#SakuraMonthD12

[saskiel]

Moment you loved her

A short story which was written for @sakuramonth , by me.

This one holds a special place in my heart. I am not sure why. It’s rather bittersweet and it makes me cry. Is it a good or a bad thing when my own story makes me cry, lol.

Also, if you do read the story all the way to the end, I am curious about who do you imagined asked who. It was made open to the reader's interpretation on purpose.

Two life-long rivals were dressed in black, standing side by side, their heads down. They were the last ones here, everyone else has already left. Itachi turns away from the lifeless body in the display coffin, glancing at Kakashi.

"How about we bury the hatchet for tonight and get a drink? She'd want that," the other man sighs in response but nods in agreement.

An hour later they are sitting in a quiet pub, each nursing a glass of hard liquor. Neither of them has said anything ever since they left the funeral home. Looking at them, no one would be able to tell these men used to brawl about the stupidest little things during university studies. They simply look tired, anyone could confuse them for two businessmen who needed a bit more time after a trip out of the country before returning home.

"The ceremony was done well. It was nice seeing everyone there, even with these circumstances," Itachi blinks, unsure if he heard his drinking companion correctly. When the man across from him offers no more words, he decides that this is as good of a start as any other.

"Yes. It was peaceful, wasn't it? I'm glad so many of her friends were able to make it, given the short notice," he takes a sip from the glass, hoping the alcohol would blur the memory of the phone call from the hospital, still fresh in his mind.

For a while they are just sitting silently again, each lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly, Kakashi smiles and snorts. Itachi looks up from the amber liquid, frown on his face.

"You know, I still remember the first day I saw her. She was waiting for someone in front of our school during December. It was cold that year and there was a lot of snow. It was somewhat of a miracle that I even saw her, she was all bundled up. Her face was facing the gray sky and she seemed to savor the light touches of snowflakes falling on her skin, melting instantly. Not sure if it was the pink hair or the serenity that she radiated, but I thought at that moment that she is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen in my life," Itachi smiles at Kakashi, afraid to say something that would break the fragile moment between them.

"She was there every week after that, always on Thursday. Sometimes she'd be looking at her phone, drinking a coffee from Starbucks or reading a book. It took me over a month to gather the courage to approach her. She was sipping from a tumbler and was staring into nowhere. When I was finally standing in front of her I was suddenly unsure of what to say. It took her a while to notice me, but when she did, she just smiled at me and said hi. She made it look so simple," he shakes his head, remembering how he must have looked like a total nitwit at that moment.

"I was wrong, you know. When I thought that she was a beauty. Because when those green eyes were smiling at me, I would have given her anything she'd ask for, right there. I still can't believe that she married you," for the first time ever, there is no venom in those words when he addresses them to Itachi.

The dark-haired man glances down at his wedding band and mindlessly touches it. Then he smiles.

"You know, there are days I cannot believe it either," they share a genuine chuckle. After that, Kakashi goes on about their first encounters and how he learned that she was waiting there for her friend. He mentions that he saw her at the funeral as well.

A good hour passes by and Itachi listens to the stories that come pouring out of the silver-haired man. Some of them he heard before from Sakura's point of view, some of them are new to him. He enjoys hearing them all - makes it easier to accept that she is no longer with them. There is no question about the other man's love for his deceased wife. Then again, it never was in a question before.

The waiter comes and gives them new drinks. Kakashi raises the whiskey glass in a toast.

"To Sakura," Itachi repeats the simple but meaningful toast when their glasses connect. After all, it means so much more to both of them. It would be impossible to put it into words even if they tried.

"The first time I've seen her was at our house. She came by to study with Sasuke, they were still in high school. I did not think much of her back then, but she was very polite and I knew my mother loved her instantly as she stepped through the door," Itachi smiles, still fond of the memory.

"She started coming over more often when they were preparing for the final tests. The three of them, Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto, were always so loud. You know how the three would get when they got together. Sometimes I'd have to leave to go do my own studying elsewhere," Kakashi chuckles at the misfortune of young Itachi, knowing full well that the trio was always a force to be reckoned with.

"But then I saw her years later. It was a formal event but I wouldn't be able to tell you of what anymore. I can only remember her from that night. She was wearing a dark long-sleeved dress which was revealing most of her back. There was a glass of champagne in her hands while she was chatting with Ino about something. The moment she laughed I knew I wanted to hear her laugh every day for the rest of my life," Itachi stops speaking, not able to continue. He wants to tell the other man about how they danced that whole evening, how his hand was touching her skin and that made him happy, but he's afraid his voice would betray him. He takes a sip of his drink instead.

Kakashi is observing him and waits patiently. Although he did not understand Sakura's choice in men, they are both on the same page now. Mourning. He would give him the time he needs because he needs it and they need each other.

"She really did love her Starbucks coffee, didn't she?" Itachi surprises the silver-haired man with such random question, seemingly out of nowhere. But soon after he agrees with the statement, remembering all the times she'd drag him to every Starbucks in the town.

"Yeah, she for sure did. Do you remember how she would pout when they no longer served the coconut flavored latté? From the way she was explaining it to the barista when he informed her that they no longer have it – you'd think that the world was about to end," Kakashi shakes his head in disbelieve, but with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I'm guessing she had to settle for a 'caramel macchiato, with an extra shot and whipped cream on top'," they recite the infamous order together and burst out in laughter immediately afterward.

And for a while, they forget. They forget that they won't hear her laughter anymore, or see her get furious about any seasonal flavoring that she might like a little too much. That they won't see her play with her hair when she's completely absorbed in reading the newest book from a series that she adores and quotes it all the time. Even though she's the only one who understands the reference.

Itachi won't wake up with her head on his pillow tomorrow morning.

Kakashi is not going to see her for their weekly board games evening this weekend.

"I've got this whiskey at home. Maybe you'd like to come by and we could see if it's any good any time soon?" There's a hint of uncertainty in his voice, but he asks anyway.

"Yeah. That sounds pretty good to me," they exchange an understanding glance. After that, they pay and leave the bar. Sometime tonight, when they were sharing stories, it started snowing outside…

[sofya-fanfics]

In That Moment He Loved Her

My Sakura Month contribution for the prompt : Moment You Loved Her.

I hope you like it !

(kakasaku)

@sakuramonth

Sakura yawned and stretched. She felt like she had been sitting for hours.

'You didn't have to help me Sakura.'

Sakura looked at Kakashi and smiled.

'I already told you that I didn't mind Kakashi-sensei. And I was not going to let you be buried under these papers.'

Earlier, Sakura had arrived in Kakashi's office to give him a report and found him completely helpless in front of several documents of all kinds. Sakura had recognized this look. It was the same Tsunade had in this situation. She knew that Kakashi would never ask for help, so she sat down on the other side of the desk and helped him. Without any of them realized it, it was getting dark. Kakashi looked at the clock and put down his pen.

'I think we can say that the day is over,' he said.

Sakura nodded and they went out of the building.

'I'll walk you home.'

'It is okay Kakashi-sensei. It is not very far.'

'I don't mind, it's on my way.'

Sakura nodded even if she knew he was living in the opposite direction, but she also knew that whatever she said, Kakashi would walk her home anyway. The village was calm at this late hour. A real change compared to the rest of the day.

'The moon is beautiful tonight,' Sakura said.

Kakashi looked at Sakura. She was starring at the sky and her face lit up in the moonlight. There was something poetic and romantic in this vision. She no longer was the insecure genin when she was in Team 7. She was a strong and accomplished woman. A beautiful woman he saw for the first time. Kakashi blushed. He was glad to wear a mask, he thought. Sakura looked at him and smiled.

'Thank you for walking me back.'

'You're ... you're welcome,' he stammered.

Sakura entered her apartment. Why did he stutter like that in front of her ? He acted like a teenager. He was ridiculous.

****

Kakashi picked up habit to walk Sakura home. When she did not go to see him at his office, he was waiting for her when she left the hospital. These times with Sakura had become the best time of his day. Every day he was eager to see her.

'See you tomorrow, Kakashi-sensei.'

'I already told you not to call me sensei.'

'Fine, Hokage-sama.'

Kakashi winced.

'It's even worse.'

Sakura laughed. Kakashi loved to hear her laugh. Then he understood something. He was in love with Sakura. He did everything to convince himself that it was impossible, he was older than her, and above all, she was his student. But even if he tried to convince himself otherwise, he loved her. It was an impossible love since she could never love him back. For her, he was Kakashi-sensei. So he did the only thing that seemed right to him. He avoided her. As soon as he saw her, he pretended an appointment or an important meeting. He saw the disappointment in Sakura's eyes, but he thought it was better that way. Several days passed, then a week and two. Until the day a furious Sakura came in his office. A terrified jonin followed her.

'I'm sorry Hokage-sama. I couldn't stop her.'

Kakashi almost wanted to laugh. When Sakura was in this state, nothing could stop her. What made him laugh less was that her anger was directed to him. He told jonin to leave.

'What can I do for you Sakura ?'

'Why are you avoiding me ?'

Kakashi knew that someday he would have to face her. He only wanted a little more time.

'I don't avoid you.'

'You always have an appointment, you are always in meeting.'

Sakura's expression changed. Her gaze was no longer filled with anger, but with sadness and doubt.

'Did I do or say something wrong ?'

Kakashi felt guilty.

'You didn't do anything wrong, believe me.'

'So why ?'

Kakashi rose from his chair and came up to her. He had to stop himself from taking her in his arms.

'I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you. It's not quite as simple as that.'

'Try to explain it to me.'

He remained silent.

'I can understand. I thought we were equal. After all we lived, I thought you could trust me. Kakashi.'

Without thinking about what he was doing, Kakashi went up to Sakura and kissed her. He suddenly realized what he was doing. He wanted to move away from her and to apologize, but he was surprised when Sakura stopped him and kiss him back. They parted too quickly for their liking. They smiled, they looked into each other eyes.

'I've been dreaming of it for a long time,' Sakura said.

'Me too.'

They kissed again. Everything was now clear for Kakashi. No matter his doubts, his questions. What mattered was that he loved her.

[pxnkpxp]

\ sakura - cry \

“let your tears come. let them water your soul”

[kalira]

Tiny Gift (a story for @sakuramonth - Day 12: Moment You Loved Her)

T; 900 words Rock Lee/Sakura

Sakura has rarely if ever been so worn out in her life, but the tiny bundle in her husband's arms, and the delight they share in their new daughter, are definitely worth it.

[reehlia]

SakuraMonth Day12 : Moment You Loved Her

“ Is it possible? To fall in love with the same person over and over again? But then, I met her and I knew the answer to my question. Yes, it is.”

“There wasn’t a single moment that I didn’t love her. Not one. I fell for her again and again, like I did for the first time.”