Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Love ❯ The Question of a Lifetime ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and sadly I never will.

Unexpected Love

Chapter 14

The Question of a Lifetime

Sakura had just finished packing enough essentials for a week long vacation as Kakashi came back in her window with a backpack on his back. She had been thinking about what he had in store for her. He usually was never one to keep secrets unless it was for the safety of someone or just to tease her.

 

"Ready?" Kakashi asked as he glanced at the stuffed gray backpack that was sitting on the floor by her bed.

 

"Yes, are we going now?" Sakura asked as she swung her backpack up on her back. It did not weigh but a few pounds because she had only packed a few extra pairs of clothing and a few necessities.

 

"Yes, let's go," Kakashi said before closing her window and walking out of her room with Sakura in front of him. Leaving the house Kakashi locked the door behind him and turned in time to see Naruto running down the street towards them.

 

"Hey guys, where are you going?" Naruto yelled out of breath as he came to a halt beside them.

 

"Hey Naruto, we were just leaving," Sakura said happily as she wrapped her arms around Naruto, giving him a hug.

 

"Where are you going Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked as he was released from Sakura's grip that was quite strong and nodded to Kakashi in greeting.

 

"I don't know, Kakashi here wouldn't tell me, but we're supposed to be gone for a week," Sakura explained as she gazed tentatively at Kakashi to see if he would reveal anything.

 

"Really? You mean old lady Hokage let you go?" Naruto asked incredulously.

 

"Yes, she's not that evil Naruto," Sakura said as she shifted her weight on her other foot.

 

"Well, we better get going because we don't want to travel in the dark," Kakashi said before nodding at Naruto and turning around to head for the village gates.

 

After Kakashi was a good distance away Sakura turned back to Naruto. "Do you know what he's planning?" Sakura asked Naruto quietly so Kakashi would not be able to hear her.

 

"No, why?" Naruto asked confused and as clueless as ever.

 

"Never mind, well, I'll see you later Naruto!" Sakura yelled as she pivoted on her heel and raced after Kakashi. "Wait up Kakashi!" Sakura yelled as Kakashi jumped through the tress of one of Konoha's forests.

 

"I thought you were faster than that Sakura, you're going as slow as a slug!" Kakashi yelled back over his shoulder, but slowed down his pace at the same time.

 

"Well you're not the one that's carrying a heavy backpack here," Sakura accused though the backpack wasn't that heavy it still gave you a killer backache if you left it on for a long while.

 

"You should have packed less then," Kakashi teased as Sakura caught her breath after they had stopped for a rest.

 

"Yeah, well you should of told me where we were going and I would of been able to pack what I needed," Sakura accused before straightening up and dropping to the forest floor.

 

"How much longer are we going?" Sakura asked as she started walking on a forest path with Kakashi beside her.

 

"Two more miles," he said before picking up his pace until both him and Sakura were walking faster.

 

In an hour and a half of silence Kakashi finally stopped and turned to Sakura who was grimacing.

 

"Okay, we are here," Kakashi said nonchalantly.

 

"What! You mean to tell me that we just came here to camp?" Sakura asked incredulously with her hands on her hips.

 

"No, here," Kakashi walked behind Sakura and slid her backpack off of her shoulders before dropping it on the ground with his own. "Close your eyes," Kakashi instructed as he took Sakura's hand into his own.

 

"Why?"

 

"Because I said so," Kakashi teased. In one swipe he took her headband off her head and tied it around her eyes until she couldn't see. He waved his hand in front of her but seeing that she didn't flinch he took her by the hand again and led her through a thicket of bushes. Leaving her standing at the edge of the clearing, Kakashi hurriedly took some things out of his backpack.

"Okay, you can look now," Kakashi said with a smile after he had walked back to Sakura's still form.

 

Sakura removed her headband, but it soon dropped to the ground with a soft thud as she looked around at their surroundings.

 

They were standing in a large glade that was surrounded by the forest they had just exited. To the right of the valley was a large space filled with huge boulders where a cascading waterfall was rushing down the rocks in a roar. A stream led from the waterfall after it fell into a small pool and on into the forest. The water sparkled like glitter floated on top of it; it was so clear that you could see the many colorful Koi swimming in its depths.

 

On the nearest side of the waterfall there was a small log cabin that was surrounded with a different assortment of flowers that bloomed in the spring. The sun shone down on the valley as if it was a holy place that Kami himself smiled upon.

 

"W-Wow, this is amazing," Sakura whispered in awe as she looked over everything once again. Under a weeping willow tree with it's leaves dangling in the water there was a blanket spread out with numerous assortments of food laid out. "You did all of this," Sakura whispered, still not believing her eyes.

 

"Yes, come on, let's eat," Kakashi said gently as he took Sakura's hand and led her to the blanket beneath the tree.

 

Once they arrived at the blanket Sakura looked over the assortment of food. The food ranged from fried fish that was hot to ripe strawberries that glistened in the dappled light that filtered through the branches.

 

Sitting down Sakura hungrily reached for the trout that brought a wonderful aroma of well-cooked fish to her senses that made her stomach growl. "How did you cook this so fast?" Sakura asked with amazement before biting into the crisp fish.

 

"Fire jutsu," Kakashi shrugged as he sat down opposite Sakura and pulled down his mask as he began eating.

 

Sakura glanced up and could not help but stare at Kakashi's uncovered face. She had seen it many times before but every time she saw his face her breath was still taken away at how handsome he looked. She started wondering once again what Kakashi was up to. She never thought that he would have taken her to a secluded place where there was nobody else. Suddenly an idea popped into her head that made her body freeze in surprise. 'He isn't is he?' Sakura thought but shrugged the thought away, thinking that it was too early for that.

 

They finished their meal in complete silence as they both reveled in their beautiful surroundings. After the food had been completely devoured Sakura sidled up beside Kakashi and laid her head on his shoulder. "How did you find this place?" Sakura asked as Kakashi circled one of his hands around her back to play with her hair.

 

"I was coming back from one of my missions and I was attacked by some missing ninja that had been using this place. After I had disposed of them I thought this place would look really beautiful if it was just cleaned up some."

 

"When did you find it?"

 

"The last mission I went on, and when I saw this place I thought of you and how it was a lot like you," Kakashi said with a smile at the memory as he glanced down at the woman in his arms.

 

"Really?" Sakura asked with a childlike innocence.

 

"Yes, but you are more beautiful than this place," Kakashi whispered before bending his head down and lightly brushing his lips across Sakura's.

 

"Why do you say things that are not true?" Sakura whispered back just as quietly.

 

"It is true in my eyes. I love you Sakura and there is nothing in this world that will change that. You are beautiful, every kunoichi in Konoha is envious of your intelligence and looks." Kakashi stroked the side of Sakura's face with his slightly callused hand as a few glistening tears escaped her wide sea-foam eyes.

 

"Thanks, I love you too," Sakura said lovingly as she wiped the remaining tears off her face with a smile now adorning her features. "So, what are we supposed to do now?" Sakura asked after a moment of silence.

 

"Well, we could unpack our things in the cabin or we could just be lazy and watch the clouds," Kakashi said with an aura of humor about him.

 

"You're starting to sound like Shikamaru," Sakura laughed before pushing up off of the ground. Turning back around she took Kakashi's hand and gave him a hard pull that made him fly up on his feet instantly.

 

"I think you learned too much from Tsunade-sama," Kakashi joked as she rubbed his now numb hand that Sakura had just released.

 

"Maybe. Come on, let's go get out bags and unpack," Sakura said as she grabbed Kakashi's hand once again and took off across the glade to retrieve their backpacks they had left behind.

After they had got their bags they made their way to the small cabin. Sakura could not wait any longer to see what the cabin held in store for her.

 

The steps that led up to the cabin was just made out of plain wood planks that ended at the first of the porch. The porch wasn't much but it was strong enough to hold both her and Kakashi's weight. Sakura reached out and opened the slightly rusty knob and pushed the door open slowly, which creaked on its hinges.

 

Stepping into the slightly musty cabin Sakura took in her surroundings that brought a smile to her face. The cabin was just a one-roomed place that was beautifully decorated. On the right side was a glass window with a small wooden bench below it that would seat only two people. In the farthest right corner was a silver love seat. Beside that on the way farthest from Sakura was an assortment of ninja weapons that had always fascinated her. On the left side of the room was a large bed that was covered in silver sheets that looked almost identical to her own. In the middle of the room was a large black and silver carpet with a silver couch in the middle and a coffee table in front of it.

 

The cabin did not hold any sink or any other modern day appliances so it was more like a tent than anything, but with a wooden floor. Sakura walked across the cabin and threw her backpack on the bed before laying back down on it herself.

 

"This is nice," Sakura sighed as she closed her eyes. She felt a dip in the bed indicating that Kakashi was now on the bed beside her. In a moment she felt his hands quickly removing her sandals and his own before lying beside her. She could feel his large hands wrap around her waist and his muscular leg tangle in her own. Sighing in tiredness Sakura laid her head on Kakashi's shoulder before drifting off into a light sleep.

 

Kakashi looked down at the woman in his arms and smiled as he thought about what he had planned for that night. He hoped beyond hope that she would accept what he was going to ask her. Watching her chest rise and fall in sleep he still could not comprehend how he had fallen in love with her. Well, love did work in mysterious ways that no one could fully understand. Giving into sleep himself he lay his head back on the silver pillow before drifting off into the dream world with Sakura.

 

Sakura awoke with a start from the dream she had just came from. She was dreaming that Kakashi asked her to marry him and it made her heart burst with joy. Turning her head she noted that Kakashi was no longer in bed with her. Looking out the window, across the room she was surprised to see that it was already dark outside.

 

Stretching like a cat Sakura then sat up in bed before scooting off the bed and putting on her sandals. Yawning she groaned thinking that now she would be up all night since she had been asleep for quite a long time. She wondered where Kakashi was. Opening the door she noted that it was really warm outside that night and decided to change into some suitable clothing besides her Chunin uniform.

 

Opening her backpack she took out a dress and slipped it over her head after taking off her clothes. She ran a brush through her hair but decided to leave it down. Her pink bubblegum hair now ended at her lower back. She did not grow her hair out for Sasuke but she always thought that Kakashi liked long hair. Suddenly the premonition came to her that she had indeed liked Kakashi even before she admitted it to herself.

 

"Now where's he at?" Sakura asked herself out loud before changing her sandals for a pair of soft white slippers that she pulled from her backpack. Walking back out the door she closed it before turning around and the breath leaving her lungs.

 

The valley was even more beautiful in the night than it was in the daytime. You could see the full moon clearly above the waterfall. It seemed as if she reached her hand up then she could touch its pocketed surface. The waterfall seemed to glow from the moon's cast light that highlighted every crevasse of the water. The colorful Koi in the stream was shimmering in the light, but remained still in their own underwater world. The grass sparkled from the small amount of dew that had collected on it thin blades.

 

But what really stood out was a figure with silver hair with black Jounin pants and shirt on that had his back turned to her and was looking out over the lapping pond where the waterfall dropped.

 

Stepping lightly Sakura made her way beside Kakashi and looked up to find that he was not wearing his mask or headband. She took his hand into her own and lay her head on his shoulder that rose and fell with his breath.

 

"Beautiful," Kakashi whispered as he looked down at Sakura with a loving look in his mismatched eyes. He watched fascinated as the color rose in Sakura's cheeks that brought a glow to her that he couldn't quite describe. "I love that I can make you blush," he said as he held Sakura's neck before bending his head down and giving her a loving kiss on the lips.

 

Sakura remained silent after he had removed his lips from hers, as she did not want to ruin the peaceful moment.

 

"Would you like to dance?" Kakashi asked as he turned Sakura around to face him.

 

"Dance? But we don't have any music," Sakura said confused as she looked questioningly up into Kakashi's eyes.

 

"Stay here, I'll be right back," Kakashi whispered in her ear before releasing her hands and jogging over to the weeping willow where they had ate later that day.

 

Sakura watched as he bent down at the base of the tree and pushed something that looked like a stereo. She was right as soft romantic music started to float from across the distance to her ears.

Kakashi turned around to head back towards Sakura when he stopped in his tracks. He had never seen anything as beautiful as what he was gazing at now.

 

He had not noticed before but Sakura was wearing a soft white dress that flowed over her curved hips and ended at her knees. It seemed to glow on it's own accord as fireflies circled her body in a dazzling dance. It made her skin seem tan but not so much as to mar the soft beauty of her porcelain skin. To complement her features she had a pair of small white slippers that looked to be made of silk with her hair cascading down like the waterfall that continued flowing behind her.

 

His throat constricted as he gazed upon her form in the still of the night. Suddenly a nervous air clenched his body as he started back towards Sakura in a slow pace. What if she didn't accept his statement? What if she wanted something different than what he was offering? What if...His thoughts were cut short when he reached her and his breath stilled once again as he watched the loving grin spread across her face.

 

"Shall we dance?" Kakashi asked softly, lovingly as he took Sakura's small hand into his own. He lay his other hand on her hip as he held the one in his hand to his chest as he lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

 

'Sakura in turn draped her hand on Kakashi's shoulder and the other held tightly in his warm hand that seemed to be shaking slightly. Or was that her own hand? Suddenly a slow song drifted from the radio that stirred something deep within her chest as she thought that this was what she had always dreamed of. The song held no words but if she recalled correctly it was called First Love. And indeed she was now in her first love's arms for she came to realize that Sasuke was only just an infatuation.

 

Sakura deeply breathed in the scent of Kakashi and the outdoors that mingled into a highly exotic intoxication. As the song started to come to a close she felt Kakashi pull back from her a pace and watched in complete shock as he knelt down on one knee while holding her left hand.

"Haruno Sakura, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, my love, my life, I would be the happiest man on this earth if you would be my wife."

 

Suddenly right before her eyes materialized a white rose from Kakashi's hand. Taking the rose into her shaking hand Sakura spread the petals out to reveal a small white velvet box. Looking at Kakashi with tear filled eyes she carefully lay the rose down on the ground and rested her weight on her knees before daring to open the box.

Inside, resting on a down of silk was a white ring of gold. On top of the band was a clear diamond in the shape of a sakura flower. Engraved on the inside was the words, I love you my cherry blossom. Holding the ring out to Kakashi he gently took it and holding her hand, slipped the ring on her left ring finger.

 

Not being able to hold the tears at bay any longer, they slipped down her cheeks to fall on their entwined hands. Throwing herself at Kakashi he caught her in his arms and held her close as Sakura repeated over and over again "yes."