The Fragile

A.N. Hope that you have enjoyed the story so far. I look forward to the reviews!! Let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I don’t own. Sad, but true.

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Chapter 7


Ino found Sakura sobbing outside of her door. She quickly ushered her inside and led her to the couch. She made a pot of coffee and grabbed her stash of chocolates in the pantry. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she was willing to bet money that it had something to do with Kakashi. She opened the chocolates and placed them on the table. She handed Sakura a cup of coffee and waited for her to begin.

Sakura told Ino everything, spilling the details (well, minus a few more personal ones). Ino was shocked that Kakashi could be so insensitive. But then again, he was a man. Ino regaled Sakura with her own tales of Shikamaru’s insensitivity. It helped to lift her mood a little, but she was still pretty down. After a light dinner she promised Ino that she would get together with her after work tomorrow, she left and went to the one place she felt the most comfortable. The sakura trees. She made it there just before sundown. She lay down among the fallen petals and blended in seamlessly. She watched the sky change from blues and purples to oranges and pinks before fading out to accommodate the night.

Sakura reported to work the next morning, gladly throwing herself in to keep her mind off of things. The day passed rather fast, which she was grateful for. She had two tough cases that nearly drained her of all her chakra. She was looking forward to going home, but she had promised Ino that she would stop by. She wondered if she could get by with just a brief hello before going home. All she wanted to do was crawl up in bed. Her thoughts turned to Kakashi as she made her way to Ino’s house. The fact that he made no effort to contact her had only served to make her think that she was right in all of her assumptions. Kakashi was an asshole. He wasn’t worth her time. Still, berating him did nothing to ease the pain she felt inside. She made it to Ino’s house and knocked on the door. She was hoping that perhaps Ino had forgotten so that she could just go home. But no such luck. Ino answered before she could make her getaway.

“Come in, Sakura.”

“That’s okay, Ino. If you don’t mind I’m just going to go home. I’m really tired and just want to go to bed. I just wanted to stop by to let you know. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow. Besides, I’m don’t want to monopolize your time. I’m sure you could use some extra alone time with Shikamaru.” Sakura offered her a watery smile.

“Actually, he’s away on a mission. He’ll be gone for at least two weeks.” Ino responded. “Have you talked to Kakashi yet?”

“No. And I really don’t care to. The sooner I can get him out of my system the better.” Sakura stated with as much conviction as she could muster.

“Well, I suppose I should tell you then that Kakashi went on that mission with Shikamaru. I guess you shouldn’t expect to hear from him for a couple of weeks.”

Sakura’s sorrow grew into fury. He had NO intention of even speaking to her before he left. ‘What a prick!’ Sakura fumed inwardly.

“It’s alright, Ino. I think I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. We should get together this weekend and have a girl’s night out! It’ll be fun!” Sakura’s anger gave her a renewed sense of determination. She was not about to let this mistake get her down.

“Okay. We’ll talk soon!” Ino was confused by her friend’s rapid change in behavior, but couldn’t complain. She hoped that Sakura could keep her spirits up long enough to break her out of this little depression.

Sakura made her way home that night, intent on getting Hatake Kakashi out of her system. She stripped down to her underthings and fell into bed. She nearly lost it when she realized that she could still smell him on her sheets. In her muddled and weary state last night she had fell asleep on her couch as soon as she returned home. ‘Oh well, looks like another night on the couch’. She grabbed her spare blanket out of her closet before making her way to the living room. Although she slept hard through the night, she had very disturbing dreams.

The next several days flew by for Sakura. She kept busy around work, and when she got home she found various chores and projects to keep her occupied. So far she had managed to scrub her kitchen to the point of sterility, wash her sheets and bedding, and buy herself a new outfit. She figured if she was going out this weekend she should at least look good. She made it through the rest of the week with only a few emotional relapses. She would quietly excuse herself and shed a few tears before pulling herself together again.
~8~

Kakashi was never happier to see the village in the distance. It had been a particularly hard week for him. The mission was only half over and he was making his report to the Hokage. He was going to take this time to find Sakura and set things straight with her. He felt bad about leaving without speaking to her, but he had no other choice. He hoped that she would understand. He still had reservations, but he was hoping that they could come to some sort of agreement. He hoped fervently that she would at least hear him out. But first he had to meet with Tsunade-sama.

Kakashi made his report to the Hokage and set out to Sakura’s apartment. His stomach was churning with trepidation. He scorned himself for feeling so nervous. He knocked hesitantly at her door. He knocked again when he got no response. Still, no answer. Where could she be at this time of night?

~8~

Sakura was having a blast. She hadn’t felt this good in a long time. She looked great in her new dress, and she felt flattered by the attention she garnered in it. She felt even more flattered when Shino showed up and proceeded to engage her in conversation with a side dish of flirtation. She wondered if Ino had set it up, but was too tipsy to care at that point. He was charming and gentlemanly. In her relaxed state she had given in to thoughts of what Shino would be like in bed. He had taken his trademark glasses off after she begged him, and she discovered that behind his shroud he was actually handsome. ‘But not like Kakashi’ her mind supplied. She calmly told the voice in her head to fuck off. No thoughts of Him tonight. She was well into her cups when she started feeling a little too dizzy. Shino offered to walk her home, so of course she said yes. Ino was too busy chatting with the owner of the club. She certainly wasn’t in any condition to do so alone. She may be a kunoichi, but a drunken kunoichi is a dead kunoichi. They left the club after Shino promised Ino to take Sakura straight home. She flashed Sakura a saucy smile before they left.

They made it to Sakura’s house without much trouble. The smoky atmosphere in the club had been subtly suffocating. She had to stop at one point to take a breather, but otherwise she was fine. The fresh air seemed to help her a bit. They talked easily on the way back, Sakura only slightly slurring her words. They met an awkward silence when they reached her doorstep. Should she kiss him? Hug him?

Kakashi watched the pair approach her door from a treetop nearby. He couldn’t tell who the man was that was with Sakura, but he could recognize that pink hair anywhere. He felt a wave of jealousy as they stood at her door. He would be damned if he was going to let that man get into Sakura’s apartment. What did she think she was doing?

Their awkward silence was interrupted when they felt someone with a substantial amount of chakra approaching quickly. Shino pulled Sakura close as he scanned the area. There! They spotted the ninja just before he jumped down from his perch and landed a few feet from them. A wave of relief washed over them as they recognized the telltale silver mane. Kakashi. They relaxed as he approached, but Sakura grew angry when her feelings came back full force. What the fuck was he doing here? Had he been watching her? Kakashi’s scorn lessened as he recognized the lithe frame of Shino. It didn’t stop the feelings of jealousy, however.

“Hello Sakura, Shino.” He stated.

“What do you want?” Sakura snapped. Kakashi sighed internally. He expected this reaction somehow.

“We need to talk.”

Shino could feel the tension in mounting waves. He didn’t know what was going on but he was pretty sure that he didn’t want to.

“Sakura, will you be okay now?” Shino asked politely.

Sakura turned to face Shino and gave him a warm smile. “I’ll be okay. Thanks for walking me home. I had a good time tonight.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you around.”

“Goodnight, Sakura. Kakashi.” Shino nodded his farewell.

Kakashi watched Shino retreat. He waited until he was sure Shino was out of earshot. He turned to Sakura to see her glaring impatiently at him.

“Exactly what did you need to speak to me about?” Sakura’s tone was very snide. He could smell alcohol on her breath. It was easy to see that she had been out. She looked delectable. He had to remind himself of why he was there in the first place.

“We should probably talk about this inside.” He stated matter-of -factly.

“Oh, and why is that? Are you afraid that someone might find out that you slept with your ex-student!” Sakura’s voice increased as she spoke. Kakashi looked worriedly around.

“Please, be reasonable Sakura. I don’t have much time and I would like to discuss… us.” He spoke softly, a counterbalance to Sakura’s near yelling.

“Why, Kakashi-sensei, I had no idea you cared!” Now Sakura was just being downright petulant. He wasn’t sure if the alcohol was exaggerating her emotional state, or if she was just that furious. Either way he feared that he would accomplish nothing tonight. He sighed his frustration. He had hoped that they would make amends and he would return to his mission a much happier man. But it was not to be.

“I do care, Sakura.” He whispered. “Are you seeing Shino?” As much as it would hurt to know that she was with someone else, he had to know if he would be wasting his time.

“I don’t know. I like him, and he isn’t afraid to let anyone know he likes me too.” Kakashi could feel a knife twisting in his heart. There were so many reasons that Shino and Sakura would be a better couple. He could take no more. He squared his shoulders, in a mock show of confidence.

“If you ever decide…. that you want to work things out, I’ll be around. Goodbye Sakura.” He turned and walked away without looking back. It would hurt too much.

A.N. It’s good to have AFF back! That said, please leave reviews! I need affirmation!