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After a few years of leading different paths, the original team 7 finally had time to gather for an impromptu reunion. Everyone had grown and learned a lot over the past years, but the friendship was still as strong as ever.
The group exchanged stories over food and drinks. Naruto was still as energetic, Sasuke still reserved but can now manage to smile and relax, and Kakashi was very much still his old self. Except for Sakura, who had seemed to grow more mature than any of her male counterparts.
From time to time, Kakashi would throw Sakura a sideway glance, intrigued and curious by her sudden quiet and reserved nature. He couldn't be sure if Sakura had indeed changed into that new personality of hers or if it was only for that night and the only reason she was being too quiet was because she was having a dilemma. Whatever it was, Kakashi only grew more intrigued.
Finally, the party came to an end. Naruto and Sasuke were tipsy, Sakura was drunk, but Kakashi was just as sober as he was that morning. Seeing that neither of the boys were fit to take Sakura home, Kakashi put that task on himself. After taking care of the bill - something he was keen on doing just for that night - Kakashi ushered the boys home before leaving to take Sakura home to hers.
However, when Kakashi reached Sakura's residence, the young pink-haired medic nin suddenly turned around from walking ahead of him, and with an angry look on her face, charged toward him and grabbed a fistful of his vest. Kakashi felt his whole body tense, bracing himself for an uppercut or some sort of severe bodily harm only she can inflict to a member of the famous Team 7. He didn't even think of defending himself; couldn't really bring himself to use even a single of the thousand jutsus he knew on her. But instead of a punch or kick, Sakura only stood there grabbing the front of his vest and glaring at him.
"Ok, Sakura." The confused Copy-nin conceded, raising both hands in surrender. "You got me. What's going on?"
And that was when Sakura vented out her frustrations about, well, him.
"Y'know what, Kakashi-sensei, you really are unfair!" Sakura began in a slur, fighting off her drunkenness. "I really hate it that you've never seen my potential and trained me as hard as you did Naruto and Sasuke. You never believed in me and had overlooked my potential. Why were you like that, huh? Why did you never believe in me?"
Kakashi was speechless. He could only stare at Sakura, asking himself the same questions. He could think of two answers to that: one, he had been such a blind prick back then, never recognizing Sakura's talents. And two, he doubted he had been the right person to teach her.
"But y'know what, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura continued as she pressed herself against him to look him straight in the eye. "Even though you abandoned my training, I was proud of you. I was proud of the man you have become, and I still am."
With this final declaration, Sakura slumped down toward his chest and lost consciousness.
While Sakura was contentedly leaning against him, Kakashi just stood there holding her and still trying to process what Sakura had just said. He didn't know for sure if it was Sakura herself or the liquor talking, but her words sure surprised him and pierced his heart, making him swell with both guilt and pride.
Scooping Sakura's sleeping form in his arms, Kakashi closed the remaining distance to Sakura's apartment. Once inside, he carefully laid her on her bed and covered her with the blanket. As he gazed at her, Kakashi decided he never deserved Sakura's praise.