[Fic] Crimson Fall, Chapter 1
Title: Crimson Fall
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing/Characters: Kakashi/Sakura
Chapter: 1
Word Count: 1,493
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: NARUTO © 1999 by MASASHI KISHIMOTO/SHUEISHA Inc and assorted corporations who bought various rights to it. Only the plot and OCs are mine.
A/N: It's my honor to pinch hit in the KakaSaku LJ Holiday Anonymous Exchange. ScaryRei requested "something sweet and spicy for my favorite couple. Anything with a happy KakaSaku would be wonderful." This is turning out longer than expected, so I hope a mult-parter suits your mood, Rei!
Please be advised that the intended pace is slow and steady. Pretend you're out taking a stroll and smelling all the roses along the way.
It is unbeta'd so any mistakes are purely mine. Feel free to let me know if you find things I need to fix!
________________________________________
Sakura read again the sprawling script flowing on the piece of paper she clutched in one hand. Her gaze then shifted up to the elegantly carved sign hanging over the entryway, and a small sigh slipped out when she verified that she indeed arrived at her appointed location.
For the appointed appointment made without her consent. One brought to her attention a measly two hours earlier.
Ah, today. It started off so well thinking back on it.
After a satisfyingly sweaty training routine early in the morning, Sakura went home to freshen up, even managing breakfast before heading into the hospital. The pink-haired medic then breezed through rounds, patient appointments and paperwork all before lunchtime.
With that she should have known something would pop up on her radar to mess things up. Well, not on the scale of 'Orochimaru joining the evil side' or 'Pain's attack on the village'.
Just enough to make her mind stutter and mouth drop open a bit as she stood facing her mentor who sat across from her behind the cluttered desk. Tsunade had her chin propped casually in the palm of one hand, expectantly awaiting the 'yes' sure to come from her apprentice to acknowledge the request. Which would come. At any time now.
The seconds ticked by, and Sakura could only blink in reply.
After a full minute passed by in complete silence, the Hokage's patience ran out and she flicked a folded piece of paper at the newly mute person masquerading as her apprentice. "Be at the address listed there in two hours, don't be early or late. Remember to wear a kimono and that you have one month."
Reflexively catching the tossed missive, Sakura's mouth opened and closed in a vain attempt to reply verbally at the reminder, only to finally manage feebly, "B-But…"
Correctly interpreting the makings of an excuse, Tsunade held up one hand to halt it. She then ordered, "Ask your mother, she'll have something seasonally appropriate for you to wear." With a dismissive gesture towards the door, the blonde added with the hint of a frustrated glower, "Now go home and get ready."
So the obedient apprentice (who remembered just how frightening her master could be), only nodded and went home to get ready. For what, she had but a vague idea.
A little more than an hour later, Sakura stood fully dressed in a kimono ensemble her mother assured her would be ideal. Not casual or too formal.
Frankly speaking, the closest equivalent to what she had on now would be yukata worn to many a summer festival over the years. However, the lightweight cotton robes seemed worlds away from this finery.
If she could, she would groan with her usual gusto, but the obi wrapped many times around her waist restricted deep breathing. At least in a yukata she could move and respire more easily. On the other hand, she looked pretty darned good all dolled up, if she did say so herself. The medic cheered inwardly and brightened a bit at her reflection in the mirror. Then a completely random thought made its way from her subconscious to flitter through her mind: I wonder if Kakashi-sensei would like this.
Sakura hit the pause button, enjoyed a few moments of blissful blankness, rewound back and played it again, only with two minor changes that she (and she would know because this is her enjoying a soliloquy with herself!), did not order. Yet there they were. I wonder if Kakashi-sensei would like me in this.
She hit her brain's pause button again. And again. And once more for good measure. Just to make sure she still had some grey matter capable of doing something. Other than confuse her. Or go haywire.
Unaware of her daughter's inner torment, Mrs. Haruno flittered about happily to straighten this or tuck away that. Finally stepping back to take in her handiwork, the older woman clasped her hands in front of her and gushed, "Oh, I wish your father could see how lovely you look!"
Sakura snapped back into the land of reality with a jar, green gaze flying to meet one similar to her own as she tried to focus, center, ground - and all those other pesky ways of saying that she needed a very deep chitchat with herself later.
Blinking and then blushing when the compliment finally hit, she bashfully ducked her head. Shoving the wayward thought away into a dark corner, she concentrated on the image staring back at her from the full length mirror.
In a waterfall of crimson silk, the kimono draped beautifully on her slender form as the strategically placed padding and binding underneath ensured no unsightly folds occurred. The cream colored obi, embroidered with red and gold camellias, wrapped around her waist securely, acting as a complement while striking in its simplicity.
Oohing and aahing the entire time, Sakura's mom had finally decided to style her short hair into a simple coiffure, tucking a cute red camellia flower - taken from an accommodating flower arrangement - to one side over her ear.
Protesting half-heartily at the time ("This is too much fuss for something that must just be a joke of Tsunade-shishou!"), Sakura could not deny how her request lit up her mother's eyes with joy and eagerness. Grumbling some but smiling all the same, she gave in, lifting her arms when told or bracing herself against the tightening of the obi when it came time to do so.
The older woman had been beside herself at being able to dress her baby in one of the traditional outfits passed down in the Haruno family. To commemorate this first occasion, she made sure to take as many photographs as time, or rather, Sakura allowed.
Finally, a lovingly exasperated, "Mom, I've got to go or I'll be late!" came from the twenty year old who waved her hands in front of her face in a plea to stop, the kimono sleeves fluttering gently with the motions.
Putting down the camera guiltily, the elder Haruno could not help but beam. "Perhaps I got carried away. But you look so beautiful…Oh! I almost forgot the haori. Hold on, I'll be right back." So saying, she rushed off to get the matching short jacket.
Once back, Mrs. Haruno helped Sakura into it, saying, "This extra layer will keep the winter chill off. Not that it's too cold out right now, but you never know. Wouldn't want you to catch a something."
Sakura, having experienced the baking heat of Wind Country and the freezing cold of Snow Country as well as all the in-betweens during various missions, could not help the warmth that arose inside her at the expressed concern and care. Gently smiling, she hugged her mother. "Thank you, for all of this. I'd better be off now."
Mrs. Haruno sighed happily. "Ok, dear. If your father comes home early, I'll be sure to show him these pictures."
Sakura only laughed gaily in reply as she made her getaway.
After leaving the house, the medic took her time in getting to her destination, not wishing to ruin her mother's work. No wonder she had been given two hours: one for getting ready and the other to simply walk from point A to point B!
Prior to today, the word 'dainty' would not be one the kunoichi thought of in any relations to herself. Yet it came again to mind when she looked down at her feet. Rather than her ass-kicking black boots, she wore a pair of black-and-red thong sandals. Not that the zori were uncomfortable. Far from it.
To accommodate the footwear, she had on ankle-cut split-toed socks instead of the knee high ones she normally put on under her boots. The white cotton tabi permitted the sandal straps its placement between the big toe and index toe. With each step, only a slight peeping out of the covered toes could be seen from underneath the ankle length hem of the kimono. She did not quite understand it, but the images made her feel both pleased and disgruntled at the same time.
With a few minutes to spare before her imposed deadline, Sakura stalled in front of the open gate by smoothing an imaginary errant strand of hair and gazing through to the other side. Though walls enclosed the place, it did not lend itself an imposing air. Rather, it gave the area an intimate and private feeling.
Even so, Sakura squared her shoulders as if about to go into battle and shook her head bemusedly one last time before stepping across the gateway. Momentarily forgetting herself when the silk kimono and matching obi disallowed her normal quick strides, she gnashed her teeth, wishing yet again for her familiar ninja outfit.
Maybe if she considered this a mission rather than her Hokage's folly…Sakura forced calm and resolve upon herself. Ino can make five inch heels work for her. I can do this too!
~TBC~
________________________________________
A/N (cont.): Part I is done! Though Kakashi did not make an appearance, I hope this was still an enjoyable read. Are you curious about what Tsunade has planned for Sakura? Why are random bullets killing Sakura's head? Please let me know if this worked for you!
Oh, and though the rating is currently at K+, it'll probably go up later knowing me with these two. *sheepish grin*
Let me know if this works?
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing/Characters: Kakashi/Sakura
Chapter: 1
Word Count: 1,493
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance/Humor
Disclaimer: NARUTO © 1999 by MASASHI KISHIMOTO/SHUEISHA Inc and assorted corporations who bought various rights to it. Only the plot and OCs are mine.
A/N: It's my honor to pinch hit in the KakaSaku LJ Holiday Anonymous Exchange. ScaryRei requested "something sweet and spicy for my favorite couple. Anything with a happy KakaSaku would be wonderful." This is turning out longer than expected, so I hope a mult-parter suits your mood, Rei!
Please be advised that the intended pace is slow and steady. Pretend you're out taking a stroll and smelling all the roses along the way.
It is unbeta'd so any mistakes are purely mine. Feel free to let me know if you find things I need to fix!
________________________________________
Sakura read again the sprawling script flowing on the piece of paper she clutched in one hand. Her gaze then shifted up to the elegantly carved sign hanging over the entryway, and a small sigh slipped out when she verified that she indeed arrived at her appointed location.
For the appointed appointment made without her consent. One brought to her attention a measly two hours earlier.
Ah, today. It started off so well thinking back on it.
After a satisfyingly sweaty training routine early in the morning, Sakura went home to freshen up, even managing breakfast before heading into the hospital. The pink-haired medic then breezed through rounds, patient appointments and paperwork all before lunchtime.
With that she should have known something would pop up on her radar to mess things up. Well, not on the scale of 'Orochimaru joining the evil side' or 'Pain's attack on the village'.
Just enough to make her mind stutter and mouth drop open a bit as she stood facing her mentor who sat across from her behind the cluttered desk. Tsunade had her chin propped casually in the palm of one hand, expectantly awaiting the 'yes' sure to come from her apprentice to acknowledge the request. Which would come. At any time now.
The seconds ticked by, and Sakura could only blink in reply.
After a full minute passed by in complete silence, the Hokage's patience ran out and she flicked a folded piece of paper at the newly mute person masquerading as her apprentice. "Be at the address listed there in two hours, don't be early or late. Remember to wear a kimono and that you have one month."
Reflexively catching the tossed missive, Sakura's mouth opened and closed in a vain attempt to reply verbally at the reminder, only to finally manage feebly, "B-But…"
Correctly interpreting the makings of an excuse, Tsunade held up one hand to halt it. She then ordered, "Ask your mother, she'll have something seasonally appropriate for you to wear." With a dismissive gesture towards the door, the blonde added with the hint of a frustrated glower, "Now go home and get ready."
So the obedient apprentice (who remembered just how frightening her master could be), only nodded and went home to get ready. For what, she had but a vague idea.
A little more than an hour later, Sakura stood fully dressed in a kimono ensemble her mother assured her would be ideal. Not casual or too formal.
Frankly speaking, the closest equivalent to what she had on now would be yukata worn to many a summer festival over the years. However, the lightweight cotton robes seemed worlds away from this finery.
If she could, she would groan with her usual gusto, but the obi wrapped many times around her waist restricted deep breathing. At least in a yukata she could move and respire more easily. On the other hand, she looked pretty darned good all dolled up, if she did say so herself. The medic cheered inwardly and brightened a bit at her reflection in the mirror. Then a completely random thought made its way from her subconscious to flitter through her mind: I wonder if Kakashi-sensei would like this.
Sakura hit the pause button, enjoyed a few moments of blissful blankness, rewound back and played it again, only with two minor changes that she (and she would know because this is her enjoying a soliloquy with herself!), did not order. Yet there they were. I wonder if Kakashi-sensei would like me in this.
She hit her brain's pause button again. And again. And once more for good measure. Just to make sure she still had some grey matter capable of doing something. Other than confuse her. Or go haywire.
Unaware of her daughter's inner torment, Mrs. Haruno flittered about happily to straighten this or tuck away that. Finally stepping back to take in her handiwork, the older woman clasped her hands in front of her and gushed, "Oh, I wish your father could see how lovely you look!"
Sakura snapped back into the land of reality with a jar, green gaze flying to meet one similar to her own as she tried to focus, center, ground - and all those other pesky ways of saying that she needed a very deep chitchat with herself later.
Blinking and then blushing when the compliment finally hit, she bashfully ducked her head. Shoving the wayward thought away into a dark corner, she concentrated on the image staring back at her from the full length mirror.
In a waterfall of crimson silk, the kimono draped beautifully on her slender form as the strategically placed padding and binding underneath ensured no unsightly folds occurred. The cream colored obi, embroidered with red and gold camellias, wrapped around her waist securely, acting as a complement while striking in its simplicity.
Oohing and aahing the entire time, Sakura's mom had finally decided to style her short hair into a simple coiffure, tucking a cute red camellia flower - taken from an accommodating flower arrangement - to one side over her ear.
Protesting half-heartily at the time ("This is too much fuss for something that must just be a joke of Tsunade-shishou!"), Sakura could not deny how her request lit up her mother's eyes with joy and eagerness. Grumbling some but smiling all the same, she gave in, lifting her arms when told or bracing herself against the tightening of the obi when it came time to do so.
The older woman had been beside herself at being able to dress her baby in one of the traditional outfits passed down in the Haruno family. To commemorate this first occasion, she made sure to take as many photographs as time, or rather, Sakura allowed.
Finally, a lovingly exasperated, "Mom, I've got to go or I'll be late!" came from the twenty year old who waved her hands in front of her face in a plea to stop, the kimono sleeves fluttering gently with the motions.
Putting down the camera guiltily, the elder Haruno could not help but beam. "Perhaps I got carried away. But you look so beautiful…Oh! I almost forgot the haori. Hold on, I'll be right back." So saying, she rushed off to get the matching short jacket.
Once back, Mrs. Haruno helped Sakura into it, saying, "This extra layer will keep the winter chill off. Not that it's too cold out right now, but you never know. Wouldn't want you to catch a something."
Sakura, having experienced the baking heat of Wind Country and the freezing cold of Snow Country as well as all the in-betweens during various missions, could not help the warmth that arose inside her at the expressed concern and care. Gently smiling, she hugged her mother. "Thank you, for all of this. I'd better be off now."
Mrs. Haruno sighed happily. "Ok, dear. If your father comes home early, I'll be sure to show him these pictures."
Sakura only laughed gaily in reply as she made her getaway.
After leaving the house, the medic took her time in getting to her destination, not wishing to ruin her mother's work. No wonder she had been given two hours: one for getting ready and the other to simply walk from point A to point B!
Prior to today, the word 'dainty' would not be one the kunoichi thought of in any relations to herself. Yet it came again to mind when she looked down at her feet. Rather than her ass-kicking black boots, she wore a pair of black-and-red thong sandals. Not that the zori were uncomfortable. Far from it.
To accommodate the footwear, she had on ankle-cut split-toed socks instead of the knee high ones she normally put on under her boots. The white cotton tabi permitted the sandal straps its placement between the big toe and index toe. With each step, only a slight peeping out of the covered toes could be seen from underneath the ankle length hem of the kimono. She did not quite understand it, but the images made her feel both pleased and disgruntled at the same time.
With a few minutes to spare before her imposed deadline, Sakura stalled in front of the open gate by smoothing an imaginary errant strand of hair and gazing through to the other side. Though walls enclosed the place, it did not lend itself an imposing air. Rather, it gave the area an intimate and private feeling.
Even so, Sakura squared her shoulders as if about to go into battle and shook her head bemusedly one last time before stepping across the gateway. Momentarily forgetting herself when the silk kimono and matching obi disallowed her normal quick strides, she gnashed her teeth, wishing yet again for her familiar ninja outfit.
Maybe if she considered this a mission rather than her Hokage's folly…Sakura forced calm and resolve upon herself. Ino can make five inch heels work for her. I can do this too!
~TBC~
________________________________________
A/N (cont.): Part I is done! Though Kakashi did not make an appearance, I hope this was still an enjoyable read. Are you curious about what Tsunade has planned for Sakura? Why are random bullets killing Sakura's head? Please let me know if this worked for you!
Oh, and though the rating is currently at K+, it'll probably go up later knowing me with these two. *sheepish grin*
Let me know if this works?