Promises Remembered

Chapter 13

A/N So, I think I finished part one? I was up until almost one working on it. It still needs a little polishing and I need to add a little to the penultimate chapter, it ended up being 23 chapters instead of 22. oops. I can't wait for you all to read it! I hope you all enjoy this fun little chapter! Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought! Love you!

Chapter 13

Sakura

Seventy-six days into the past

"Hana-san!" Naruto's smile was wide and infectious.

Sakura smiled back as he raced down the steps outside his apartment building. "Hey, Naruto. How has your week been?"

His smile fell slightly but he quickly shook whatever it was off. "Great! Are we gonna cook again? I really liked your curry. Can we make that again? And the fish?"

Laughing, she took his hand and directed his attention to the tree above them. "Sure we can, but I didn't come by myself today. Do you mind if he joins us?"

He peered up into the branches, his smile returning when he spotted Kakashi. "Hey!"

Kakashi, crouching in the tree above, waved once down at him. "Yo."

"He's feeling better and wanted to check on you himself before he goes on his next mission in the morning."

Naruto crossed his arms and stood a little straighter. "You don't have to worry about me. Someday I'm going to be an awesome shinobi like you. I can take care of myself!"

Kakashi's head tipped to the side slightly, his arms crossing too. "Oh yeah?"

He nodded. "Yeah. But... Hana-san is better at cooking than me." Laughing, he looked back up at Sakura, eager. "Let's go, Hana-san!"

Laughing at his excitement, she waved up at Kakashi and let Naruto lead her to the market. Kakashi would be waiting for them there at Naruto's apartment when they got back from their shopping. He was leaving the next morning before dawn with his team for his first mission back, and they had decided to spend their last day off with Naruto.

Well, the day anyways. She had vague ideas about their evening. There wasn't much bruising on his side thanks to all of her healing and so far he was moving fine. Part of her worried about risking further strain right before a mission. Would it be worth risking him not being at his best if there were real fights just because she wanted to have sex?

Sighing, she shoved the thoughts from her mind to focus on what Naruto was telling her.

"And then I told Sasuke-kun that his bento wasn't anything special. Who cares if his mom made it? But then Ino-chan and Sakura-chan yelled at me and said I was stupid and just jealous." He frowned, glaring at the ground.

Guilt ate at her. She hated the way she had treated him when they were kids. More than anything, she wished things could be different. All she could do for him was try to be a bright memory while she was here. "Do you have a bento, Naruto? We can make extra so you have enough to take to lunch too if you want."

He frowned up at her. "No, I don't. I usually just take cup ramen."

"Well. I'll buy you one. My treat."

Grinning, he pulled her along faster. "Thanks, Hana-san! Let's hurry, I'm starving!"

<KSK>

She could feel Kakashi's eyes on her from behind his ANBU mask. He was sitting at Naruto's small table, watching them cook. There really wasn't room for three in the tiny kitchenette and Naruto wanted to help. She wondered what he was thinking.