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Letters of Yesterday

Chapter 5

Fire of the Leaf

I'll fall for you
When I get on and shake my pride
I'll call on you
We can do better than I am tonight

Fall For You by The Whitlams

Sakura watched her scroll leave for Konoha with the mail - along with Kakashi and Shikamaru who were taking a short trip to talk to the elderly blonde Kage about battle plans. Jiraiya and Ibiki had come to replace them - to keep an eye on things, Jiraiya had said, eyeing Hinata and Hanabi as they walked past.

"Eye on things, huh?" Sakura snorted sarcastically. "I'm sure..."

"Ahahaha! That's my sensei for ya!" Naruto laughed.

"Well... there're no baths here, that's a relief..."

Jiraiya sighed.

"So little faith in the GREAT TOAD SANNIN - who makes women sm-!"

"You make me WEEP!"

Sakura smacked him before he could even get his usual clog dance started.

She turned away fuming and disappeared in search of quiet spot to think. The lookout post was her final choice - where Raido was silently watching the valley from his vantage point on the mountainside. It was in the opposite direction - to home, that the medic's eyes wandered.

Home.

Where Kakashi is going.

I hope he makes good time. I need that letter to get to Scarecrow before the school term ends... Perhaps I should talk to Iruka... he's in charge - but, if he's stopping penpals thing, that's understandable. Things are coming to a head... still... it just might be another odd thing - another - no - no - no - it can't be a lie! He's - he's - he's -

Your important person, DAMMIT! raged Inner Sakura. Who else has been there before you! You gotta fight for him!

Sakura sighed again.

Raido opened his mouth and then shut it again - unsure of what to say.

Dear Sakura,

It's funny, looking back - how long we've kept this up - all of my school mates have stopped writing - but for some reason, we're still at it... what do you think that means?

What do you think, dumbass, Inner Sakura growled

Even though I know this is the last post - I don't know what to say. I'm at a serious loss for words... Especially with your last letter...

Sakura peered at the blurred kanji characters.

As if it wasn't hard enough to read his scrawl - did he get it wet in the rain? Or is it tears?

I don't know what to say. I - well... I have no experience in responding to something like this...

Oh, geez... Sakura rolled her eyes. Get ON with it! Sakura rolled her eyes.

But, to be honest, I've felt like that for a long time - LOVE. Probably as early as the first letter when you seemed to be so much of something that I am not. Your energy and zest for life - your frankeness and courage - and determination - and beauty (I'm sure your the prettiest girl in Fire)...

Pretty? Only in Asia? Really... he's still got zero people skills - but... he's honest too...

Sakura smiled.

But, that's Scarecrow for you - honest to the nitpicky details...

In Icha Icha (a really great series to read, let me tell you) -

Pervert...

the main character told his girlfriend, "You're as beautiful as the sakura blossom." I think that is true about you - I think you have the beauty of the sakura blossom - gentle and soothing - and strong - as durable as the tree in a storm.

How... nice... Sakura sighed. And how unoriginal.

But, a sneaky part of her pointed out, kinda cool.

My father once told me that love is not something that happens by chance - when you meet that special person it is as if the world stops for just a moment. He said - love was a balance of fate and choice. I guess my father was wiser then I really knew. He said that if you don't put all your heart into it, love never works out.

And it's thanks to you, that I can talk about father and mother and Obito and the people who I loved - who died and left me alone - but you have always been there for me - and I guess that's what love is then. Friendship slowly growing into something else... is it this then? This feeling of comfort?

I guess we never got to have the super romance part - I'm very clueless, aren't I? I should be sending you flowers and stuff... but - we've moved beyond that, haven't we...

Umm... I like flowers...

Still... even now, I'm too young for us to meet and settle down. I'm only 19 after all. When my contract with ANBU ends - three years from now, I'll be ready and waiting for you. Seriously. I'll be there. I want to be a sensei - just like my own sensei - and it's all because you said that you want to be with me for the rest of my life. So I'll fight - for life and love - and when it's all over, let's meet - in Konoha!

Sakura's heart skipped a beat.

Scarecrow...

Tears gathered in her eyes.

Scarecrow...

Well... I gotta go now. But I'll always treasure your letter. Let's meet in three years! Until then,

I love you forever!

Scarecrow

p.s. I'll be waiting for you - three years from now, same day, at 1530. See you there!

Closing her letter, Sakura leaned back and sighed.

This is so confusing. He's aging fast again. And it's - it's impossible. Throughout his letters, he seems honest - he's not joking or fooling around.

Unless he's crazy...

But -

Looking up from her puffy white pillow - to watch the dim light of dusk - darkening - the black shadows of the leaves melding into the green canvas of her tent. Twisting around, she looked over at the small picture propped up on her small night table.

Kakashi-sensei. No - just... Kakashi.

And Naruto.

And Sasuke.

Scarecrow...

It was a warm summer afternoon. Three-thirty.

She had just managed to get out of her afternoon kanji class - Iruka-sensei had been in fine form that day.

Ino had to go home early. Something about helping her mom with the flower shop. So there she was, swinging under the tree

It's boring this way. Having to wait for mother alone. Ino is fun to play with - she doesn't mind about my big forehead - like the other girls.

The pink-haired eight-year-old then let her swing drift to standstill as she noticed the dark young man, standing there under the large tree -

Right there - silence embodied - it was - spooky. The way he seemed to melt into the tree and the grass and the leaves.

His dark ANBU uniform with the stark white vest -

She froze.

It was one of THOSE people. Those people Mother told her to stay away from. They were scary - those white masks... But this one is different, she decided, as she watched him pull the white porcelain mask away, to reveal yet another mask.

What a funny person -

What funny hair.

But - he seems - nice...

"Are you waiting for somebody?" she chirped, as she smiled at turned - unsure -

He was like that grey cat who wouldn't come into the house, even though she tried to coax it in with her breakfast fish.

Then his eyes curved and his tense shoulders eased a bit.

"Yeah... but I don't know if she'll show up..."

"You have a girlfriend?" Sakura asked, her green eyes wide.

"I think so."

"That's silly..." Sakura smiled at the quiet young man. "How do you THINK so? You either know you like that person or you don't..."

"You're a very smart little girl. Seriously."

"I'm not LITTLE!" Sakura puffed her chest out. "I'm EIGHT! And I'm studying to be the BEST KUNOICHI EVER! Like the Slug Princess!"

"I'm sure you'll be like Tsunade-hime," the grey-haired young man smiled again.

"I WILL! And I'm going to get Uchiha Sasuke too!"

The young man stiffened.

"Uchiha Sasuke?"

"He's in my class... He's so cute!"

"Hmm..."

A small silence.

"What's your name?"

"I'm not supposed to tell strangers my name, Mom says."

"Where's your Mother?"

"She's coming," Sakura said, rather evasively. "She's busy at the bakery... She always comes a little late..."

"I see..."

"But... you're ANBU, right?"

"Wow... you really do know a lot."

"I read alot. I'm going to be the smartest girl in class! Sasuke's going to notice! And all the girls will see that having a big forehead is cool after all. Do you think I have a big forehead?"

The young man looked non-plussed.

"Ummm... no?"

"Really? I think I like you now..."

"Aha haha..."

"My name's Sakura... what's yours?"

"Well... you know... I have many names... sometimes it's hard to know who you are..."

"That's silly," Sakura said. "You are who you are... you can't be anybody else..."

"Hmmm..."

Somewhere a cicada buzzed and the warm sunlight, dappling through the green leaves, softened the cool breeze.

"Push me?" asked Sakura.

The young man got to his feet and uncertainly started to push her on the swing.

"You're not good at this," Sakura said.

"I didn't swing alot when I was small..."

"Oh."

A pause.

"Well... you should. It's fun."

Another pause.

"But you're all growed up now - with a girlfriend and all - I guess swings are boring for you. My mom doesn't swing either..."

"Hmmm... well..."

"What's your girlfriend like?" Sakura chatted away, now completely at ease with her rather reserved new friend.

"Very nice. She's honest, courageous, determined - everything that I'm not..."

"Is she gorgeous?" Sakura asked slowly, trying the new word carefully (Ino had taught it to her the other day).

"I think so."

"You THINK so? That's not very nice. You either are - or you are not."

"I haven't met her yet. We wrote letters to each other - that's it."

"WOW! That's SO romantic!"

"You think so?" asked the young man.

"Yes! I'm sure she'll be happy to meet you!"

"Hm... well... maybe she doesn't like me - it doesn't seem like she showed up for our meeting..."

"You know - my Mom told me? Love is all about waiting... That's what she told me. She said, when I'm growed up, I'm going to find someone to wait for - and when that day comes, I'm going to hold on to love forever! Forever and ever! Kinda like the sea... I think that means a long, long, long, long time, don't you?"

A silence.

Sakura twisted around - her silent companion was staring at her -

"Hey! Are you okay? You look weird..."

"Y-yeah..." he whispered. "What's your name?"

"Haruno Sakura! But you haven't told me your name... oh yeah... you're ANBU! That means your name is a SECRET! Right? Please tell me! I'll promise to keep it a secret! I love secrets! That's why I haven't told Ino I like Sasuke - that's a secret - and I shared one..." The little girl fell quiet as she saw how serious her companion was.

"One day," the young man knelt down and pressed a bunch of very wilted blue flowers into her small hand. "You'll find that special person. One day," here, he smiled. "You will know my name... until then, I'll wait - and you wait too, okay?"

"SURE! If you promise!" She paused. "Is it going to be a long wait?"

"Sort of," he smiled. "But I'll still be there, waiting for you. Seriously... I'm leaving ANBU... so... one day... we'll meet!"

He picked up his mask and disappeared, leaving her there, sitting in the swing, rocking back and forth gently, wilted blue flowers in her hand.

He's so funny. And wierd. And lonely.

Like a scarecrow...

Yes, young Sakura decided. A scarecrow

Scarecrow...

Kakashi...

Sakura's green eyes flew open.

What was that... a dream... or more like...

A memory - a memory that - had it been there before?

How is it possible to have a new memory overnight?

What's going on here...

The pink-haired medic, an hour later, staggered out of her tent, still rather groggy - grabbed a canteen of tea and headed toward the watch tower - more unsure than ever.

Scarecrow...

"She's at it again," Naruto grumbled as he threw down his hand of cards - glaring at Sai, Jiraiya and Kakashi.

Shikamaru beside him, shook his head.

"You're hopeless, Naruto. It's been a waste of time, getting you to play poker..."

"WHAT? I can SO play it - you just have to teach me some more know-how -"

"It's too troublesome..." Shikamaru sighed. "Besides - you're up against Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-sama... they've got lots of experience against you... I'm sure they're cheating too..."

"Me?" blinked Kakashi innocently. "Geniuses don't need to cheat..."

"Heh heh heh," chuckled Jiraiaya. "True..."

"I don't know..." Sai murmured, taking a card. "Idiot here can never win at any thing like this. The most unstealthy nin in Konoha..."

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

"Idiot?"

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT IT!"

"You asked..." Sai grinned.

"You're just not focussing," Shikamaru shrugged. "Stop thinking about other things... No. NO. Keep that..."

Naruto frowned at his cards.

Jiraiya smiled.

"Well... I can't help but worry - Sakura get's really - different after those letters... It makes me wonder..."

"Me too," Tenzo muttered, sitting down beside Kakashi.

"It's not our buisness. Full house." the Copy Nin replied calmly, revealing his cards.

"Damn! Not again!" wailed Naruto.

"Hmmm... well... She put in a request for leave. To go back for a break with us to Konoha," Tenzo smiled. "It's going to be up to you to okay it - and I just want to put in a good word for her..."

"You don't have to, I always say yes."

"I'm sure," the black haired Special Jounin smiled. "Nobody can say no to her. Least of all you..."

"That's 'cause Kakashi's gotten soft," Naruto said. "Time mellows people out - like Tsunade. For once, she's actually letting other people do the job..."

"Are you comparing me to the Kage," winced Kakashi. "I fail to see how I'm like Tsunade-hime..."

"Well... he's right," Tenzo agreed.

Shikamaru looked at the subtly persistent Special Jounin and wondered what Tenzo was getting at.

"What do you mean by right?" asked Shikamaru. "Everyone carries a weight of responsibility. Some of us, more than others... and he'd be soft on anyone who's been his student..."

"Don't make me feel old, Shika-kun," sighed Kakashi.

"Your hair is grey," Naruto pointed out.

"It's always been grey."

"And the bags under your eyes..." Sai peered at his playing partner. "Perhaps Old Man will be a better nickname - Copy Nin IS getting old..."

"I've been up all night - I'm busy these days. Seriously... Hey! Get out of my space!"

"WRINKLES?" Gai burst in. "MY RIVAL IS GROWING OLDER FASTER THAN ME..."

"I'm not -"

Kakashi denial clashed with Shikamaru's puzzled comment -

"Since when is getting old cool?"

"GAAHHH! I CAN'T BELIEVE -"

Kakashi tuned out his green spandex-clad (now THAT is getting old...) rival.

"At any rate, Tenzo, you can go with Sakura to Konoha. Take Kotetsu and Izumo as well - they need a break too."

Tenzo nodded.

"Okay..."

"BUT THEN - I COULD SAY THAT I'M WINNING IN THE GAME OF YOUTH, EH, KAKASHI?"

"Sorry... I missed that, Gai..."

"GAAAHHH! EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE OLD, YOU'RE STILL SO HIP AND MODERN! IT'S PISSING ME OFF!"

"Some things never change..." Jiraiya sighed.

"That's the way life is," Kakashi said. "Can't be bad..."
"Hmm... I think there's room for improvement," Naruto blinked, rubbing his eyes from the glare of super white teeth and the sight of monster huge eyebrows.

The trip to Konoha went quickly. Sakura seemed to be in a hurry about something -

Tenzo wondered.

Does it have to do with the letter? Is something wrong?

Kotetsu and Izumo learned very quickly to leave the worried pink-haired medic alone.

"It's like her cat died or something..." whispered Kotetsu.

"I don't think she has a cat, Tetsu," Izumo whispered back. "Maybe a family death?"

"But there's been no letters from her family... so..."

"Or maybe... something is needed at the hospital..."

"No. I asked Genma - he told me Konoha is totally secured what with Neji and Ibiki's supervision..."

"Hmmm..." Izumo mused. "Maybe... Maybe she's pregnant?"

Kotetsu gasped with horrified glee.

"Oooooo... that's a thought!"

"GUUUYYSSS!" Sakura growled behind the two Jounin. "You got something to say?"

"N-n-n-nooo..." Izumo sped up a little, just picturing the flaming eyes behind him. "Not really. No."

"Well then... let's stop with the whispering..."

"Scccarrryyy!" whimpered Kotetsu.

Tenzo frowned.

Iruka-sensei on the first day said that anonymity is a must. So, I've get that promise. I've not pried too much into Scarecrow's life. Just tried to follow Kakashi's suggestion and be there for him.

But - this has got to end... I know that what with his low self-confidence he's always insisted on anonymity - but - first off, it's unhealthy. It's a false sense of self-confidence. He's got to face real human contact - and beside, ANBU -

I don't know...

And he's so indecisive... He'd probably change his mind... I can't wait for that... And his excuse about being unable to communicate with girls, doesn't matter. We've been communicating for YEARS. I think he can deal with talking to me face to face...

Besides, I'm worried. ANBU is a really tough place to be in. A dangerous identity to hold. I'm worried. Sure, he says he'll be fine - but what he thinks is fine is wildly different then what is normal...

And all those timeskip issues... is he lying to me? How old is he really? And since the post-box service is closing down, we might as well learn how to meet face to face...

All these thoughts raced through her mind - over and over and over again - until Konoha's familiar gates came into sight.

This has got to be resolved... Sakura decided. I think, it's time I visited his apartment...

"Let's get debriefing over and done with, first," Tenzo suggested. "I'm sure we've got a lot of personal things planned for this week."

"Good idea," nodded Sakura.

Kotetsu sighed, longingly gazing at the tavern as they passed it.

"Okay..."

"Just go along with it," Izumo whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "Good idea, Sakura-chan!" He smiled weakly at the sight of the medic's twitching eyebrow and shaking fist.

Sakura's wish for rest wasn't realized until the fourth day of her break. What with debriefing, talks with Sand, the gathering of reports and teaching short medical seminars to new Medic Nins, the pink-haired Medic couldn't find the time for her own agenda. It was on Thursday that Sakura began her search for the identity of Scarecrow. His second address was as hard to find as his first one.

He seems to specialize in out of the way places... But then... he was around eight when he picked the place -

Looking up the dingy looking grey and green brick apartment - with the sporadic wood siding and ugly metal piping, Sakura could only shake her head.

Wow... a far cry from his mansion... He's got no taste in all... It's probably pretty gross inside.

The medic was right. Although clean for the most part, the place was obviously falling apart - and as silent as the clan ghettos.

Maybe it's because it's Jounin housing, Sakura thought. Lots of single Jounin group together... and since they're all out doing missions or on the border - it stands to reason if parts of the city are emptier than most.

She sighed.

And some of them... won't be coming back either... I hope... Kakashi is doing okay without me. It's been four days - but anything can happen. Sound is just beginning it make its move but - and it's rather selfish for me to take a break for this - but...

IT'S A QUEST OF LOVE! DAMMIT! Inner Sakura shook her fist as she burst into flame.

Or something like that.

The stairways smelled like old ramen, the chipped walls looked dreary - Sakura could only shake her head.

So sad...

It was on the second highest floor, that she found Scarecrow's small apartment. Was he in? Where was he? Away on a mission?

Who knows...

With a thumping heart and shaking hands, Sakura fiddled around with the doorknob lock and slowly pushed it open.

She stood there in the doorway suddenly uncertain. It looked so normal -

It's unreal...

It looked like a normal room. A bed with a green quilt decorated with black shuriken. A shelf with Icha Icha books. A couple of ugly pictures on the wall. A stool.

Bare. Unpersonal - except for three things: two photos on the shelf above the bed. And a green bamboo.

Familiar.

Very familiar -

"Here you go! It's a birthday present! Iruka-sensei said that today's -"

Who - who - who said that -

Somebody annoying... so long ago - when we were young - and still together...

As she stepped closer, she noticed idly that the bamboo looked rather healthy.

Who's keeping an eye on it, I wonder? I guess he still comes back here often?

And those photographs -

Sakura froze as she stared down at them -

Those photographs.

Those -

The first one - a yellow haired man - a familiar face -

So familiar -

That face - on the side of the Mountain.

The Fourth. Yondaime.

Sensei...

Grinning - his hands on top of an Uchiha's black hair... and on top of a small white bush - with disgruntled eyes glaring over a dark mask.

Kakashi...

And in between... a red-haired girl...

Sensei.

Rin.

Obito.

Damn...

And beside it -

Sakura's hands were trembling as she picked the second - oh so familiar - photograph up -

Kakashi-sensei -

That day -

"Let's get a picture," he'd said.

"How dumb..."

"A picture with Sasuke-kun! YAY!"

"We're gonna look so cool - except for you, Sasuke! You can't smile to save your life!"

"You can't say that about SASUKE!"

"Sakura-chaaannnn!"

"Hey, kids... seriously... You're gonna scare the photographer like that!"

So that's why...

There we were and he -

He -

He -

"Sakura?"

Iruka's puzzled voice startled the thoughtful girl -

Jolting Sakura's boggled mind unpleasantly -

She yelped, dropping the photograph unto the breadspread, watching helplessly as it bounced off, cracking the glass across the front. Iruka frowned as he picked it up.

"What are you doing here?" He paused at the sight of her shaking fist.

"THAT - THAT -"

"Calm down, Sakura," Tenzo sighed as he entered the small room.

"THAT - THAT -"

"It's no use getting angry - what's done is done..."

"Angry? What for?" blinked Iruka. "Is something wrong? What happened?"

Sakura swung around and blinked at the two men -

At Iruka's watering pot and the Icha Icha in Tenzo's hand.

Her eyes looked halfway crazed -

Anger, confusion, disbelief written on her face - and tears -

"THAT - THAT - BASTARD - IDIOT! UGH!"

The pink-haired medic hiccuped, trying to wipe away her tears.

Iruka set aside the photograph and took the medic by the shoulders.

"What happened, Sakura?" he asked gently, his eyes pleading with Tenzo - who had turned away to busy himself with putting the Icha Icha back and selecting two more from the shelf.

"He - he - he lied to me -"

"Who? Kakashi?"

The girl nodded.

"I should be angry - but - but -"

She gave a half-laugh.

"He - I don't understand - why didn't he tell me? Why did he lie to me all these years?"

"He didn't," Tenzo said.

Iruka and Sakura looked at the ex-ANBU who calmly picked up the can and began to water the bamboo plant.

"I can't explain it - but... Kakashi has been as honest as he can be."

"We all know what that means..." Sakura hiccuped. "He's -"

"Well... yes, he's clever... but... this is different. It's for real... the post box - I don't know how it's possible - but I think it's created a time warp."

"Time warp? Post box? Kakashi? Sakura? What the -" Iruka blinked. "What's going on here?"

Tenzo ignored the Jounin.

"Listen, Sakura. I think it was fate. Fate that he was your penpal at such a young age. And the post box was the time portal. You put your letter in and it would disappear into the past - and he'd put it in - and it would appear in the present. I don't know - that's just a theory..."

"Which explains the time gaps and skips..." Sakura blinked, drying her tears. "But -"

"Time can have different streams - and you know - he wasn't lying to you. To you alone, he's been the most open - probably. I guess you heard - we were together in ANBU. Years ago... When he was 22, he left ANBU in a mess and it took him a couple years to come around - but - for some reason - that all changed - I remember - one day... he left ANBU with hope. He once hinted it was a penpal he had - when he was young. A declaration of love - he loved her and no other..."

"Who was it that said he loved one girl and no other... Raido? Kotetsu?" Iruka's brow wrinkled in memory.

"Wait a minute, I'm confused, you're saying Kakashi changed. And because he changed - your memory changed?"

"Yes." Tenzo smiled. "He changed. And because he changed - I did too. Sakura - this is no coincidence. I think you were meant to change us all - your presence has impacted us more than you realize."

"But why did he keep this in the dark? Why didn't he tell me? Way before?"

"Well..." Iruka pointed out. "If his past self couldn't stop what you were doing in the future - nor could he tell right away, right? He'd only figure it out when - well who knows... but I'm sure he figured it out before he became your sensei... or -"

"That dream..."

Sakura turned away, dazed, as she pushed back the curtains to let the sunlight filter in through the dingy window.

"Dream?" asked Iruka.

"It wasn't a dream..."

"What -"

"It was a new memory. He loved me - he showed up - just like he promised. But I wasn't there. Well... I was... but I wasn't... how bad he must've felt..."

"Well... I think he still has it bad for you..." Tenzo smiled. "Even to this day - he's always been a little soft."

"He certainly didn't show it," grumbled Sakura. "He -"

"Kakashi believed in you -" Iruka smiled. "That's always been his way, hasn't it..."

"Mmm... yeah... I guess... but... he must have had it hard - everytime I sent a letter, I changed him - and his memories. I'm an idiot... Why didn't I figure it out sooner? I'm smart!"

"Well... it's really fantastic," Iruka shrugged. "Impossible, really."

Sakura turned away from the window.

"But - there's gotta be proof..."

"Let's look around," Tenzo said.

"WHAT?" Iruka rounded on the ex-ANBU. "This is somebody else's room -"

"Kakashi's. And we know him."

"Agreed," Sakura nodded. "I think it's ok. Besides... it's not like we're stealing anything..."

"But - we're prying into private matters..."

"I think that this warrents a little bending of the rules, don't you think?" Tenzo said with a certain glint to his eyes.

Iruka shivered.

"O-o-okay... I just don't want to be blamed..."

"Well... you can leave then..." Sakura looked around. "Where -"

"Check under the bed," Tenzo said, heading toward the bedroom. "That's the best bet -"

"Aha!" Sakura exclaimed as she pulled out a dusty chest. "Hey! It's the same decoration as the seal on his letters!"

"The Hatake signature, yes," Iruka nodded. "Uh... Sakura... where did you get those keys?"

"Kakashi..."

"Oh..."

"I love the irony..." Tenzo smiled.

"You're pure evil," mumbled Iruka.

"What?"
"Never mind..."

Sakura, pushing back the lid, stared down and then smiled.

"What is it?" asked Iruka, curiousity getting the better of him as he peered in. "Flowers? Wow! They're old..."

"In a way, yes and no... I gave them to him - for when his dad died..."

"So it proves Tenzo is right..."

"Yeah..." Sakura said softly, tearing up again.

"I knew it. The handwriting was way to familiar - and I looked into it... and -"

"Oh..."

Tenzo stopped as Sakura opened another box, revealing goggles, a small worn med pack and a short sword.

Obito.

Rin.

Sensei.

"How sad - to have all those memories..."

Iruka smiled, "But, you know, Sakura, you changed that..."

"It's partly you, too," Tenzo pointed out. "Wasn't the penpal thing resurrected because of you? And it was you who found the post box and decided to use it..."

The Academy Administrator smiled.

"Yeah... I thought about stopping it this year... but I see that making friends like this..."

"Hmmm..."

Tenzo sighed.

It would have been fun to be part of something like this...

"Oh! Here they are!"

"Wow... you wrote alot..." Iruka blinked at the small stash of scrolls. "And they look OLD..."

"Hmmm... I did what you said - wrote at least every 2 to 3 weeks... and they are old... they're like... 30 years old or more..."

"But in good condition," Tenzo said. "Thanks to his careful storage..."

"Amazing... who'd have thought the great Copy Nin was a romantic..."

"Hm. Well... he needs help - he said I was the most prettiest girl in Fire... most guys would say the most beautiful girl in the world - but no, Kakashi has always been - well... honest..."

"Hahaha," Iruka grinned, remembering Kakashi's sporadic critiques on students and teachers alike. "I guess he can be irritating that way..."

"Well... I guess I should go back and talk to him about this," Sakura shook her head. "This craziness and misunderstanding has got to stop. We've wasted so much time because of fear and - and time issues..."

"Sakura getting down to buisness..." Iruka laughed. "That I have to see. Even the great Copy Nin won't stand a chance."

Tenzo nodded.

"Well... it serves him right. And he's lucky for it, too and I'm sure -"

Tenzo never got to finish his thought - Kotetsu burst in through the door.

"We've got trouble!"

"What?"

"A pigeon!" gasped the spikey-haired Jounin. "Sound is approaching the border!"

"SHIT!" Sakura slammed the chest lid down and followed her comrades out the door after quickly locking the apartment up. "What's the status of the camp?"
"Apparently, they're mobilizing - and getting ready..."

"Our chances?" asked Iruka, as they met Izumo downstairs and hurried to the Kage's office.

"Pretty good," Izumo smiled. "Thanks to Shikamaru, Temari, Ibiki and Iruka, we've been able to trick the Sound into thinking most of our forces are further west - that way, they'll attack us with the false idea that they can waltz in to take us - but we'll be ready and waiting - as always!"

"No we won't," huffed Sakura. "We're HERE! And it'll take us at least 2 days minimum to get there!"

"We can do it," Tenzo smiled. "No problem. If we start out right now -"

Tsunade was leaving the building when they ran up to the Kage's headquarters - a huge pile of folders in one hand.

"You guys are leaving?" the blonde kage asked. "You'll probably miss it - but - it's good to have fresh people for the clean up crew..."

Sakura grumbled, "Yeah... just what I wanted..."

"Well... It was your choice to come," Tsunade sighed. "Don't blame me..."

"I'm not..."

"Well... here's a bunch of letters and stuff - all the personal letters are waiting at the post office - Kotetsu, you get them. Sakura - you get ready to pack - and take two squads of medics with you and as much medical supplies as you can carry - I'll send back up staff at a more leisurely pace. Okay? Tenzo - you take these plans and letters to Kakashi - you have to hand it over to him - personally!"

Tenzo nodded.

"Izumo. You're going to find Temari - she's around here somewhere - you guys should take her with you - for protection - just in case."

"Alright!" Sakura clenched her fist. "We're going to make it there in record time! Let's go! Operation Save Kakashi!"

"Uhhh... that's not what this is about..." Tsunade trailed off as she watched her talented protege disappear in a cloud of dust. "Is it just me - or is she - like - out of it? or what?"

Kotetsu, Izumo and Tenzo disappeared to make their final preparations for leaving, while Tsunade made her way to a tea shop and ordered a pot to share with Iruka.

"Ummm..." Iruka stared at his teacup. "How can I say this? Love is one of the greatest forces on earth. With it, you can do anything."

"True," Tsunade agreed. "Which is why Oro-kun is going to lose, right?"

"Absolutely."

"But - Sakura is -"

"In love. With a very special person," Iruka smiled.

"Re-ally..." Tsunade smirked. "Finally... with whom?"

"Kakashi."

Tsunade choked on her tea.

"WHAT? That pedophile?"
"Now now... fourteen years is a small gap... when you're older... she's, what, twenty-one... he's thirty-five. It can work..."

"Sick... how long has this been going on for?"

"It's hard to explain... it'll take time..."

"I got time..."

"But Shizune -"

"Shizune's demands aren't as important as the fact my young protege is running off to lose her life for a perverted genius who can't get a girl..."

"Ummm... well... if you want to face the wrath of Shizune... then... this is how it went..."

"We're too late..." Sakura gasped as she and her companions burst out of the woods onto the large plains - once green and full of natural life -

Now a dreadful hellish landscapes -

Fires, pits, craters, dead bodies, flies, carrion birds -

"I want a perimeter check!" Ibiki and Jiraiya were commanding lower ranked Genins and Chuunins - while not-so-wounded Jounin staggered around looking for much-more-wounded Jounin who had chances for living.

"Okay! Let's split up - four to a group! That makes four groups - I want you to split the field into four and look for any signs of life! Priorities like with Konoha Nin - when we've secured everyone, we can start looking at our prisoners of war -"

"Ummm... prisoners of war? We won?" Izumo stared around. "How can you tell? This looks horrible..."

"That..." Sakura pointed at the torn red jumpsuit of Naruto and black clothing of Sasuke in the middle of the battle field. "And the fact Orochimaru isn't around..."

Tenzo leaped forward toward Naruto, followed closely by Sakura. Turning over her two teammates -

Even now, I think of him as precious -

Sakura mused as she looked over the Uchiha.

Despite his betrayal...

"He's fine... The fox probably is the only reason he's still alive..." Tenzo heaved a sigh of relief. "That amazing healing ability he has..."

"Yes... but - what happened here..."

"Alot," Genma collapsed beside the medic.

"Genma! You're alive!"

"Sort of... in body, if not in spirit..."

"What happened?" asked Sakura as she began her healing seals and placed her warm hands on the cold torso of the Uchiha. "Give me the basics..."

"The basics?" Genma asked. "Let's see... Orochimaru, Kabuto and company arrive - we have to fight our asses off. Orochimaru is killed by Jiraiya and Naruto... We think we're winning when Sasuke tries to kill Naruto - but is sidetracked by the appearance - of, you guessed it, the Akatsuki... Well... no suprise there, right? Naruto was already almost gone - the bijuu was totally out of hand... and then... I guess... the Uchiha have the ability somehow to control the Jinchuuriki so... Sasuke stepped in and - wow... it was a suprise... between him and Naruto - well... Itachi, didn't stand a chance... But of course, the Uchiha and Uzumaki have to finish the fight afterwards - when they're both dead - and then... Kakashi jumped in - you know... I think he was - ummm... I don't remember too well... I think Raido said something about Kakashi and Kurenai dealing with Kisame - and then I guess - old habits die hard - he jumped in to stop them. When the dust cleared and everybody who could move got up again... the two were lying like this - and Kakashi - speaking of which... where is he?"

Genma's long-winded description petered out into a kind of dead silence.

"What..." Sakura head jerked up from her expert bandaging. "He's gone?"

"Ummm... I don't know where he is..." Genma looked around - kind of lost - as if expecting the Jounin to pop out from behind a tree or something.

"I have to look for him," Sakura rose to her feet. "Sasuke will be okay. He's lost alot of blood - and I put the splint on his leg - and his ribs are bound up... so..."

"Naruto is doing fine," Tenzo put in calmly. "I'll finish bandaging him up. And then, I'll find Sai..."

"Sai? Oh... I think he's over there... He fought Kabuto... I think... Yeah... He's ok... a little dizzy, I think - he had to inoculate himself against some kind of poison..."

"If only that bastard were here..."

"Yes, yes," Sakura said absent-mindedly, rising to her feet as she looked around. "I'm sure you'd glare him to death with your scary eyes but -"

The pink-haired medic walked off.

"What's -"

"You'll see..." Tenzo said. "You'll see..."

The aftermath of a battle is always messy, Jiraiya had told Sakura and Naruto once - when they were hanging around a campfire. It's never pretty - and it's noisy and disorganized - and people get pissed - and the prisoners of war always get mouthy, and then some of them get dead -

But looking around her - Sakura had that feeling -

That tunnel feeling - the silence she had felt when Sasuke had left so long ago -

Where everything seemed to be focussed on that thing.

Sasuke.

Now -

Kakashi.

Nothing else mattered - nothing distracted her. All she felt was some sort of a dead emptiness. A sense of unreality as she stumbled on him - several feet away.

The force of the explosion - knocked him back this far - and he was -

She stared down at his limp body, tears blurring the green, the blue - and the pool of red together.

This isn't happening. He isn't here -

Falling forward onto her knees, ignoring the damp mud and blood staining her boots and skin, she found a cold, clammy wrist.

A pulse. Thready. Unstable.

But there.

He's here.

Here.

He's here in my arms.

DYING! Inner Sakura yelled. Get the move on, girl, DAMMIT! It's up to you to save his life!

Without a seconds thought - it was only natural to unzip his vest, cut open his navy blue sweater to reveal yet another huge gut wound. Biting on her lip, Sakura told herself to stop crying like an idiot.

I've got to heal the deeper part of the cut and then, bandage it and also release a few of the more healing pressure points... his chakra system is messed - and it's obvious that he's totally out of chakra. It's going to be up to me to heal him... but first... something to cover his eye...

Sakura found a bandage to wrap around his eye, laid her sensei flat on his back and began the slow painful healing process.

"Kakash-sensei... no... Kakashi... you're one silly, silly idiot... and a bastard - but an idiotic bastard..." she talked to her unconscious patient. "You're always hiding yourself - afraid of getting hurt - but being so alone - that hurts, too, right? In a different way..."

Bandaging him carefully, Sakura was just about to focus on his broken ribs and wrist, when she paused - at the sight of - right by his hand - as he'd drop them -

Scrolls?

"Wrist and ribs, first, girl... then the scroll..."

Twenty minutes later, the Copy Nin was tucked away in a small medic tent, in a comfy cot - a pillow under his head - his mask (although badly torn) still on his face. Sakura sighed.

I guess I'm a sucker. Always giving into him - and his little foibles. Like calling him Scarecow - which is what his name means - man... I'm dumb... and then... here I am, here he is - unconscious... and I could see his face - but instead - no - instead I'm -

Reading his private mail... If it is private... after all... it just might be another thing - except...

Sakura gasped -

One of the scrolls was definitely familiar.

Hey - this is -

She didn't have to open it to know what was inside...

Please come back, leave ANBU! I mean it! As for the post box - I'll find a way for us to meet - someday, somewhere - and remember - I'm waiting for you!

I love you forever, no matter what -

Sakura

p.s. If you don't follow through, I won't get mad at you - I won't abandon you - no. I will HUNT you down and beat you senseless and then drag you home... because - together, we'll make that cold place something warm.

She grinned.

Wow! I was brave. I have grown. Kakashi is right. And what I wrote - he - He showed up - all those years ago... and he recognized me. That must be love. We must be meant for each other... Iruka and Tenzo are right. He must still love me - if he's still carrying around my letter - just like he promised. Kinda corny, really. But... really cool... and kinda... romantic, in a way...

Setting her letter aside, Sakura looked at the second letter - her green eyes widening even more

It's to me - but - the date...

It wasn't hard to remember.

The day we met him - and talked to him on that white promenade...

Next day, he became our sensei - he was tough - but he did give us a hint... and a second chance...

Quickly she opened the letter -

After all - it IS for me.

Dearest Sakura,

We've met. Well, I know, I know. It's - all wrong - but - to me, it seems so right. I don't know why I'm writing this. I could get it to you - but - well... I don't know if I can get up the courage - even after all those years of encouragement...

Yeah... no change there... but then... this was written...

Sakura's mind felt like it was breaking as it tried to juggle the thought.

He was my sensei... 26... I was... 12... and let's see... I was already writing to him - when he was... 4... so... it would've been awkward for him to write this kind of a letter to me...

You've been too good to me - and I'll always remember your words. I hope that I can be the sensei you need - but I have a feeling it's harder than it looks... and well... dealing with a love struck girl is hard to deal with.

Who's calling who love struck?

But, I remember you telling me that you'd wait for me - and so, just as you advised me on the swing, I will show my love can wait...

No. I guess I just can't send this to you. It's just to crazy to be believed.

I just want you to know one thing.

I love you.

I will always be there for you.

I promise.

Loving forever,

Scarecrow

Hatake Kakashi

Wow... he's been waiting all this time - until I'm grown up and ready for him. He never pushed it - he just told me to -

He told me to be there - for him...

Sakura jumped as a cold hand found hers.

"Kakashi!"

She jumped up and bent over him.

"You're awake..."

"Somehow."

Kakashi struggled to sit up and Sakura, sighing, plumped his pillows for him.

"You're lucky to have such a sexy nurse waiting on you hand and foot, Mr. Genius-But-I'm-Going-To-Jump-In-Between-The-Chidori-And-The-Rensagen!"

"I am," he said simply - then tensed as he noticed the two scrolls lying at the edge of the bed - obviously opened.

He slowly raised his eyes - looking wary and -

Scared.

"You know..." Sakura said smoothly sitting beside him laying her hand over his and stroking it, trying to bring some warmth to the recuperating man. "I'm kinda pissed..."

"Uh... you are?" asked Kakashi weakly, shrinking back. "I'm sorry you're disappointed, I didn't think -"

"I'm pissed because we've wasted all these years writing letters when we could have been doing something more... interesting..."

Kakashi's eye widened noticeably, he visibly gulped as Sakura edged even closer, her hand rising up to the edge of his mask, as she pulled down his mask.

"But hey, I'm thinking, let's skip the arguing and excuses and start making up for lost time... what do you think?" asked Sakura, as she leaned in, for a soft, quick kiss on his lips.

"Uh... t-t-t-totally..." Kakashi's cheekbones flushed. "I think that is a good idea... seriously... good... mmhmmm..."

Another kiss, this time, a bit deeper.

"You know... you can open your eyes..." Kakashi said softly, bringing his uninjured hand up to his favorite kunoichi's cheek, brushing her hair back behind her ear.

"Really?" Sakura said, eyes flying open in excitement.

There was a worth-a-thousand-words silence.

"Sakura?" asked Kakashi's voice, tentative - a failed attempt to awake his student out of her struck-dumb-with-drooling state of mind.

"You're so..." Sakura squeaked. "YOU'VE BEEN HIDING THIS ALL THE TIME! IDIOT! BASTARD! I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY!"

Kakashi shrank back against the pillows at the force of her voice.

"Hey... I'm a patient. You're going to make me sicker... seriously... can you keep the noise down, too, we're not alone here..."

Sakura leaned forward again, wicked smile on her face.

"I said... payment is due, evil, sexy jerk..."

"Ummm... well... I can't do much... but how's this for starters?" Kakashi's hand tightened on her shoulder as he drew her close -

For another kiss - a kiss that ended somewhere in the stars as his warm tongue slipped past her teeth to taste her sweetness and somehow, she ended up on his lap -

"WHA- WHA- WHA- WHAT THE HELL!" Naruto screamed. "Pervert sensei!"

"I'm dreaming... gotta be..." Sasuke's jaw dropped open.

"It's funny how people wake up at the weirdest moments," sighed Sakura. "Oh well..."

"Oh well?" Kakashi said crossly. "This is not good -"

"Oh well?" yelled Naruto. "That's all you can say when he comes onto you... you know... this is just like Icha Icha... hot nurse, wounded nin... sex in bed..."

"Now you're giving me ideas..." Kakashi smiled.

Sasuke suddenly suffered from a nosebleed.

He's too hot for it to be right...

"Nonsense," Sakura smiled. "I started it."

"WWWWWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTT!" Naruto and Sasuke yelled.

"I'm glad... you did."

"Did what?"

"Started it," Kakashi explained. "If you hadn't been so open and honest and well..."

"Hmmm... yeah... well... I owe you, too. Your belief in me... let's call it even and start from there, okay?"

"O-o-okay."

"We'll start of easy - a couple of dates - and then, we'll move on from the there... but... I want to make this clear..."

"Ye - yes?"

"I'm not moving into your apartment - it's a WRECK!"

"A WRECK?"

"It's old! Grungy! Too simple! You'll be moving in with me until your family house is fixed. Okay?"

"O-o-okay..."

"Love is waiting, you said," Kakashi spoke softly into the warm early fall afternoon - sitting there at their favorite spot. The tree in front of the Academy.

Five months had passed, the mansion was undergoing reconstruction - under Sakura's nitpicky, careful eye. Between that, her medic duties and keeping Kakashi out of trouble, Sakura was kept very busy.

"Yep."

"But... It's going to be another three months before the house is done..."

Sakura sighed,"Okay, okay. I get it. You can move in. Tomorrow."

Kakashi wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.

"Hmmm... I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm sure you are."

"You don't know how glad I am - that you waited and everything."

"Yeah... same here."

A pause.

"Let's go..."

"Yeah..."

Be strong and you'll get strength back
Feed the fire and you'll get warmth back

OWARI