It is a must for any shinobi to have good observation skills. It can save an entire nation and is a subject of great importance in the Academy. But of course, some are just naturally gifted with it.
Like Hatake Kakashi.
For his part, it’s like breathing for him. Not to mention that he can’t risk not knowing about things and his surroundings when he’s the jounin in charge of Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno, the rowdy – and dare he say it? adorable – Team 7. The four of them started off better than any group he’s been with. After all, they were the only ones who passed his legendary bell test. Mission after mission, their teamwork improved greatly. Despite the differences in their personalities, the three genin complimented each other well. Also, he got the front row seat on seeing how their bonds grew stronger with each passing day.
And his mismatched orbs couldn’t help but notice the changes between his favourite students, one with the colors of midnight and the other a personification of spring.
Sakura came off strongly as a fangirl and Sasuke a closed and reserved person in their first meeting, but those gradually changed, much to his amusement. He didn’t know if the two noticed, but there were changes in their body language when the other is present.
At first, Sakura would always latch himself onto Sasuke, and the Uchiha survivor would complain and push her off. Slowly and surely, the Sharingan wielder tolerated it. Though he may deny it, Kakashi was certain he considered her a comrade… a precious person to protect. He did try to stop an enemy ninja from hurting the pinkette using his body as a shield, risking his life in the process.
The mission in the land of waves was a great turning point to the bonds of Team 7, and it was when all four of them considered the others as family. It was also beyond that point when Kakashi noticed how Sasuke and Sakura got closer than before. The dark-haired teen no longer pushed Sakura away when she comes to hug him, and heck, he was the one initiating the contact on some occasions. The trust and mutual understanding between the two was palpable.
So much so that Sakura predicted the same day and time Sasuke would leave the village.
The two grew apart, that was inevitable. Sasuke went deeper in his hatred and Sakura’s love for him was too strong that she’s willing to live a life knowing that she killed the man she loves in order to save him.
After the war, Kakashi saw the red string of fate tying the two.
During Sasuke’s stay in the village after his trial, Team 7 tried its best to rekindle the bond that was dormant but never broken. The sensei, now Konoha’s sixth hokage, tried his best to attend the numerous meals and sparring sessions usually arranged by Naruto. It was in these encounters that he knew, just knew, that there was already something more between Sasuke and Sakura.
For once, Sasuke always sat beside Sakura wherever they eat – be it Ichiraku’s or a new restaurant. Now, it’s been like that since their genin days, and Kakashi almost wanted to shrug it off as just a habit. But his sharp eyes, despite lacking a sharingan, caught the subtle brushes and the eye contact shared between the two. And when they talk, oh how the hokage wanted to tease them badly but decided against it, thinking that it may cause some unnecessary awkwardness. They’d have their own zone, their own little world, whenever they talk. It’s as if it’s just them, and nothing and no one else matters.
Also, in the moments that Kakashi would leave his office to get a breath of fresh air, he would seek out the two, seeing them walking around the village while sharing a conversation or sparring. Once, he saw Sasuke patiently waiting outside the hospital, waiting for Sakura to finish her shift. And when she did emerge from the double doors, he saw how the two immediately glowed.
He wondered if they know about it, how one unconsciously started to seek out the other. How they unconsciously tried to feel the other. How unconsciously their postures relax and their entire aura just becomes happy and content. How unconsciously the need to be together became stronger.
He was there when Sasuke left the village again, but this time for his self-imposed road to redemption. He saw the blush on her face when she asked to come with him and the sadness that followed when he said no. He saw the smile he gave Sakura as he poked her forehead. He saw the promise spoken and the way they went into their own dimension again.
Most of all, he saw the love blossom between the two.
That’s why, when Sasuke came back to take Sakura with him, he didn’t have it in his heart to say no. It’s time for the two to be happy and Kakashi would rather get blow away by a chidori than deny that to them. They deserve it – a happiness long overdue. He wished them well as he saw them off at the village gates, and the mask on his face did nothing to hide the smile on his face. Naruto waved loudly beside him, muttering that it was about time.
Kakashi couldn’t agree more.
Seeing the backs of two of his beloved students – now heroes of the shinobi world – he couldn’t help but chuckle at how the two started to walk in sync, their shoulders almost brushing. Kakashi’s gut feeling told him that they’ll be happy, and his instincts are always right.
Now he sees them again after their travels – together, side by side as always – but this time, as husband and wife with their own little bundle of joy… a family of their own.
My breath hitches in my throat as the door to our bedroom closes almost completely, a small crack of light barely passes through. Just hours ago, Sasuke-kun returned back home from rescuing Naruto from the Otsutsuki clan. Moving from that spot seemed almost impossible as I watched my child stare into the no longer existent portal her father created. Hinata and I couldn’t help but shed a few tears as we watched our boys return to us. The hammering in my chest hasn’t stopped since our eyes met.
“Sakura…” His voice breaks me from my thoughts as I look straight into his mismatched eyes. There’s a tenderness in his tone that I haven’t heard in so long. He moves slowly to kneel in front of me as I reach out to stroke the hair away from his eyes.
“Sasuke-kun, are you okay?” I whisper, trying to keep my voice down so we don’t disrupt our sleeping daughter. The past few days have been exhausting for everyone in the Uchiha household.
“Ah. I’m home.” His words confuse me as my brows bunch together, of course I know that he’s home. Sasuke-kun has been home for weeks, so why say it now. Warmth radiates from my body as his hand moves up to grab ahold of mine. Sasuke-kun has never had a way with words, so his simple gestures and glances mean more than others perceive. At this moment there is a shine to his eyes that I haven’t seen since we were first married.
“I’m home for good now. No more travelling unless they need me to, no more disappearing for years without so much as a letter. For the rest of my life I plan on being here by your side. I know that I haven’t been the best husband and father but from now on I will be here.” Tears form in the corners of my eyes and I jump into his embrace. The sudden action takes him off guard as we fall into the floor with a loud thud.
His words reply through my mind and I can’t help but be saddened a little by them. As we untangle ourselves, I grab his chin with my small hand. There’s never been a thought in my mind that would ever call him a bad husband or father. We both knew the price when he went on his journey, never once for a second did I give it a second thought. Sasuke-kun has spent years away from us in order to protect us. Of course all I’ve ever wanted to do was help him with any obstacles that he faces, but I know that only Sasuke-kun can accomplish certain things.
“Anata, to Sarada and I you are the best husband and father we could ever ask for. Once again you’re being too hard on yourself. From now on we can be side by side, just like it was meant to be.” I lean in a place a soft kiss on his cheek before pulling us both up from the floor. Our bodies tangle together again and we can’t help but to hold onto each other for dear life. We’ve both missed out on so much together, but there is still plenty to experience together as well.
SasuSaku Month 