Her Ordeals

Chapter 12

Sakura noticed the discomfort between Kakashi and I and she got worried. She decided to approached me after her tree training with the boys since we both assigned in guarding Tazuna-san while doing some business in the bridge. 

"We're fine, Sakura. If that's what you're worried about. What happened between me and your sensei is nothing we can't handle. It's something you'll fully understand when you grow up." I said while patting her shoulder. I'm aware that Naruto and Sasuke also noticed the sudden change between Kakashi and I and they're also worried but didn't proceed on asking. 

Sakura nodded and decided not to pry anymore so we continued guarding the bridge builders if ever Zabuza suddenly showed up to kill them. 

(╬⓪益⓪)

"Sakura?" I called her when the nightfall came. We're both tired while doing nothing and I know that she's already hungry since it's already past dinner. "Let's go back now." I'm sure Kakashi's going to send Naruto or Sasuke to fetch us if ever we decided to stay longer. 

I held on Sakura's hand to teleport us outside Tazuna-san's house. I let go of her arms when Naruto greeted us, surprised. 

"Ah! Hanare-sensei, Kakashi-sensei went out to fetch you two." I just formed my mouth 'O' and didn't bother to answer Naruto. I just decided to invite them to come inside to rest and ask for Sasuke's whereabout.

"Ah, Sasuke seems so tired so he decided to sleep first." And there I decided to visit Sasuke and found him sleeping on his futon. I brought out a blanket when Sasuke curled out of cold and wrapped the blanket on him. 

I gently caressed Sasuke's spiky but soft hair when I heard him hum in his sleep. He must be so tired, not noticing me beside him. Usually, he would be up now. 

I gazed on his angelic but strict young face. He looked so much Itachi and Mikoto, no wonder why Sakura's fond over him. 

"You look so much your brother but I know, you can surpass him. You are you, kid. So, don't ever compare yourself to him. You are his precious little brother, and he'll do everything for you, kid. Itachi loved you so much, always remember that, little Sasuke." I then put a peck on his forehead before deciding to leave him alone, asleep. 

I was greeted by Kakashi who's currently leaning on the wall, outside Sasuke's room. I showed up my concerned look on him when he's still wrapped with the bandages but decided to leave the house. I'm aware that he's strong and fine shinobi of the leaf but he still needs to rest. 

Just how hardheaded he was? 

"You shouldn't left earlier." I told him with a tone of annoyance. But my annoyance fade when he walked towards to my position to give me a warm hug of... longing. I was surprised and couldn't figure out what to do but still let him hug me until he satisfy himself. "I'm not mad, if that's what you're thinking." I told him but he didn't answered. Thus, he wrapped his arms around my waist, tightly. 

"But you'd ignore me." He uttered back wearily, trying not to anger me more. But I wasn't really mad. Maybe I just need to calm myself, like what I did earlier. I need to refresh my mind since It's full of thoughts and our relationship also entered the picture. 

You know, I couldn't afford to be seen weak. I'm carrying the world on my shoulder and one wrong move, It could end. 

Was it wrong to rest with Kakashi? I tried to. But why do I feel that It'll hurt me when I decide to stay with him? 

What is love, really? Was it really painful? Was it better if I'd just stayed in the shadows? 

I released a chuckle on him before patting his back. "Silly, I just refreshed my mind. I'm not also mad. Why would I be mad, right? It's nonsense, okay? So cheer up!" I tried to put energy on my voice so it would look cheery on him. I heard him chuckled at my childishness.