook his head. “No. She overheard Genma and Anko talking.”

 

Tsunade sighed as she slumped in her chair. “I knew this wasn't going to be easy. I expect she wants you to drop the mission.”

 

Kakashi nodded.

 

“I can't do that. You're the only one capable of doing this mission. If you don't go then lives will recklessly be thrown away. I'm sorry, but Sakura must understand that.”

 

Kakashi dropped his head in defeat. “I understand.” He left the Hokage Tower, making his way slowly through the streets. How was he going to tell Sakura about this?

 

“She declined your offer, didn't she?”

 

Kakashi looked up to see Sasuke leaning against a building up ahead. Kakashi nodded. “Yeah…”

Sasuke pushed up from the building. He walked across the street, looking over his shoulder at Kakashi. “Are you coming?”

 

Kakashi arched a brow at Sasuke's weird behavior before he followed. He was surprised when Sasuke led him to a bar, one that stayed open through all hours of the day, a popular place for shinobi. Sasuke ordered drinks as Kakashi mulled over how he was going to tell Sakura the news.

 

Sasuke sat across from Kakashi, pushing a cup of sake towards him. Sasuke watched with concealed eyes as Kakashi drowned the liquid and reached for the bottle to refill his cup. “Drinking won't solve your problems.”

 

Kakashi narrowed his eye. “I know. Why did you bring me here anyway?”

 

Sasuke looked Kakashi in the eye, his hardened ones serious. “You're going to tell Sakura what Tsunade said, right? Have you told her any of the details about the mission?”

 

Kakashi sighed as he drowned another cup of sake through his mask. “Yes and no.”

 

“You're just going to make things worse if you don't tell her what you'll be doing.”

 

Kakashi looked at Sasuke suspiciously. “Who are you and what have you done with Sasuke?”

 

A flash of amusement entered Sasuke's eyes. “You would do well taking my advice.”

 

“Why are you helping me?”

 

Sasuke leaned back in his chair. “I made almost the same mistake with Sakura before. I didn't tell her my feelings and look where I ended up. I don't want to see you make the same mistake.”

 

“Funny,” Kakashi laughed. “I've never heard you give emotional advice before.”

 

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. “Don't get used to it. Just remember what I said, okay?” He rose.

 

Kakashi nodded. “Sure thing. And Sasuke?”

Sasuke turned his head back to look over his shoulder. “What?”

 

“Ino would make a nice wife…”

 

Sasuke eyes widened before he left the bar. With a shake of his head Sasuke headed towards the mission office.

 

Kakashi twirled the sake in his cup in contemplation. He pushed it away, laying money on the table before he rose. He left the bar. Perhaps Sasuke wasn't all bad after all.

 

 

Kakashi entered his house. He pulled off his sandals before he went in search of Sakura. He found her in the kitchen cooking breakfast. He frowned. Why was she cooking breakfast?

 

He took a few steps forward until he was standing behind her, his hands on her shoulders. “Tsunade declined…”

Kakashi tensed when Sakura turned. Sakura was smiling. “That's okay. I understand that you're needed on this mission.”

Kakashi frowned. He would have thought that she would have flipped out by now, not be greeting him with a smile. But Kakashi was a master at concealing his emotions and he saw that her smile was fake. And it hurt him.

 

 

 

One week later Kakashi was summoned to the debriefing for the mission. When he arrived in Tsunade-sama's office he looked around at his teammates. His team consisted of Genma, Anko, and Shikamaru Nara, some of the best shinobi in the village.

 

Tsunade cleared her throat to get their attention. She pulled a file from a pile on her desk. “Let's get down to business, shall we?” Tsunade opened the file and glanced at the sheets within. “Your mission is to travel to Oto and gather information on the new leader. You will use fake names and backgrounds when you go into any village. You are to return within three weeks. If you are not back by then I'll assume the worse and send out a rescue team.”

 

Tsunade looked up at Kakashi. “You are the leader on this mission. Everything that happens will be in your hands, understood?”

 

Kakashi nodded.

 

Tsunade's eyes softened as she looked into Kakashi's eye. She knew how this would tear Sakura and him apart but he was the only one capable for this mission. “You are dismissed.”

 

Kakashi stayed behind as his team members left. When he could hear their footsteps no more he turned her attention back to Tsunade. “You'll watch over her, won't you?”

 

Tsunade stood from her seat, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked out the window. “I'm assuming you're talking about Sakura.” She turned her head to look at Kakashi. “I'll keep her safe. She'll be fine.”

 

Kakashi bowed, something that he had never done before. “Thank you, Tsunade-sama.”

 

Tsunade waved a hand. “Think nothing of it. Sakura was once my student, she's like a daughter to me.”

 

Kakashi thanked Tsunade once more before he left. His worries were diminished, if only for a little while. Kakashi returned home and trudged up the stairs, following the feel of Sakura's chakra. He found her in their bedroom, sitting on the bed and looking out the window with a frown on her face. When Kakashi came in she looked up and smiled brilliantly. “You're back. That was quick.”

 

Kakashi came over and sat by Sakura on the bed. He caressed her stomach through her thin shirt. “Are you doing okay?”

 

Sakura's smile softened, her eyes shining. “Yes. Both me and the baby are fine.”

 

Kakashi reached over, pulling down his mask and kissing Sakura softly on the mouth. “Good. I won't be back for three weeks. You need someone to check on you while I'm gone.”

 

Sakura giggled. “Kakashi. I'm not even showing yet. What could possibly happen?” Sakura saw the frown on Kakashi's face and decided to appease him. “But if it will make you feel any better…I'll have Ino-chan come by every day.”

 

Kakashi smiled and tweaked Sakura on the nose. “I knew you would see it my way.”

 

Sakura swiped his hand away. “You're so arrogant.”

 

Kakashi smirked. “Don't you like that about me, my little cherry blossom?”

 

Sakura blushed. How many times had he called her that and she still got flustered? “Cut it out, Kakashi.”

 

Kakashi reached for Sakura, holding her waist. “Or what?” He bent his head and nipped at Sakura's neck.

 

Sakura moaned. “Or…or I'll…burn all you're books.”

 

Kakashi looked up for a moment before he began attacking her neck again. “Really?” He said between kisses. “I thought you enjoyed those books…”

 

Sakura arched forward as Kakashi cupped her breast. “You're a beast…”

 

Kakashi straddled Sakura's legs, holding his weight off of her. “Don't I know it.”

0o0

Sakura lay in bed spent. That was some of the best lovemaking she had had since their wedding night. But it was understandable since he was leaving and possibly wouldn't come back. At those depressing thoughts her sated smile turned into a frown. Why couldn't she come to grips with his leaving?

 

Sakura looked around the room to find Kakashi by their closet. Tears surfaced to her eyes as she watched him pack clothes and equipment in his travel bag. When he was finished he turned around just as Sakura's tears began to leak out of her eyes.

Kakashi hurried over to the bedside and cradled Sakura in his arms as she began to sob. “Shh…Don't cry…Everything's going to be okay.”

 

Sakura raised her head as she gripped the front of Kakashi's vest. “How do you know that? You might never return.”

 

Kakashi cupped Sakura's cheeks in his hands. “There is nothing in this world that could ever keep me from you. I love you, Sakura. I love you and our child. No matter what happens…I'll always be with you.”

 

Sakura cried aloud as she threw herself into Kakashi's arms. She continued to repeat that she loved him over and over until he had to gently pry her off of him. Sakura dried her eyes with the back of her hand.

 

“I have to go now,” Kakashi said as he stood from the bed.

Sakura stood up and began getting dressed. “I'll see you off.”

 

They left their home hand in hand, Kakashi's pack slung on his back. They arrived at the gates to find Kakashi's team already assembled, waiting for him. Kakashi turned to Sakura and kissed her passionately. When he pulled back Sakura had tears in her eyes once again. Kakashi wiped them away with his thumbs. “Is this a side affect of being pregnant?”

 

Sakura laughed hoarsely. “Maybe. We'll be waiting when you return. I love you.”

 

Kakashi kissed Sakura once more before he stepped back. “I love you too. Goodbye, Sakura.”

 

“Goodbye,” Sakura whispered as she walked Kakashi walk away.

 

When he had gone through the gates Sakura jumped onto the wall. She looked down at Kakashi's back, silently praying for his safe return. Before he had disappeared from her sight Sakura watched him turn around. He waved once before he was gone from her sight. Sakura smiled. He would return…

 

 

Next Time: Kakashi and Team arrive in Oto. Danger ensues in which everyone is losing a one-sided battle.

 

So, what did you guys think of this chapter? Again, I was going to make this into two chapters but it was just too short. So maybe it won't be 15 chapters long. Hm…sorry if this was a little…talkative, but I had to put in something that showed how devastated they would be.

 

Anyway, look for a new chapter tomorrow. XD

 

 

 

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