When Everything Changed II
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Kakashi x Sakura
Rating: T
Part two of When Everything Changed. Things are broken, a patient is threatened, and there's a possibility of two individuals coming to an understanding.
(Please forgive any typos! If you spot any atrocious ones, please let me know and I'll fix it! Thank you.)
Sakura stood at attention, attempting not to flinch as various office items were thrown and broken around her. Her mentor, her Hokage, was on a rage and rightfully so. A stapler hurdled through the air at her head and Sakura dodged it, watching as it broke in half on the floor. She slowly turned and met Tsunade's dark glare.
"Sorry, it's just habit."
Tsunade closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "When you found him you shoud've reported it."
"I know, but-"
"He needed immediate medical attention, I'm aware. You took off your radio, Haruno. None of us could reach you and it escalated into not only trying to find Hatake, but you as well! Do you have any idea-" Her jaw clenched as she brought herself to an abrupt halt. "I'm thankful you found him and that you're alright, but I cannot let your insubordination go without punishment."
"Shishou, please-"
"What kind of leader would I look like if I played favorites? You're a damn fine medic, but you didn't follow protocol. You're to take a four day leave without pay and the treatment of Hatake will be transferred to another medic.
Sakura had always been the one to tend to her teammates ever since she gained her status. "But Tsunade!"
"Quiet!" she snapped as she rounded the desk. "I didn't say you couldn't visit him."
Leveling her former student with a hard stare, Tsunade then turned and opened the door before looking back over her shoulder. "Clean up and then you may leave."
Sakura looked around as the door shut: papers were strewn about, the bookshelf was in disarray, and what were once office accessories were now fragments of their former beings. This could take a while.
~*~*~
Like heavy steel doors, Kakashi's eyes pried open. White walls, generic patterns, and the steady hum of machinery greeted him. The blinds were closed, blocking out the sun's radiance and the overhead light was off. Pulling himself up to sit, he found his stomach to still be sensitive and winced under the discomfort.
The sound of high heels clacking against the linoleum floors alerted him to his coming visitor. As expected, the door opened and the light was clicked on as Tsunade entered. He pulled a face, clenching his eye shut as it was attacked by the light. He could hear the door shut and the lock click into place.
"You're incredibly lucky, Hatake; from my understanding you have a very loyal and capable medic."
He offered a grin - an amiable switch that turned on as a defense mechanism. "Ah, well, she learned from the best."
"Cut the shit you little brat. For the last five years I have been statistically careful in assigning missions in hopes of cutting down incident. While the method has been successful, you, however, always happen to wind up in a hospital bed. Why is that?"
"Statistics aren't always right, Hokage-sama."
"Ever since the last war you've pushed yourself - and your luck - too far on every assignment. What kind of ninja does that?"
Folding his hands over his lap, he noted the IV in his left and stared at it for a moment. "From what I remember, it is my sworn duty to protect my village and its people at all costs, even if the cost is my life."
"The focus is not to lose that life! You're being too reckless!"
He looked around the room and then down at himself. "I'm still here, life intact."
"Because of Sakura! And even then you're lucky she found you."
The grain of truth thrown back into his face softened his features and his tone. "Where is she?"
"At home. I'd like to put all of that blame on you, but she made her own decisions... of course you were the factor behind them," Tsunade answered and then sighed. "I expect a report befre you are discharged."
"Which will be?"
"When I approve it," she leered, her smile frightening. "Now, let's have a look at your chart."
~*~*~
The next day was a dreary gray with dark cottony clouds that drizzled rain across the village. The steady downpour kept most people indoors and the Copy Nin to his thoughts. Paper was rolled out on his bed tray and he had a supply of ink, but no words would come when he tried to write out his report. The drumming pitter-patter against the window was enough to keep him distracted, and considering the subject matter, he was grateful.
The faint sound of footsteps had his ears trained to the door. It opened a moment later, and his guest entered, bringing a small grin to his face. Sakura offered a smile and held up the basket in her hands. He pushed the tray aside and motioned for her to come in and sit with him.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she pulled up a chair.
He picked at the bandages over his left eye. "This itches a little."
"And your abdomen?"
"Tender, but it feels better than it did thirty hours ago."
She pulled an apple from the basket and then slipped a kunai from her pouch. The light cut and scrape of the skin being peeled away filled the empty space between them.
"I heard you got yourself a mini-vacation because of me," he began with a quiet voice.
"Normally vacations are paid," she mumbled.
"Sorry."
She shook her head. "Eh, don't worry about it, really. I'm just glad you're alright." She sliced a piece off and offered it to him, which he took. "You are alright, aren't you?"
He stared down at the pale fruit. "Fine, although I must say your bedside manner is much nicer than Tsunade's."
"Thanks, but I mean are you really okay? I... I've never seen you look like that."
He glanced up at her, but found that she was busying herself so that he could eat. Thankful, he pushed the entire piece into his mouth and pulled the mask back up. After swallowing, he sighed and readjusted himself against the pillows. Sakura was looking at him, a brow lifted in expectance.
"What do you want me to say?" he asked her.
"Something - anything - as long as it's the truth."
"The truth is that I'd rather not say anything at all."
Cradling a piece of fruit in her fingers, she nibbled on it. "Listen, I didn't include all the details in my report. What happened after... I kept that to myself."
"Thank you."
"But I want you to talk to someone..."
"Sakura, I'm not going to black-list myself and see some shrink-"
"I meant that maybe you'd talk to me," she interrupted, gentle eyes pinning him.
He pushed himself into the pillows, looking away from her gaze. "Oh."
She tilted her head, trying to look at him, to get him to look at her. "Wouldn't talking to someone you know you could trust be better?"
"I'm not so sure." What seemed like a quick, thoughtless answer to Sakura was actually something that he had considered before. But the truth was that allowing someone close to see you at a low could be much more uncomfortable than being judged by a stranger.
Sakura sliced up the rest of the apple and placed it on his tray. "Just think about it, please? I know that our relationship is different, and you may think you have to save face or prove something to yourself or to me... but I hope you realize that's not true."
He looked up at her, struck by the amazing vividness of the green of her eyes, and only nodded.
"Think it over and get some rest," she said softly, giving his hand a squeeze.
She turned and headed for the door, pausing when he called her name as she touched the handle. She watched as he scratched at the bandage over his eye before facing her. "Thank you. If you hadn't shown up... I know I owe you my life and-"
"Kakashi?"
"Yeah?"
"You're welcome. See you later."
The door shut with a quiet thud behind her and he sighed as he was left alone again. The basket she brought still sat beside him and with curiosity taking hold, he tilted it toward him to see what was inside. There were more apples, an extra mask, and a copy of the second Icha Icha (his personal favorite). He pulled the book out, picked up an apple slice, and settled in. He could always write that report tomorrow.
~*~*~
The door to Kakashi's room wrenched open, jolting him awake. Tsunade threw a crumpled ball of paper at his head, eyes fiery. "What the hell is this?"
"Paper?"
She paused to take a deep breath. "You know what I mean."
He picked and pulled at the paper until it was back out to as flat and open as he could manage. "Oh, it's my report."
She took it from him and held it up, a well-manicured red nail jabbing at the front and the stick figure depictions of Kakashi fighting other ninja, being wounded, and crawling into his apartment. "This is not a written report."
He looked up, puzzled. "It has to be written?"
Tsunade ripped apart the paper with a threatening growl and leveled him with a hard stare. "You are not leaving until I get my detailed written report. Try something like that again and your extended stay will not be quite so... painless. Understood?"
"Yes."
She sighed, deflating. "Bewteen you, and Naruto, and the Council, I'd think there's a conspiracy to turn me gray," she said as she ran a finger over her hair.
"It's not a bad color."
"Brat."
"Tsunade-sama, I'll have the report ready this afternoon."
She nodded. "Good, then I'll have your papers ready."
As promised, that afternoon Kakashi had his mission report ready. Tsunade looked it over before handing him his discharge papers.
"I'm temporarily removing you from the active duty roster. You should use this time to relax and heal."
"But I am healed," he countered as he tied his hitai-ate in place.
"There are some things that even I can't mend. I'll review your file in a week and decide whether or not to let you go back into the field."
"But... what am I going to do for a whole week?"
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," she called as she reached the door.
Kakashi looked down at the fresh change of clothes in his hands and then he suddenly knew what he wanted to do first.
~*~*~
Looking at the tan door in front of him, he felt a bit of apprehension in knocking, but his hand lifted anyway. After a short wait, the door opened and the petite rosette greeted him with a smile. "You got discharged?"
He nodded. "Just now."
Her smile grew and she flung herself forward, wrapping him in her embrace. "That's great!"
A little taken back, but comforted all the same, he slipped an arm around her and returned the hug. She pulled back and gestured to the open door. "You wanna come in?"
"Actually, I thought about what you said to me the other day."
"Yeah?"
He stuck his hands in his pockets as he nodded. "You know, hospital food never really hits the spot so... do you want to eat some dinner with me and maybe we can talk?" he asked a bit awkwardly.
Her face looked lovely as it lit up in surprise. "Yeah, let's do that."
xXx
A/N: So this was just... I feel like maybe it was a little boring, but necessary. This is setting it all up for the stuff that's to come. I had originally planned for it to be maybe 3-4 parts, but looking at it now and the direction it's going, it might be more than that. I'm so very happy at the comments I've received; you all are great for that! I hope that maybe you stick with me and this tale.
Pairing: Kakashi x Sakura
Rating: T
Part two of When Everything Changed. Things are broken, a patient is threatened, and there's a possibility of two individuals coming to an understanding.
(Please forgive any typos! If you spot any atrocious ones, please let me know and I'll fix it! Thank you.)
Sakura stood at attention, attempting not to flinch as various office items were thrown and broken around her. Her mentor, her Hokage, was on a rage and rightfully so. A stapler hurdled through the air at her head and Sakura dodged it, watching as it broke in half on the floor. She slowly turned and met Tsunade's dark glare.
"Sorry, it's just habit."
Tsunade closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "When you found him you shoud've reported it."
"I know, but-"
"He needed immediate medical attention, I'm aware. You took off your radio, Haruno. None of us could reach you and it escalated into not only trying to find Hatake, but you as well! Do you have any idea-" Her jaw clenched as she brought herself to an abrupt halt. "I'm thankful you found him and that you're alright, but I cannot let your insubordination go without punishment."
"Shishou, please-"
"What kind of leader would I look like if I played favorites? You're a damn fine medic, but you didn't follow protocol. You're to take a four day leave without pay and the treatment of Hatake will be transferred to another medic.
Sakura had always been the one to tend to her teammates ever since she gained her status. "But Tsunade!"
"Quiet!" she snapped as she rounded the desk. "I didn't say you couldn't visit him."
Leveling her former student with a hard stare, Tsunade then turned and opened the door before looking back over her shoulder. "Clean up and then you may leave."
Sakura looked around as the door shut: papers were strewn about, the bookshelf was in disarray, and what were once office accessories were now fragments of their former beings. This could take a while.
~*~*~
Like heavy steel doors, Kakashi's eyes pried open. White walls, generic patterns, and the steady hum of machinery greeted him. The blinds were closed, blocking out the sun's radiance and the overhead light was off. Pulling himself up to sit, he found his stomach to still be sensitive and winced under the discomfort.
The sound of high heels clacking against the linoleum floors alerted him to his coming visitor. As expected, the door opened and the light was clicked on as Tsunade entered. He pulled a face, clenching his eye shut as it was attacked by the light. He could hear the door shut and the lock click into place.
"You're incredibly lucky, Hatake; from my understanding you have a very loyal and capable medic."
He offered a grin - an amiable switch that turned on as a defense mechanism. "Ah, well, she learned from the best."
"Cut the shit you little brat. For the last five years I have been statistically careful in assigning missions in hopes of cutting down incident. While the method has been successful, you, however, always happen to wind up in a hospital bed. Why is that?"
"Statistics aren't always right, Hokage-sama."
"Ever since the last war you've pushed yourself - and your luck - too far on every assignment. What kind of ninja does that?"
Folding his hands over his lap, he noted the IV in his left and stared at it for a moment. "From what I remember, it is my sworn duty to protect my village and its people at all costs, even if the cost is my life."
"The focus is not to lose that life! You're being too reckless!"
He looked around the room and then down at himself. "I'm still here, life intact."
"Because of Sakura! And even then you're lucky she found you."
The grain of truth thrown back into his face softened his features and his tone. "Where is she?"
"At home. I'd like to put all of that blame on you, but she made her own decisions... of course you were the factor behind them," Tsunade answered and then sighed. "I expect a report befre you are discharged."
"Which will be?"
"When I approve it," she leered, her smile frightening. "Now, let's have a look at your chart."
~*~*~
The next day was a dreary gray with dark cottony clouds that drizzled rain across the village. The steady downpour kept most people indoors and the Copy Nin to his thoughts. Paper was rolled out on his bed tray and he had a supply of ink, but no words would come when he tried to write out his report. The drumming pitter-patter against the window was enough to keep him distracted, and considering the subject matter, he was grateful.
The faint sound of footsteps had his ears trained to the door. It opened a moment later, and his guest entered, bringing a small grin to his face. Sakura offered a smile and held up the basket in her hands. He pushed the tray aside and motioned for her to come in and sit with him.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she pulled up a chair.
He picked at the bandages over his left eye. "This itches a little."
"And your abdomen?"
"Tender, but it feels better than it did thirty hours ago."
She pulled an apple from the basket and then slipped a kunai from her pouch. The light cut and scrape of the skin being peeled away filled the empty space between them.
"I heard you got yourself a mini-vacation because of me," he began with a quiet voice.
"Normally vacations are paid," she mumbled.
"Sorry."
She shook her head. "Eh, don't worry about it, really. I'm just glad you're alright." She sliced a piece off and offered it to him, which he took. "You are alright, aren't you?"
He stared down at the pale fruit. "Fine, although I must say your bedside manner is much nicer than Tsunade's."
"Thanks, but I mean are you really okay? I... I've never seen you look like that."
He glanced up at her, but found that she was busying herself so that he could eat. Thankful, he pushed the entire piece into his mouth and pulled the mask back up. After swallowing, he sighed and readjusted himself against the pillows. Sakura was looking at him, a brow lifted in expectance.
"What do you want me to say?" he asked her.
"Something - anything - as long as it's the truth."
"The truth is that I'd rather not say anything at all."
Cradling a piece of fruit in her fingers, she nibbled on it. "Listen, I didn't include all the details in my report. What happened after... I kept that to myself."
"Thank you."
"But I want you to talk to someone..."
"Sakura, I'm not going to black-list myself and see some shrink-"
"I meant that maybe you'd talk to me," she interrupted, gentle eyes pinning him.
He pushed himself into the pillows, looking away from her gaze. "Oh."
She tilted her head, trying to look at him, to get him to look at her. "Wouldn't talking to someone you know you could trust be better?"
"I'm not so sure." What seemed like a quick, thoughtless answer to Sakura was actually something that he had considered before. But the truth was that allowing someone close to see you at a low could be much more uncomfortable than being judged by a stranger.
Sakura sliced up the rest of the apple and placed it on his tray. "Just think about it, please? I know that our relationship is different, and you may think you have to save face or prove something to yourself or to me... but I hope you realize that's not true."
He looked up at her, struck by the amazing vividness of the green of her eyes, and only nodded.
"Think it over and get some rest," she said softly, giving his hand a squeeze.
She turned and headed for the door, pausing when he called her name as she touched the handle. She watched as he scratched at the bandage over his eye before facing her. "Thank you. If you hadn't shown up... I know I owe you my life and-"
"Kakashi?"
"Yeah?"
"You're welcome. See you later."
The door shut with a quiet thud behind her and he sighed as he was left alone again. The basket she brought still sat beside him and with curiosity taking hold, he tilted it toward him to see what was inside. There were more apples, an extra mask, and a copy of the second Icha Icha (his personal favorite). He pulled the book out, picked up an apple slice, and settled in. He could always write that report tomorrow.
~*~*~
The door to Kakashi's room wrenched open, jolting him awake. Tsunade threw a crumpled ball of paper at his head, eyes fiery. "What the hell is this?"
"Paper?"
She paused to take a deep breath. "You know what I mean."
He picked and pulled at the paper until it was back out to as flat and open as he could manage. "Oh, it's my report."
She took it from him and held it up, a well-manicured red nail jabbing at the front and the stick figure depictions of Kakashi fighting other ninja, being wounded, and crawling into his apartment. "This is not a written report."
He looked up, puzzled. "It has to be written?"
Tsunade ripped apart the paper with a threatening growl and leveled him with a hard stare. "You are not leaving until I get my detailed written report. Try something like that again and your extended stay will not be quite so... painless. Understood?"
"Yes."
She sighed, deflating. "Bewteen you, and Naruto, and the Council, I'd think there's a conspiracy to turn me gray," she said as she ran a finger over her hair.
"It's not a bad color."
"Brat."
"Tsunade-sama, I'll have the report ready this afternoon."
She nodded. "Good, then I'll have your papers ready."
As promised, that afternoon Kakashi had his mission report ready. Tsunade looked it over before handing him his discharge papers.
"I'm temporarily removing you from the active duty roster. You should use this time to relax and heal."
"But I am healed," he countered as he tied his hitai-ate in place.
"There are some things that even I can't mend. I'll review your file in a week and decide whether or not to let you go back into the field."
"But... what am I going to do for a whole week?"
"I'm sure you'll figure something out," she called as she reached the door.
Kakashi looked down at the fresh change of clothes in his hands and then he suddenly knew what he wanted to do first.
~*~*~
Looking at the tan door in front of him, he felt a bit of apprehension in knocking, but his hand lifted anyway. After a short wait, the door opened and the petite rosette greeted him with a smile. "You got discharged?"
He nodded. "Just now."
Her smile grew and she flung herself forward, wrapping him in her embrace. "That's great!"
A little taken back, but comforted all the same, he slipped an arm around her and returned the hug. She pulled back and gestured to the open door. "You wanna come in?"
"Actually, I thought about what you said to me the other day."
"Yeah?"
He stuck his hands in his pockets as he nodded. "You know, hospital food never really hits the spot so... do you want to eat some dinner with me and maybe we can talk?" he asked a bit awkwardly.
Her face looked lovely as it lit up in surprise. "Yeah, let's do that."
xXx
A/N: So this was just... I feel like maybe it was a little boring, but necessary. This is setting it all up for the stuff that's to come. I had originally planned for it to be maybe 3-4 parts, but looking at it now and the direction it's going, it might be more than that. I'm so very happy at the comments I've received; you all are great for that! I hope that maybe you stick with me and this tale.