The Chain

Reminiscence

Sarah was still shaking as she made her way towards the restaurant that she was supposed to be meeting Kakashi at in ten minutes.  Damn, she had really let some of her skills go.  Her feet had been firmly planted on the side of the wall and she was almost to the second level when she heard his voice from the window above, losing her concentration before she fell fast towards the ground.  Only her quick thinking to use her water Jutsu had kept her from slamming hard into the ground.  She flicked her arms hard to dislodge the water that was still on them and scowled at the front of her outfit, which was now partially covered in water.  She'd have to come up with something clever to explain that one.  She groaned as she walked away, ignoring some of the looks she was getting from those that had watched the whole spectacle.

She shook her head.  Damn, who the hell told him about the book?  Everyone knew that while he did read, he primarily just read the Make Out Tactic series over and over again.  She was thankful Neo wasn't intimidated by any man.  He would have to figure it out was her some other way.  That was damn close, though.  Had he seen her, his fast analytical mind would have pieced that together really fast.  She just had to make the details accurate, didn't she?  He was going to be angry with her when he did figure it out.  She better enjoy this brief interlude today because the next time she saw him, he was most likely going to be pissed.  She was almost to the restaurant when she felt him suddenly at her side.

"However did you manage to get yourself drenched?" he asked softly.

She bit her lower lip, "I'd rather not embarrass myself by saying."

He chuckled softly, "Very well, keep your secrets.  We all have them after all, don't we?"

Sarah eyed him while grinning, however she couldn't help but feel nervous feeling as if he was probing her.  It was probably just her guilty conscience about being the author he was trying to hunt down. He pulled the door open and ushered her inside the restaurant, the feel of his hand on the small of her back sent a current through her.  Damn hormones.  They didn't have to wait long as the hostess took them to a booth in the back, away from where most of the people were sitting.  She raised a brow at him with humor as she slid into the booth across from him.  Being the former Hokage definitely had some perks.  They were almost in their own dining room. It had been a long while since she ate at the barbeque restaurant.

After ordering, he finally sat back in the booth and stared at her for a long moment.  Sarah felt almost like he was trying to sort something out.  She cleared her throat, a bit uncomfortable under the look.

"What do you do with your time now that you're not the Hokage?" she asked into the silence.

"Whatever piques my interest," he responded before drumming his long, lean fingers on the table.  She glanced down at them before shifting her eyes back up to his own. "I'm sorry."

Sarah blinked in shock, "What?"

"I'm sorry for pushing you away," he finally said.  "You were the only one who didn't think I was a monster then.  Why didn't you?"

Sarah was saved from having to answer the question when the waitress returned with their meat, rice balls, and their drinks.  She eyed the waitress, trying to ignore how intently he was looking at her.  She took a drink of her water as the waitress left them finally.  She started flipping meat on the grill before answering.

"I just knew you weren't," she responded as she met his eyes. "The day I pounded the shit out of Kurenai, and you came after me, I knew then that you were a good person.  When Obito was killed and you got his eye, I could see how much it bothered you when I'd see you around the village.  Then when Rin died..."  She looked away, her eyes burning now knowing what actually happened.  "You were just tortured.  You looked cold outwardly, but I could see it.  You have expressive eyes, whether you realize it or not... or maybe that's just because that's all anyone can ever see."