Chapter Three: Prospective Callers



Kakashi tapped his foot nervously. He looked at the sun. It was before ten in the morning. Six o’clock was coming too slowly. Now that Sakura was of age, he felt like he could ask her out. She no longer referred to him as her teacher. That bond was finally over. He only invited Naruto to make it less awkward. Naruto had a way of putting the people around him at ease.

Kakashi sighed as he looked at Guy, his rival; punch the air with the enthusiasm of a child. He saw Guy’s doppelganger, Rock Lee, copy the action with even more zeal. Guy’s two other pupils, Ten Ten and Neji, look at each other with strained eyes. Kakashi laughed. He did not feel like doing anything. In fact, he loathed the idea.

Rock Lee smiled at Kakashi and skipped over. “Teacher Kakashi! How’s Miss Sakura doing?” Kakashi inwardly winced. This boy’s overly polite nature grated on Kakashi’s otherwise steel-like nerves. Not only that, but also this boy was starting to become handsome, by miracle of his personality if not anything else. He had the air of a gentleman and good manners radiated from him with the power of the sun. He was kind and loyal to a fault.

Kakashi cleared his throat and spoke kindly, “She seems well.” He added, “She’s going to meet me and Naruto at the ramen shop later today.” Lee smiled with his huge, perfectly proportioned teeth in a grin so wide Kakashi wondered how Lee’s face did not split and fall apart. Not that he actually wanted it to. Not that much anyway. Really.

“I’d like to ask her parents if I could call on her, but seeing as they are no longer with us, I’ll ask you. You were her teacher, and I know she respects you and that you look out for her, as a guardian. So, please, may I have the honor of calling on the beautiful Sakura?”

Kakashi felt his inner voice laugh maniacally. ‘Sure,’ it sneered, ‘you can call on sakura! The flowers are blooming on the trees all around us! I’m certain that one of the trees would date you!’ Instead, Kakashi smiled, “Well, you certainly have my best wishes for you. However, Sakura has another caller that beat you to the punch. But, the best of luck to you!”

Rock Lee smiled again, “Thank you Teacher Kakashi! I’ll do my best to win over the beautiful heart of the dearest Miss Sakura regardless of the obstacles!” Kakashi felt the urge to vomit. He swallowed down the sickening acid that welled in his throat as he watched Lee leap gracefully to his squadron. Lee waved to him and Kakashi politely did so back muttering to himself, “Good luck, you little piece of shit.”

Rock Lee watched as Kakashi vanished in a flurry of deep green leaves. “Lee! What were you doing my youthful comrade?” Lee smiled with cheer, “I was getting the proper permission to call on Miss Sakura for a formal date. I think the reason she always rejected me was that I never went through the proper channels. I simply asked her to be my girlfriend without properly wooing and winning her heart. A wonderful lady like Miss Sakura must always be treated like a princess!”

Ten Ten sighed, ‘A princess?’ she thought. She smiled. Ten Ten felt an elbow nudge her aside, “Yo.” Neji smiled at her. “Looks like Bushy-Brows might have competition.” She pursed her lips, “From whom?” Neji smiled, “Sakura’s really cute. And she’s smart too.” Ten Ten felt her heart drop into her stomach, “Oh.”

Neji smirked, “But I’ve always thought you were cuter.” His smirk diminished, “But Lee’s got it tough. He’s got some hell of a competition ahead of him.” Ten Ten stared at Neji, “What do you mean?”

Neji bit his thumb, “You’ll see.”

Kakashi walked up and down the streets of Konoha. The weather was beautiful. He smiled as he saw Sakura rush past him with a box tucked tightly to her chest. “Just six more hours, and you’ll be all mine.”

“Six more hours to what?”

Kakashi jumped out of his skin. Konohamaru stood next to him. “That’s Naruto’s girl, you old man.” Kakashi smiled brightly, “Whatever are you talking about?” Konohamaru turned away, “She’s Naruto’s girl! He saw her first! He’s got dibs! You pervert!”

Kakashi bent at the waist and smiled at Konohamaru, “You can’t call dibs on girls.” He lifted his headband, “And if you could, I saw her first.” Konohamaru shook his head, “YOU’RE WAY TOO OLD FOR HER! SHE’S TOO PRETTY FOR YOU ANYWAY!”

Konohamaru would not be intimidated by Kakashi’s red eye. He stood his ground, stuck out his tongue, and ran away.

Kakashi felt somewhat unnerved. “Pervert,” he mumbled. He slipped his headband over his eye. He stared up at the sky. I think I’ll go home and take a nap.” With that, he made off in a whirlwind of dirt.

Konohamaru doubled over with a stitch in his side. “Th-that cree-py Ka-ka-shi,” he huffed. “I have to warn the Boss,” he exclaimed. He took off towards the woods as fast as his feet would carry him. It came to mind how pretty Sakura was. She was scary like Lady Tsunade sometimes. Nevertheless, she was very pretty. She smelled nice too. Like a fresh field of flowers. Konohamaru wiped a dribble of spit from the corner of his mouth. It was no wonder that Boss Naruto liked her so much. She had pretty, soft skin and beautiful, tapered fingers.

Konohamaru put such images out of his mind. He swallowed, remembering how she had been so kind to him when he had fractured his leg. He was in so much pain. She had picked him up gently, taken him inside, given him something to drink, and kissed his forehead. She then told him it would hurt, but the future Hokage should be able to tough it out. He nodded. He had started crying the moment she touched his leg.

She smiled and told him it was okay. She gave him a pain shot and told him it was okay to cry; but that he would have to try to be stronger for each tear shed. She set his leg and kissed his cheek, telling him how brave he was. He felt a blush rise to his cheeks again remembering how soft her lips were. He shook his head.

He remembered how warm her chakra was as she healed his leg. She then bandaged him up, made a cast, and gave him a big hug. She was so soft and warm.

“That’s Boss’ girl!” he screamed to himself. He ran faster into the forest. Konohamaru reached a clearing to find a brush of gold poking out of the tall grass. “Boss!”

Naruto sat up groggily. He waved and moved his hand to stifle a yawn. He stretched out, popping his shoulder joints. “What’s up Konohamaru?”

Naruto’s blonde hair had grown out and settled. So had his personality. He was mellower than he was just a few years ago. He had learned to pick his fights carefully. He wore black and orange instead of the bright blue he was so fond of as a child. He thought it would attract girls. That’s what Shikamaru told him. However, that only worked for frogs and stuff. Besides, his blonde hair stood out enough to catch people’s eyes. Moreover, his reputation preceded him: though not always as favorably as he would like.

“That pervert Kakashi is trying to steal Sakura away from you!” Konohamaru screamed. Naruto cocked his head and lifted his eyebrow, “She’s too young for him.”

“That’s why he’s a pervert!” Konohamaru said with even more urgency. Naruto closed his big blue eyes. Kakashi tended to like girls with more meat on them, like Tsunade. Kakashi also liked mature women who knew their stuff. “It doesn’t fit,” he finally said.

“But he said so!” Konohamaru did not know what to do. Naruto stood up, “Well,” he said, “that’s gross. Thanks for telling me Konohamaru.” He walked over to Konohamaru and ruffled the younger boy’s hair. “You’re the best ever,” he added.

“I think,” mumbled Naruto, “that I’ll go buy some chocolates for Sakura. She could stand to eat some more, she’s as skinny as a twig. I worry about her sometimes.”

“Sounds like a good idea Boss,” said Konohamaru.