Promises Remembered

Chapter 9

A/N Here we go!

Chapter 9

Sakura

Sixty-six days into the past

With a frustrated sigh, Sakura tossed the green qipao on her bed and grabbed the nicer of her two red ones. She liked how the green brought out her eyes-Kakashi had said so the first time she'd worn it...

No. She needed to stop thinking about him. She was going out with Gai.

But that was why she shouldn't wear the green. Wrinkling her nose, Sakura imagined them walking down the street, almost matching.

She groaned. Why was she thinking so hard about this? It wasn't like it was going to be a real date. Gai was nice. Sakura was surprised how much she actually enjoyed his company. But she wasn't interested in him romantically. She definitely wasn't interested in finding out about his abilities in the bedroom.

The only reason she had even agreed to go out with him was because she needed a distraction from Kakashi. Spending almost every waking moment with him for the last week had been excruciating. Their chemistry was undeniable. Whether they were talking about nothing in particular, or he was staring into her eyes and toying with her hair, Sakura could feel it. It was making her crazy.

He is not for you.

It was repeating on a constant loop in her head, but it wasn't helping anymore. The worst part was, her hot and cold reactions to him were obviously starting to get to Kakashi too. Why did he have to like her? Why had she caved and offered to take care of him personally? Why did she have to be tossed back in time?

The more she got to know him now, the more she knew-in another universe, another life-she could easily fall for him. It was absolutely killing her.

With another loud, frustrated groan, Sakura shook her head to banish useless thoughts. Glaring between her outfits, Sakura decided she didn't care if they looked matchy together. She looked nice in the green.

Dressing quickly, Sakura glanced at the clock. She had twenty minutes to finish getting ready. Adding just enough makeup to enhance her best features-Ino would be proud-and deciding to let her hair hang free around her shoulders, she decided she was happy with her appearance. She looked nice, but not too try-hard.

Just in time, there was a knock at her door. "I'm coming!"

Giving herself a final once over in the small mirror she'd hung by the door, Sakura pasted a smile on her face and opened it. "Hey, G... Kakashi?"

Her heart nearly stopped to see him standing there, one hand resting on her door frame. He was wearing civilian clothes, black pants and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his forearms. It was casual but he looked nice.

"Yo, Sakura-chan."

She sighed, dropping her head to the side. "Where is Gai?"

He smiled, exuding a boyish charm as he took her in. "You look nice, Sakura-chan. Gai isn't going to be able to make it. Got held up. Mission or something." He shrugged. "I figured I'd take you out instead. It would be a waste for you to stay in now."

"Kakashi..." Dammit, this was exactly not what she needed. But he looked so handsome and she had put actual effort into how she looked. He was right. It would be a waste.

"Come on. I still owe you dinner, don't I?" He reached for her hand, gently tugging her out of her doorway.

Biting her lip, she gave in. "Alright-but it's not a date."