Synergic Paths
2. – Meeting an Ex

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Sakura just couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was outrageous, clearly, because it was just... outrageous!

"Jealous?" the amused, cynical drawl snapped her from her reverie. With an indignant glare thrown at the one known as the Copy Ninja, Sakura promptly let out an indignant huff.

"If I were a jealous person, Kakashi, I would be really disgruntled about the time you spend with Kurenai-sempai and her son."

A silver brow rose in interest. "So you're jealous of Kurenai?"

"Don't be such an idiot, you sound like Naruto," Sakura snapped in a whisper, turning her gaze back to the people next to the counter. Yamato was listening intently to what a purple-haired woman was saying, a little smile plastered on his features.

Kakashi knew perfectly that his female lover was rather disgruntled seeing her other lover being so friendly with another woman. But he had looked underneath the underneath and he realized that Yamato also had perceived Sakura's grumpiness. Therefore, it stood to reason that the smile Yamato wore was more nervous than anything.

Both knew that an enraged Haruno Sakura was more dangerous than a Naruto with four tails.

Yamato was no fool; he knew how Sakura was feeling about his conversation with his former ANBU comrade. His sempai, Kakashi, didn't help matters either, seeing as the other man was smirking under that ever-present mask, obviously amused by the predicament he found himself in. The purple-haired woman across from Yamato was chattering merrily away, not realizing that she was teetering precariously between life and death.

Sakura clenched her gloved fists and stepped towards them, only to have a mission scroll tossed at her face by Shizune.

"Thank goodness you're here; you spared me the trek to your home!" Shizune said in greeting. "You have a mission at the border. One of our squads seems to have encountered a band of rogue ninja and they sent a message requesting medical aid. Many of them were injured."

"I understand," Sakura said with a firm nod. "When do we leave?"

"Now," Shizune answered. "Your partners for this mission are Kiba-kun and Neji-kun. Meet them at the gate, Sakura, and thank you."

"No need to thank me, Shizune," the pink-haired medic said with a small smile as she scanned the scroll swiftly. "See you in a month."

This of course, perked two pairs of ears, but for the sake of appearances, they could do nothing but watch her stroll toward the exit, a smirk hidden behind roseate bangs.

Yamato smiled tensely as Yuugao greeted her other sempai, the silver-haired one. This didn't bode well for either of them if Sakura went away for a month without giving Yamato a chance to clear up this whole misunderstanding.

Excusing himself pleasantly, he made his way quickly to the gates, where both the Inuzuka and the Hyuuga were waiting for their third teammate. Hiding behind a fence, he grew a little cherry tree next to the road, intended to catch its namesake's attention when she arrived.

Emerald eyes that hid more hurt than anger looked up when their owner arrived. When they landed on him, Yamato leapt down to her. Words weren't needed when his dark brown orbs shone with the same emotions glittering in her eyes.

"She was Hayate's girlfriend," he whispered as he got closer to her, ignoring the odd stares they were attracting from the two shinobi waiting for her. "You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

Sakura deflated visibly. She just couldn't stay mad with Yamato. Kakashi was another story though, because the man always seemed to get a kick out of her angry visage.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, placing her hand on Tenzou's green vested chest. "I'm such a fool for thinking that –"

"It's okay, Sakura," he answered with a little frown. "I'm feeling rather uneasy seeing you off with those two."

Her face brightened just a little bit. "You're jealous?"

Yamato shrugged. "I can't help it."

"Alright," she said with a smile. "It's a good thing that you never had anything with that ANBU woman, right?"

"Just remember that I am more interested in other things."

"Good! Now I can go in peace. See you in a month, Tenzou," she said cheekily, walking to the gates with a devious smile.

As he watched her bounce away with her two mission partners, he almost missed Kakashi's presence next to him.

"Did she ever tell you she dated Kiba for a while?" the Copy Ninja said, quirking an eyebrow curiously.

"No way," Yamato turned to regard his comrade.

"Yep," the silver-haired man said with a nod. "I guess it's true then, that saying 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'"

"So you're jealous?" Yamato asked, failing to conceal his amused smirk.

"Of that kid? Nah. I know she'll come back to us."

"You're too confident."

"It's all about trust, Tenzou," Kakashi intoned lightly. "I trust her. What about you?"

"With my life."

"Then we have nothing to worry about."

- Tenna' ento lye omenta -

-XxX-

A/N: Kakashi is so full of BS. XD Thanks to RapturesRevenge for her beta, as always!