The Girl They Never Saw [Completed]

Chapter 14 ~ Mercury Tears

      "Sometimes tears are refreshing, cleansing, and afterwards you can smile. But some tears only leave you feeling worse." -Sakura Haruno

      Kakashi did not return to the Hokage's office until the next day, and the bags under his eye hinted that he hadn't slept at all.

      The Third viewed him skeptically. "I didn't think her file was that thick. What delayed you?"

      Kakashi bowed his head. "There was no file. It's gone."

      The Hokage stood up, eyes blazing. "What do you mean gone?"

      "Just that. It was missing, stolen probably. But there was no sign of a break in. I checked everywhere."

      Lord Third sat back down, a calculating look in his eyes. "An inside job then?"

      "It would seem so, unless our perpetrator was more skilled than we know." Kakashi's voice was dull, emotionless. "I request a mission to go after Sayuri."

      The Hokage thought for a minute, then nodded. "Very well. But don't force her."

      Kakashi blinked. "What?"

      "It is a ninja's choice to be loyal to their village. Sayuri's loyalties obviously do not lie only with us. It would be safer to have her rogue and happy than citizen and furious."

      Kakashi wanted to argue, but thought better of it.

      "Convince her to return if you can," the Hokage continued. "But leave the decision up to her."

      "I will, Hokage-sama." Kakashi made a hand sign and disappeared, bowing to the Hokage as he did so.

      Lord Third sighed, and rubbed his forehead. "Why do I not believe you?" He stilled for a minute, then looked up with an exasperated expression. "I assume you heard everything?"

      An air vent popped open and Sakura Haruno tumbled out. "Pretty much." She said, not at all remorseful. "I missed the first couple seconds, but got the last bit."

      "Great." Sarutobi sighed. Now he had an eavesdropping seven year old to deal with.

      "And no, I'm not planning on doing anything." Sakura reassured him, but he didn't miss the flick of her eyes that meant she was lying.

      He rolled his eyes, but ever so subtlety. "I can't actually assign you a mission. You know that."

      She nodded. "I do, Hiruzen-san." Her blunt use of his name, even with the honorific, made his eye twitch. A sly grin spread over her face. "But I don't need a mission, I just need an approval."

      He groaned inwardly. She really wasn't going to drop this. "Fine. Sakura Haruno, I give you permission to follow Kakashi Hatake and stop him from disobeying his orders. Report on your return."