A Leaf in the Rain

3. Finally! A Break in the Case! Chyah!

Sakura found herself to be in quite the predicament. She couldn't sleep. It had almost been two whole days since they found the box and she found that her mind continuously wandered too whoever that girl was. Sitting up, the rose-haired kunoichi placed a ribbon in her hair and dressed to go train.

Oh well, I might as well considering we didn't do much today.

While she was walking, Sakura's thoughts consisted of the girl and of Sasuke. She figured that Sasuke must've thought she was a complete love-craving fool. When she first saw the picture of the girl, she wasn't one hundred percent sure that the girl was Kakashi-sensei's lover. It was just the mere thought of the possibility that excited her. To her, Kakashi-sensei reminded her of Team Seven - herself, Naruto, and Sasuke. The Jounin is one of the elite ninja of the village, but he was so aloof yet so carefree. If there was even a possibility that Kakashi-sensei had once been in love, then there was hope for her and Sasuke to be together too. And that's what excited her! The possibility that her love for Sasuke might be returned! However, after today's events, she seriously doubted it.

In the middle of her walk, Sakura stopped for she happened upon a sudden revelation. Those pictures were taken in the Hidden Leaf, so someone besides Kakashi-sensei would have the answers that they were looking for.

But who would know? I need to see those pictures again. Chyah!

Now full of energy, she decided to skip the training and go find Naruto, who probably was doing nothing to solve this mystery.

Detective Uzumaki my butt! That idiot!

If she couldn't solve who this mystery girl was, then there really was no chance of anyone else solving it. They already asked Kakashi-sensei, who was absolutely useless.

What Sakura could not figure out, however, was why Kakashi-sensei had the reaction he did. From the looks of the box, it didn't seem that anyone had opened it in years.

She obviously wasn't very important to him, but what if he was trying not to remember who she was? Or what if those pictures weren't even his? What! Of course they were his, because he was in them. Duh, Sakura!

As Sakura approached Team Seven's training grounds, she decided to head to Naruto's place instead. Cutting through the underbrush, she decided a detour would be faster than walking back the way she came.

After twenty minutes of trudging along, unaware of where she really was, Sakura determined she was lost. All of the trees looked the same in the darkness. Walking further along, she found herself staring at the root of the problem she was having, Kakashi-sensei.

Why is he here? At this time?

His back was turned to her and he seemed to be in deep thought. As she walked closer, she realized that he was staring intently at a rock.

She didn't dare to interrupt him. Sakura maintained her hidden position in one of the surrounding bushes. She realized that if she were to move further, he would hear her and then that would be a disastrous situation.

As Sakura watched her instructor intently, she came across the realization that he appeared to leave his guard down, but she knew the Jounin too well to know that he wouldn't ever do that.

He looks sort of sad and-

"Sakura."

"Y-yes Kakashi-sensei?" Surprised by his awareness, Sakura quickly stood up, brushing the leaves that caught themselves on her ribbon.

"Go home."

Sakura knew that he only wanted her to get enough sleep for training in the morning, but the way he said it - so bluntly - triggered her already sensitive emotions from the day.