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kayparker20 · 3 years

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Inner Turmoil - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Kakashi, So Help Me!

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Sakura couldn’t have felt more trepidation than she had the last few days. How do you tell your surrogate mother, that is also the hokage, that you love, and may have possibly, slightly, maybe, already slept with your team leader who is 14 years your senior? And your former sensei? Certainly she would be at least a little understanding, right? Maybe she could at least be happy for her? Would she disband team 7? No, that would be horrible….

She went to sit up, being forced to remember the pale, muscular arm that was currently pinning her waist to a chest. A very muscular and defined chest. She turned red as she heard her lover grumble softly as he began to wake up. “Sakura, where are you going…”

Ah yes, speaking of sleeping with him, it has been in his bed that she had been in for the last three nights. And not exactly very conspicuously. Not that she had any regrets, but it was all still so new. It was only a little over a week ago she had been pep-talked by none other than Naruto to try and get through to Kakashi.

She smiled softly, flipping over awkwardly to face him. “Well, someone, meaning one of us, should probably tell the hokage we’re together before she hears through the gossip that is beginning to start…”

He opened his charcoal eye to watch her carefully. “And you intend to do that, right now, when she’s probably hung over and already going to be angry.”

Sakura giggled. “If you think I can’t handle her hangovers after going through being trained by her, you’re sadly mistaken. I learned to dodge things quite well under her wing!”

He chuckled as pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “I love you.” He said softly. “But maybe, I should be the one to tell her.”

She gazed up at Kakashi, a little confused at his offer. “Are you sure about that?” She placed a hand on his cheek. “I’m almost certain she would pummel you without thinking twice, unlike myself.”

He smirked. “Perhaps, I deserve that exact pummeling.” His face fell a bit as his thoughts tread deeper. He was currently in bed, naked from last night, with his former student. The more he thought about it, the more he was beginning to want to distance himself, no matter how much he loves her. He didn’t think it was worth ruining her life with it.

Sakura knit her eyebrows together in concern, before sliding her hand from his cheek into his hair and kissing him softly.

He returned the kiss half-heartedly at first, the feelings of discouragement present in his mind. When her leg moved to wrap around his waist, he pressed her flesh against his body, earning a soft moan from his pinkette. He slanted his mouth over hers fully, easily sliding his tongue past her lips to tangle with her own. She hummed softly in approval, tugging softly at his silver strands.

He rolled her over onto her back, kissing down her jawline and neck. “At this rate, we won’t tell her before her hangover fades.” He chuckled softly, running his hands down her sides, delighted at the shivers running through her body from his touch.

She opened her eyes to gaze at him lovingly before sitting up, and cradling his face in her hands. “I love you, Kakashi.” She smiled warmly, before pecking his lips softly once more. “But we have got to tell her today.”

He rested his forehead against hers, and nodded softly. “I’ll get dressed and head over to the hokage tower now.”

Sakura looked away. “Do you think she would disband team seven because of us..?” She huffed. “What about Naruto?”

Kakashi sighed softly. “I’m sure Naruto is well aware of the possibilities that us getting together could lead to. I’m not really sure what she will do, but that is usually the protocol when a leader becomes romantically involved with a teammate. But I can imagine she isn’t going to be happy…”

She nodded before curling back up in his blankets and sighing.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t wait on me if you have plans.” He chuckled softly and kissed her forehead.

He stood up and strided over to his dresser, grabbing one of his usual standard uniforms. He eased himself into his pants, finding his muscles to feel a bit stiff. He slid a shirt over his torso before slipping on his flak vest. Within moments he was gone from his apartment, leaving Sakura in her thoughts.

Shizune softly knocked on the door, assuming the Fifth would be hungover this morning, as she was many other recent mornings. “My Lady…”

“Go away, there are no mission reports to be gathered as I am more than well aware none of the shinobi I sent are back yet!” The blonde hokage grumbled as her head laid on her desk.

“I actually maybe have some other news of interest, My Lady….” Shizune opened the door to the office of her master and hokage, and the hokages that had come before her. She held a glass of water in her hand, and Tonton in her other arm. “There appear to be some rumours going about.”

Tsunade snatched the glass of water. “Are you really interrupting my hangover with petty gossip, Shizune?” She narrowed her eyes over the rim of the glass as she took a sip, her manicured hands gripping the glass tightly.

“Uh, well. I wouldn’t say i-it is petty gossip, but yes, gossip nonetheless.” Shizune gulped audibly, knowing her friend would not appreciate the coming news.

Tsunade eyed the raven haired girl from behind her desk. She had better hope it was worth waking her up or else she just might knock her into next week. Maybe from right out the window from the top of this damned tower. “Well, get on with it then, what are you waiting for?” She grumbled and settled back against her chair.

Shizune set her shoulders before meeting Tsunade's eyes. “When was the last time you spoke with Sakura?”

The blonde busty woman raised an eyebrow. “Why would Sakura be the object of gossip among shinobi?” Her voice was level, and her fists clenched, ready to clobber anyone who might think it a good idea to put dirt on the name of one of her apprentices.

“Ah, so you haven’t spoken with her in, say, the last week? Month?” Shizune chuckled nervously. “Maybe perhaps about something in her… Personal life?”

“Shizune, the last time I spoke to Sakura, we were talking about her wish to open up a mental health clinic specifically aimed toward shinobi and the traumas they face, as well as her current project with the children’s clinic that she and Ino plan to run together.” She huffed out irritably. “And that was a little over a month ago, outside of just directing her duties in the hospital, as you would know from being present yourself. I don’t know if you could tell, but I’ve been rather busy here and so has she at the hospital.”

Shizune rolled her eyes. Knowing busy was really drowning in sake and grief like usual, only worse still since the death of the beloved Jiraiya. She knew why she drank so much more lately, everyone did. No one had yet dared say anything to her as she still met her hokage duties sober… Mostly so anyway.

“So, no. I haven’t been told about anything in her personal life.” Tsunade snapped. “Now, spill it before you piss me off even more, damnit.”

“Rumours are going around that she and Kakashi are…” Shizune scratched the back of her neck. “Well uh… Together, you could say? Genma said he took her home from the bar about a month ago while they were both pretty deep into drinking.” She watched as Tsunade’s glare only deepened.

“Well, I would think it fit that Kakashi would make sure she got home safely, even in a drunken state. He knows how to handle his liquor like any shinobi. Though Sakura still has that to learn…” The amber eyed woman said through gritted teeth.

“True…” Shizune nodded. “However… That wouldn’t explain Raidou telling me that he heard Asuma telling Kurenai he found Kakashi ‘tangled up with the hokage’s apprentice’, about a month ago...” She snickered lightly. “And we both know it wasn’t me, because I’ve been ‘tangled up’ with Genma…” She blushed lightly at the admittance, even though she knows her shishou is well aware of her feelings for that ‘imbecile’ as she calls him.

“You mean to tell me…” Tsunade stood up from her desk. “That Kakashi is sleeping with Sakura, as a team leader, and her former sensei.”

Truth be told she couldn’t give a damn less that they were together, it was more about how she was finding out. She couldn’t believe Sakura hadn’t told her. Kakashi followed his duty well, so to find that he hadn’t informed her of such events was shocking. Her eyes narrowed the more she thought about the situation.

She was more than well aware that no matter how much Sakura had grown as a ninja, she was still vulnerable emotionally, and the very thought that she could just been used in a drunken one night stand made the motherly woman’s blood boil, well aware that Kakashi was not one for attachments and that Sakura very well would get attached.

“Y-Yes… My Lady.” Shizune nodded softly.

“You find that damned white wolf and you get him in my office, now!”

“Baa-chan!” Naruto came bounding into the office. “Are there any-”

“Naruto, what have I told you about just barging in here!”

Naruto cowered at the sight of her already being angry. “Ah! Why are you so angry, it’s only 9AM, Granny!” Naruto whined and shielded himself from potentially flying office supplies.

“No matter, go find your damned team leader and you had better do it right now!” She snapped.

“Uh-oh…” Naruto nodded gravely and darted from his future office.

That can’t be a good sign. If Kakashi is the reason Tsunade is so angry that could only mean one thing…

Naruto was making a beeline for Kakashi’s apartment before slamming into a familiar and rather amused looking blonde ninja. “Ah, sorry Ino, gotta go!”

“I knew it!” The blonde screeched, having overheard the prior conversation. “Sakura is with Kakashi!”

“Well, yeah! She didn’t tell you?” Naruto stopped and stared at Ino dumbfounded.

“You mean she told you, but not me!”

“Uh… Well… Not exactly. I mean…” Naruto scratched the back of his head. “It’s kind of hard not to notice some kind of romantic tension between your teammates, especially when Sakura came over crying about a month ago, convinced that Kakashi couldn’t love her-” Naruto clamped his mouth shut, realizing Sakura may beat him senseless for revealing such intel. “Oh, man! I’ve already said too much!” And turned and darted out of the building. “Granny Tsunade is gonna skin Kakashi alive!”

“Tsunade is gonna do what to my flawless skin…?” Kakashi deadpanned from the entrance to the Hokage tower as Naruto ran past him. He gave a weary look to the top.

Something tells me someone told her before I got to do just that in a few moments from now… This is gonna be fun. He shivered at the thought of her brute strength aimed directly at him, and with full intent of causing bodily harm. “Perhaps I should turn around before she gets the chance..?” He shook his head and sighed.

“Wait! Kakashi!” Naruto ran back to his team leader. “Kakashi, I think Granny Tsunade knows…” He laughed nervously. “And she’s definitely not uh… Thrilled?” He scratched the back of his head. “She sent me to get you but you’re already here! She’s scary mad already...”

“That bad, huh?” Kakashi deadpanned. “Well I knew this was coming.” He sighed before walking up to his beloved hokage’s office. He went to knock on the door before she berated him through it.

“Kakashi, I know that’s you! Get your ass in here, now!”

He stepped inside and closed the door. “Hokage-sama. I was already on my way before you sent Naruto for me.”

Tsunade glared daggers at him. “So then you have something to tell me?” She enunciated her words rather harshly compared to other meetings and he winced silently.

“Well, uh. I’m not exactly good at expressing myself, for reasons you’re rather quite aware…” Kakashi looked at her and proceeded to rake his fingers through his silver strands. He thought briefly for a moment about how it feels much better when Sakura does it before clearing his mind.

Shizune watched him closely, curious about how this all ended up happening.

“Do you really think Sakura is an acceptable kunoichi for you to be having little rendezvous with, Kakashi?” She growled out.

He flinched slightly. “Tsunade, they aren’t just rendezvous.” He straightened up and met her eyes. “Do you really think I’m stupid enough to bring that sort of awkwardness and unprofessionalism to my team?”

“Don’t you catch a tone with me!” She stood up and came round her desk and stomped towards him, her heels clicking with her fury, until she was face to face with him. “And if that’s not the case, then maybe you should explain to me these damn rumours about my apprentice being tangled up with you.”

“Well, that part is no rumour.” He said flatly, looking her in the eye. “Now, the context surrounding it, perhaps.” He kept his shoulders straight, continuing to hold eye contact. “This isn’t just some fling, Tsunade. ”

Outside the room, Sakura slowly came up to the door. She was about to knock when she heard Tsunade’s voice.

Tsunade watched him carefully, listening to what he was saying. “Since when did you fall in love? You’ve avoided being close to anyone since your original team.” She knew it was a low blow, but he had better not been playing her naive apprentice. “Sakura is rather impressionable, Kakashi, I won’t have another emotional stump ripping her heart out if I can help it, damn you.”

“I love her. I... love Sakura.” He sighed, and slumped into one of the chairs in her office. “You don’t have to tell me that she’s vulnerable…” He was a little surprised at the vehemence in her voice, expecting more of a lecture of duty from a boss, as opposed to the protective fury of a mother. He should have known the two would mix here. “I have absolutely no intentions of ripping her heart out, Lady Tsunade.”

“Kakashi, if you break her, so help me, you will know no other pain than what I inflict upon you… She is not some plaything for you.” The blonde spat at him.

She smiled softly, being well aware of Tsunade throwing around threats shamelessly, but also at the protectiveness in the voice bearing the words. She couldn’t believe that Kakashi was being so raw with her shishou. When she heard Kakashi’s voice, sounding more than stressed she frowned.

He met Tsunade’s eyes, allowing more emotion into them for her to see than he ever had for anyone other than Sakura. “Did you ever think maybe she came to me? I never intended to act on my feelings, ever.” He took a deep breathe, trying to keep himself composed. “Sure, we got drunk, and she cried that she didn’t want to be alone. In a lapse of judgement, I brought her to my place with no real intentions other than to comfort her, like I always have. She kissed me, and I let it go a little too far before I realized I had my former student pinned between myself and my couch and my mouth.” He gulped. “I tried to distance myself, even though I have realized I care for her deeply, more deeply than I could say I’ve ever cared for any team mate.”

Sakura wanted nothing more than to burst through the door and save him from her master’s wrath but he insisted he be the one to tell her, and here he was doing exactly that. She knew this wouldn’t be a pretty conversation, but she had hoped Tsunade wouldn’t automatically assume the worst of him. She stood out the door, eavesdropping and holding her breath at times to make sure she could hear them clearly.

“You were her sensei! How long have you ‘cared deeply’ for her, eh? Hopefully not while she was 13.” Tsunade spat. “Not even Jiraiya was ever so dirty.”

He scoffed. “It’s not like that! Just because I enjoyed Jiraiya’s books and am a bit perverted doesn’t make me that disgusting!” He shot back. “I’m well aware of how it looks, but I would have never looked at her in such a way while she was still a child. I never… Intended to ever look at her past being a comrade…” He threw his hands up, his next words coming sarcastically. “Yeah, I totally sat there and looked at her back then and thought ‘wow maybe I could love again’ when she was thirteen and I was twenty-six! Do you really think that low of me?” He huffed.

Tsunade stared at him momentarily, taken aback by the outburst coming from the usually indifferent and emotionally stable man. Perhaps that was a bit far of an accusation. She sighed and crossed her arms. “No, I don’t. That was uncalled for.” She stared at him with narrowed eyes. “But how does this happen? You’ve been stone cold, even keeping people close to you, like Guy, at arm’s length. And now you’re telling me you love Sakura. How long has this been going on, hm? Also, how about the part where it’s your responsibility to inform me of such dynamics forming so that I can decide whether or not to reassign your team?”

“I had been coming here to tell you about everything before you sent for me. I have already even warned Sakura that we could be reassigned.”

Kakashi stopped talking a moment, feeling pensive. Remembering the little moments that had begun to shift his feelings toward her. Fleeting moments during training and spars, when she would be dressed a bit scantily. Moments when they had made eye contact for just a little too long. Moments where he had comforted her or saved her. Moments where he allowed physical contact between them more and more often until it felt normal with her. Moments where she found him at the stone, and he told her bits and pieces of his pain. Moments where being open just came naturally before he even thought about it. Moments when he realized he felt jealousy over her with other guys. Moments where he began to realize he didn’t want life without her, that simply staring at her name on a stone would never suffice his grief and guilt if she ever died. Moments where his judgement had faltered even just slightly, like the night of the bar.

“And if you never planned to act on it, what changed now?”

He sighed, deciding he’d have to start from the beginning. “I was at the bar, Genma convinced me to go. To my understanding, Ino had convinced Sakura to go out, but then got drunk and sad and called Choji to pick her up. Sakura had stayed behind, I’m not sure as to why.” He shrugged, knowing Tsunade would care less about the parts not involving himself. “There had been some creep trying to demand her attention and wasn’t taking no for an answer, and she had sought out the ‘jounin corner’ where we always sit when we go-”

“And who is ‘we’” Tsunade asked.

“Asuma, Guy, Genma, Anko, Kurenai, Genma, and Kakashi, and sometimes I’m there as well.” Shizune cut in.

Kakashi nodded. “Kurenai's eyes widened and then a female voice was saying something about having asked to be left alone, and I recognized her as I finally sensed her chakra. I had been on my third careen.” He scratched the back of his head, clearly knowing that was too much.

“Then I heard the man talking to her in one of those dark, low tones, suggesting she went with him. I turned my head and threatened him, and saw just this look on her face as she was looking at me. I had never seen her so happy, no, so relieved, to just be near me. And the way that guy was looking at her had just-” He grimaced at the memory. “I’d never felt such a need to make it clear someone wasn’t available, even though she was! I just felt so… Possessive but also protective of her. I pulled her in close to me, and then even after he’s gone, she doesn’t move, and seems rather content. It piqued my curiosity, but I was drunk and it was wrong.” He hesitated to continue, sure that the next part just might get him a chakra enhanced fist in his face, but decided the truth was well worth whatever pain he may end up with.

“Once she kissed me at my apartment and I heard her moan from a simple touch, I was instantly sober, because I realized my former student was in my arms and even if I had started to realize I loved her, us being drunk was not how I would have ever wanted us to start.” He shook his head softly. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, having been surprised to hear her student had made such a bold move. “So tell me, where did you go from there? How do you end up with her still even after that lapse, and you still pushing her away?”

“It hurt her because I backed off and told her she was drunk and I wouldn’t take advantage of her and this was wrong, that what I did was wrong. I let her sleep in my bed and I slept on the couch.” He heard her hum softly, but now she’s staring at him intently and he hates being under such scrutiny. “And then a few days later, Naruto bursts into my apartment ready to kill me because she’s at his house crying to Hinata over that night because little do I know, she loves me and fears that it was just alcohol and lust that lead me to kiss her back. And damn it, it wasn’t but I was just trying to do right by her. ”

He gripped his fists on the arms of the chair. “I’ve never met anyone who ever made me even consider love, let alone feel it. Not since Minato died… I would never intentionally cause her pain.” He said brokenly.

Sakura hates to hear the pain in his voice. She placed her hand silently on the door, wishing she could comfort him. She just wanted to see him and hold him, knowing the pain that lies in his memories of losing his sensei, the last surviving family he had had. She had stopped masking her chakra, not caring if any of them knew she were there. She would still hold the respect and not walk in without invitation. To hear the man being so open and raw in his feelings for her shocked her a bit, knowing he was almost never like that with anyone. However, it was seeming he was being ripped apart by Naruto and now Tsunade over her, when he had let those walls come down slowly between them. It just made her feel guilty...

“Kakashi…” Tsunade softened suddenly, sensing a familiar chakra signature.

She could see now, the anger fading. The way Kakashi seemed like an open book, even if it was out of pure fear of what she might do. The more she thought about it, the more she started to realize she had seen them together an awful lot over the past year or so. How Sakura was always happy around him, and always chose to train with him when she could have trained with anyone. She vaguely remembers the very man in front of her bringing coffee a few times to the pinked haired girl, despite his hate for hospitals.

And she even remembered how much less he fought and complained about being healed or being in a hospital whenever Sakura was appointed to care for him, whether it was a serious injury or his routine check ups on the sharingan.

“I was disgusted with myself.” He said in a low tone. “Look at me. I’m jaded and traumatized like most ninja my age. Falling for this…” He smiled a little bit. “This girl I initially looked over years ago, because she acted like a typical emotional girl and not a shinobi, fawning over Sasuke. This girl that went under the tutelage of yourself, and became a woman and a strong shinobi. This woman who has seen a war, yet still has this hope in her eyes. This woman who was always at my side for the past year. I only ever realized how much she had truly grown in a sparring session, and have felt the disgust with myself since, and it only grew worse after that kiss. This woman, who somehow got behind my walls, and rather easily. This woman who insisted on taking care of me, this woman who knows exactly what, and who she wants, no matter what judgements will be thrown. This woman, that I’ve already hurt, and have failed multiple times. How did she go from loving Sasuke, to loving the man that couldn’t keep him with her? How did she get under my skin and make me love her too? I can’t tell you when it started because I spent a good deal of time refusing to even acknowledge it. And even when I did admit it to myself, it felt wrong.”

“Kakashi, she was your student…” Shizune said softly. Tsunade put a hand up in Shizune's direction.

He frowned before cradling his head in his hands. “Yeah, I’m well aware. I was her sensei. I’m fourteen years older. I’m broken, and she’s not, not yet. Not as much as me. She’s still innocent and still believes in life. She has a whole life ahead of her, and doesn’t deserve to be with someone like me… She doesn’t deserve for everyone to look at her like some scandal. Or like she’s just trying to climb the ranks, even though she’s already a jounin herself. She doesn’t deserve to be in a relationship where people question the validity. She deserves someone that can be open all the time, someone that is affectionate and available. Someone who isn’t traumatized and damaged.”

Tsunade placed a hand on his shoulder, a small smile on her face. “Kakashi, stop it… You don’t need to keep tearing yourself apart like this. This is nothing like it looked like initially, you’re not disgusting, and if anyone decides what she deserves, it’s her. And maybe myself.”

“But yet, here she goes after me. After Naruto tells me she was crying because of me, and tries to desperately convince me to tell her I love her once I confide it in him. I don't go to the breakfast he planned, because I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t ruin her life, she couldn’t be hurt by what she doesn’t know. Or worse, bear the thought of losing her if I did let myself actually have her.” He looks up at the ceiling. “But here she comes to the memorial, as if she knows exactly where I’ll be, and knows I’ve been there most of the night. Because she does know. And she’s there, just talking to me, comforting me and I don’t think she even realizes her very presence is comforting to me.”

Shizune watched, now feeling guilty. She hadn’t realized the actual emotions that were tumbling through them.

“All I’m thinking about is how I have failed them, and wondering what Minato would think of me as a sensei. I never lusted after her, I didn’t want this to happen, I knew the consequences of fraternizing with her in a regular situation, let alone in the one where I’m her sensei and much older than she is.”

But she doesn’t care. She never cared about any of that. She only cared that he loved her and she loved him.

“And then she says I need my eye healed, so we go to my apartment and while she’s doing that, I’m thinking about what Naruto said, and about how much I just want to hold her and kiss her. And then she’s telling me she remembers that night and how she felt. I gave in as she’s pulling my mask down and I kissed her. She tells me she loves me, that I’ve always been there for her, and she looks me in the face and holds it in her hands and tells me she’s not going anywhere…” He looked back up at Tsunade. “I thought she was just sick of being alone, but when she did that… When she looked at me said she loved me so sincerely. I just had to believe that maybe Naruto was right, that maybe it could work and we could just…” He ran a hand through his hair. “That we could just be happy. That I could be happy…”

Sakura smiled at the admission, at the fact that he had faith in love, even if it was only a little bit, and that it was fragile. That she was the reason it was there, that Naruto had convinced him even just a little bit that it was worth it…

Tsunade turned away from him and sighed. “Are you aware of what this all entails? What the consequences are…”

He nodded. “Team Kakashi will be disbanded…”

She raised her gaze to meet him again, smirking. “Well, according to the elders it should be. What I might do, on the contrary, is very different. Disbanding your team won’t stop or change the relationship.”

“Shishou!” Sakura burst through the door, not able to take it anymore. “Please, don’t hurt him!” She came up behind Kakashi, placing her hands on his shoulders, a pleading look in her eyes. He glanced up at her in shock, having been too caught up in trying to prove to his superior his feelings were valid and try not to get thrown out of the window like he pictured already, to ever sense Sakura’s presence behind the door.

Tsunade was well aware her apprentice had been outside the door for some time now. She turned to face her student. “Is there a reason why I had to hear about this from Shizune, who heard it from Genma and Raidou who heard something about the“hokage’s apprentice being tangled up in Kakashi’s sheets”, hm?”

Sakura laughed nervously. “Uh, well...uh. It’s only been like… A little over a week?” She offered weakly.

Tsunade raised an unimpressed eyebrow. “A week since it was official or a week since it started.?”

“Uh.” Sakura tried to find the words to explain the whole situation. “Lady, how do you expect me to tell you I fell in love with Kakashi? To tell you I’ve loved him for years? I mean, would you have taken it seriously?”

“Of course we would have!” Shizune exclaimed. “Sakura, you are like her child.”

Sakura looked to the side. “Even so… I wouldn’t even admit it to myself for a long time. Not to mention, what was the point of stirring it all up, up until recent events I was sure it was one sided, and I’m more than well acquainted with unreturned feelings.”

Kakashi reached up and gently grabbed the hand that had been grasping his left shoulder. “This was supposed to be my job, Sakura…”

She squeezed it back. “There’s no way I was gonna sit back and let her pummel you, unjustly.”

Tsunade watched them for a moment, knowing just how sincerely Sakura meant that, even though she’s more than well aware that Tsunade could still kick her ass.

“I actually wasn’t going to pummel him, however; if he ever causes you the kind of pain that breaks your heart, I will be the first to inflict pain he’ll never forget, and then heal him so he’s still on my roster as a shinobi.”

“And… What about our team?” Sakura glanced back towards her surrogate mother.

“I am in charge of the current team rosters, and you’ve unknowingly had mutual feelings for each other and still worked as a team just fine for at least a year now from my understanding, I don’t see any real reason to disband the squad.” She smiled. “Besides, I don’t feel like having Naruto in here screaming at me for disbanding his team after he finally got one of you to reach out to the other.”

Sakura ran to Tsunade and hugged her tightly. “Thank you so much.”

Tsunade grinned slightly at the show of affection towards her and wrapped an arm around her. “I just want to see you happy. If you would have told me sooner, this could have all been avoided.” She sighed before taking a step back out of the embrace. “You do realize, you’re like, middle aged in terms of shinobi life spans right?”

Sakura gave her an odd look. “I’m 20… That’s hardly middle aged.”

Shizune smiled. “So much optimism for someone who has already almost died during her time as a ninja many times. Some ninja aren’t so lucky as you to make it that far, Sakura.”

Sakura thought for a moment. Remembering Ino talking about a similar philosophy. “So, does this mean you’re not going to castrate my boyfriend?”

Kakashi shivered at the thought. “Hey, don’t go giving her ideas for if she changes her mind now!”

“Oh, so he’s your boyfriend now, huh?”

Sakura stiffened at the sound of a certain purple clad blonde’s voice.

Kakashi snickered softly. “Didn’t I tell you that your little not-so-made up rumour would be cleared up in due time?”

“Sakura, you didn’t even tell Ino?” Tsunade gasped, shocked.

“Ohhh, she tried not to.” She giggled. “But she’s far too obvious for it to have been believable. Asuma and I set a trap, granted it was before they had actually been together the plan had been made.”

“Since when was Asuma planning to try and get me with my teammate.” Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the blue eyed girl in the room.

“Since you made it more than clear you didn’t like other guys flirting with her.” Ino smirked and crossed her arms.

“Ah, so you know the whole story then.” Sakura mused.

Ino huffed. “Uh, no I don’t. I know what Asuma-sensei knows, which was that he took you home.”

Tsunade laughed at the red stain on Sakura’s cheeks. “It would appear that you are terribly obvious to those who were paying closer attention, Sakura.”

Sakura smiled and glanced back at Kakashi, seeing him watching her with such a loving expression in his eyes, even if she couldn’t see the full expression with his mask covering his face at this moment.

Ino watched them and just smiled happily for her friend.

“Okay, now get out of my office. I have work to do, you know.” Tsunade threw her hands up and made shoo-ing motions with her hands.

Sakura noted the sake careen on her master’s desk and sighed softly. She walked over and picked it up. “Okay, but it had better be work that doesn’t involve sake.” She looked at Tsunade sadly, thinking of more she wanted to say, debating if it was the right time.

“She’s right, Baa-chan.” Naruto spoke somberly, coming into the room. “Pervy-sage wouldn’t have wanted this…”

Kakashi assumed he had come back to make sure Tsunade hadn’t pulverized him but now the conversation was taking a turn he wasn’t expecting.

Shizune set a hand on Tsunade’s shoulder, as she was trying to fight the tears. No one had dared to bring him up, nor her drinking issue worsening, until now. She hated to see her pain.

“I know…” Tsunade grit past her teeth, choking down the sob. She turned to look at Sakura from the side, her body still facing her desk. “Don’t ever give up on love. And don’t you dare ever let it slip right through your fingers.” She gulped and faced her desk. “Now, all of you, out.”

They all quickly shuffled out of the office. Sakura closed the door softly behind her, before glancing at Shizune and handing her the sake careen.

It was almost unspoken knowledge that Tsunade loves Jiraiya. She never once said it, but everyone suspected it. And they knew he had loved her. All you had to do was look at the Icha Icha novels, and anyone who knew the Fifth, also knew that the main character was clearly made with her in his thoughts.

“That’s the closest she’s ever come to even alluding to being in love with him…” Shizune said softly.

Sakura nodded before reaching for Kakashi, intent on never leaving him. He found her hand, as he performed the signs for his transportation jutsu with his opposite hand. They appeared back at his apartment in seconds and he pinned her to the bed.

That was over and he was eager to make it clear to Sakura just how much he loved her, again. After the emotional torment of that conversation, he needed some kind of release. He didn’t regret it, but that didn’t mean it was easy or desirable.

“I hope you know that no one else has ever been worth ripping myself apart in front of not just one, but now three people in an effort to prove how I love you, no matter how hard I tried not to.” He whispered in her ear before nipping it harshly.

She murmured softly as he pinned her to the bed, and whined as he nipped her ear. She nodded, trying to shift her wrists within his palm that had them pinned to the mattress. “K-Kakashi…”

“I think we have something to finish from earlier, if my memory serves correctly.” He smirked before placing hot kisses against her neck.

She hummed as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Mm, I believe we do.” She pressed herself into him. “Now, if you would let me go so we could get to that.” She tilted her head back as he bit down on her neck and began to suck, causing shivers to run through her body. She whimpered softly, arching her back off the mattress. “Please…”

He pulled away from her neck and sat up slightly and smirked down at her. “And if I don’t?” He tightened his grip on her wrists. “Are you gonna use your chakra, hm? Beat me into next week?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “If you keep me from touching you for your own pleasure, I have other ways I could get my pay back, trust me.” She huffed.

“Oh, yeah?” He hummed softly, before deciding that might be for another time. “Maybe I’ll be daring enough to find out later.” He let her wrists go, before sliding her shirt off and kissing the valley between her breasts. “You didn’t put your wrappings back on?” He mumbled against her skin appreciatively before kissing up the side of her left breast and twirling his tongue around her hardening nipple.

Sakura moaned, still questioning how he made her feel so much pleasure with such little effort. “N-No…” She stammered.

He smirked before pulling away from her breast with an audible pop. He slid his hand down her body and delved his fingers past the hem of her shorts and past her lace panties. He rubbed her clit with two fingers in fast circles. She cried out in pleasure almost instantly.

He could feel how wet she already was and made him twitch against his own clothing. “So wet for me, already?” He chuckled before slipping a finger into her entrance, sliding it against her slickness with ease.

“K-Kakashi…” She moaned and squeezed her eyes shut, her hips bucking into his touch.

Every single time they had made love, he had catered to her every request and made sure she felt amazing. But he hasn't made any requests of his own. She wasn’t stupid and heard Ino talk about sex enough to know what men liked, and even little tips on how to make it feel extra good. “L-Let me pleasure you for once…”

“Hm…?” He looked down at her curiously. “Pleasuring you is pleasurable.”

She sat up, and slid her hand into his pants and past his boxers. She placed a kiss on his shoulder as she gripped his member and began to slide her hand up and down his length slowly. “But I want to please you, myself.” She whispered into his ear.

His breath hitched as soon as her hand began to move, before he groaned slightly. “S-Sakura…” He shut his eyes tight as she kept sliding her hand against him, gaining a little more confidence in her motions. He placed gentle kisses on her cheek before slowly pressing his hips down into her motions.

Sakura smirked and pushed him off her onto the bed, before getting her knees between his legs. She bit her lip as she looked up at him, with a dirty trick in her mind. “Yes, Sensei..?” She replied in a sultry tone.

His eyes went wide as he sat back to stare back at her as she shifted her weight more comfortably on her knees. He couldn’t quite pinpoint how he felt about that as she bit her lip and looked up at him from the floor, looking sexier than any other woman ever had before him on her knees. Even if it was sexy, he knew his carpet was less than inviting and pleasurable for her in it’s worn out state. He grabbed a pillow and playfully smacked her with it. “Here, use that to put it under your knees.” He said softly before lifting her chin and catching her eyes with his. “You don’t have to do this, you know…” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek.

She met his eyes, and her heart swelled at the love in them. She shifted and placed the pillow below her knees, before tugging his pants off and smiling. “I know.” She gripped his member once more, sliding her hand up and down a little faster this time. “But I want to.”

She began to rotate her wrist as she slid her fingers across his length, rubbing her free hand across his inner thigh and placing soft kisses on the exposed skin.

Kakashi leaned back on his elbows and watched her carefully, a moan escaping his lips as soon her lips met the skin of his thigh. He wasn’t sure how far she exactly planned to go, but he was going to welcome every bit of distance she decided she wanted to take. She looked rather hot in his opinion, being shirtless and pumping his length with a surprising amount of confidence.

She waited until his eyes slipped closed before she decided to flick her tongue over the tip, swirling around it the way she remembered Ino describing one time. Her cheeks tinted pink as she repeated the actions, making a mental note to thank Ino for the description she had been so reluctant to hear in the past.

Kakashi's eyes shot back open and he threw his head back with a loud moan as soon as he felt her tongue swipe across the tip of his manhood. His hand moved to grip her hair lightly. “Fuck, Sakura…”

“Mmm, you taste salty, Sensei…” She commented in an alluring tone. She slowly took him into her mouth then and sucked softly on only the very tip.

He moaned and gripped her hair tighter. “Damnit, I hate and love that you’re calling me that…” He had no idea where she got off to think to call him that. Some women had done it before after seeing the picture of his team and it had been a turn on, a sense of dominance, but it was different when it was actually his former student saying it now. The same feeling of dominance and submissiveness being a turn on, but also a little weird and unsettling when she had actually been his student once.

She snickered, before coming off him with an audible pop. “I remembered a scene from Icha Icha, and guessed you just might like it.” She licked her lips and took him back into her mouth, taking more of him between her lips, and bobbing her head a little bit.

Kakashi bit his lip and gently guided her up and down his length. “I had no idea that you…” He cut off the sentence as he moaned again at the feeling of her sucking. “Fuck, how are you so good at this already.” He panted.

She took more of him in her mouth, trying to keep the back of her throat open. She wrapped her hand around his base and began to pump the remaining part of his length in time with bobbing her head. The groan she heard from her lover as well the tightening grip in her hair confirmed that she was doing rather well. She moved her tongue around the muscle as she slid her lips along his shaft.

“Sakura…” He let himself fall completely back into the mattress, his breathing was ragged. He couldn’t believe she was doing this, he couldn’t have even imagined asking her to do this so soon. His eyes fluttered close as she picked up her pace. He felt her free hand resting beside his thigh on the bed, and he reached for it, grasping her fingers between his tightly.

She squeezed his hand back. Her jaw was starting to ache a bit, and she was beginning to realize why women have complained about this very action. She didn’t mind it much as she continued to suck and lick at his member, loving the moans that slipped freely from his mouth.

Suddenly the hand that had been guiding her with the tight grip in pink locks pulled her away as he sat back up and looked down at her, some his precum dripping down the side of her mouth.

“If you don’t stop, I’m going to lose it.” He breathed out. Sakura licked her lips before smirking and standing, hooking her fingers at the waistband of her shorts.

“Pretty good for my first time, then?” She bit her lip and looked at him, her eyes darkened with need.

He slipped his shirt off and pulled her into his lap as her shorts hit the ground. “Amazing.” He pecked her lips and slid his hands to grip her ass. He leaned into her to press a kiss to her temple before whispering huskily in her ear.“Now since you’re so hell bent on pleasing me today, ride my dick just as good as you just sucked it.”

Sakura’s face flamed red at his dirty phrasing, but nodded. “As you say, Sensei.” She braced herself on his shoulders, before slamming herself down onto him.

They both moaned at the contact, Kakashi’s grip on her ass tightening. “Again.” He commanded. She repeated her movements, and he thrust up into her with perfect timing this time.

“Kakashi!” She cried out, gripping his shoulders with immense strength.

He moved to grip her hips and guided her movement, slamming her down onto him once again. “What did you call me earlier, Sakura?” He spoke low in her ear. He had come to the conclusion he liked it when she said it, as dirty it was coming from her.

Sakura bit her lip, and looked into his eyes. “S-Sensei…” She moaned out.

He kissed her hard in approval and she kissed him back with the same urgency, thrusting her hips in time with his.

His mouth left hers to trail wet kisses down her neck as she dug her nails into his skin, forming new crescent marks that were scattered across his back along with various scratch marks left by her in their lovemaking.

She had always imagined Kakashi would be rough in bed, and demanding. She had been starting to think she was wrong as he had been mostly gentle until now, not doing more than having an iron grip on her hips and leaving the occasional hickey she’d heal before she went out in public. And now he was being just as demanding as she always figured he would, and it was turning her on so much.

“Sensei, you feel s-so good…” She moaned out between pants, sweat covering her body now.

He rolled over, pushing her onto the bed. “Fuck,” He panted, raising one leg over his shoulder and nipping at her calf, being able to thrust into even deeper at the new angle.

She bit her lip as pleasure wrecked through her body. “K-Kakashi, there!” She writhed on the bed, shivers running through her body from every nip on her leg. He slammed into her the same exact way again.

“God, you’re still so tight and soaking wet…” He moaned as he pulled back and slammed his hips right back into hers. “You’re sexy as fuck right now, Babe…”

Sakura could feel the heat pooling in her center as he kept talking to her. Who knew the white wolf would say such dirty things to someone as pure as herself, but she loved every word of it. Her hair was soaked with sweat now as he kept pounding into her, making her reach her peak. “S-Sensei…”

“That’s it, cum for me, Sakura.” He spoke low in her ear as he bent down, pressing her leg to stretch farther than she’d ever gotten it to before in warm ups. Her back arched off the bed as she cried out in ecstasy, her own result of such pleasure soaking Kakashi’s member. He slammed into her especially hard before biting down on her shoulder as he sunk himself to the hilt, releasing his own climax as he growled against her skin.

After a few moments of catching their breath, Kakashi moved his arm to let her leg fall back down alongside the other. He showered her face with light kisses before smiling down at her.

She slowly opened her eyes to meet his gaze and grinned. “That was phenomenal…” She breathed out between panting, still catching her breath.

Kakashi smirked before chuckling softly. “You look like an absolute goddess right now…” He brought a hand to stroke her cheek softly. “Stunning in all your sexed up glory.”

She swatted his hand away. “Oh yeah, I bet.” She couldn’t help the beaming smile that came across her lips. “You face Tsunade and she almost beats you to a pulp, and then you run right back into bed with me!” She laughed.

“Hey, every minute with you is worth whatever amount of chakra induced pain she would have ever given me.” He gave his signature eye crinkle, fully visible with a toothy smile and her heart melted. He brought a hand to smooth over her hair and move it out of her face. “I love you, and I always will.”

Sakura stared back at him before turning her face to place a quick kiss on his hand. “I love you, too.”

“I think it’s time that I take you dinner, on a proper date, my love.” He hoisted her up and walked her to the bathroom. “But first a shower is in session.”

Ino had just finished excitedly telling Choji about Sakura and Kakashi as she sat at the meeting spot, waiting for Asuma and Shikamaru to show up for a sparring session. She sat between his legs, her side leaning against his chest and her legs kicked over one of his own as she was looking up at him excitedly. “Can you believe it! I’m so happy for them!”

Choji smiled down at her as he played with the strands at the end of her ponytail. “After everything she’s been through, she deserves to be happy.”

“Kakashi too! He’s friends with the other jounin, especially Asuma and Genma, but he’s never let anyone get close after he had lost his team is what I’ve been told.”

Choji nodded. “My Dad was shocked to see he had passed Team 7 back then…” He kissed her forehead. “I guess everything happens for a reason, huh?”

Asuma had approached, raising an eyebrow at the scene before nudging Shikamaru and pointing, not quite close enough for the pair to notice their teammates just yet. “Looks like he got the girl afterall, doesn’t it?”

Shikamaru nodded. “I’ve always told him if he was just a little more confident, she would see him.” He smiled happily for his friends. “Hey, Choji, you got something to tell me?” He walked lazily towards his best friends.

Blue eyes looked towards Shikamaru and beamed. “Shika!” She stood up. “Actually, we both do!”

“It’s been such a drag watching him try to get your attention, glad to see you finally realized he loves you.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets.

She beamed as Choji kissed the top of her head, his cheeks tinting pink.

“Just don't let it make training awkward…” He scratched the back of his head.

Ino giggled mischievously before flipping her ponytail. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Asuma watched his teammates with pride, glad to see the tension between Ino and Shikamaru was gone. He was sure the genius was going to go insane if things hadn’t smoothed out soon.

“So, how is Temari?” Choji asked. “I know you just came back from ‘setting up the exams’.”

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. “Tsunade somehow had it arranged that there weren’t enough rooms set up for everyone, and of course Temari discreetly suggested I stay with her. It felt planned.” His cheeks had tinted a little pink at the mention of it.

“Oooooh, I guess that makes Team 10 fully deflowered then, huh?” Ino giggled.

Choji proceeded to turn red all the way down to his neck and Shikamaru sighed.

“Okay, now to start training.” Asuma took a fighting stance. “That’s enough talking and catching up, now all three of you versus me. Let’s see how your teamwork skills have survived the inner drama.”

Ino huffed and crossed her arms. “No inner drama would have ruined this formation.” She smirked as she took the lead in attacking Asuma first.

Naruto had leaped across rooftops from the hokage tower, back towards the gates. He landed on the edge, and looked out into the woods. He sighed softly.

“Wherever you are, Sasuke, she’s moved on. Odd how she is attracted to the ones that are traumatized. Is it because she’s medic? Is there some kind of pull in the universe?” Naruto shook his head. “No matter, at least Kakashi was willing to try…”

He stared out into the woods. “We will still find you and we will bring you home one day.”

He left down to the ground and walked back to his apartment where he knew Hinata was waiting for him. He weaved through the streets deep in thought. He was shocked to see that Granny Tsunade hadn’t noticed the bond between Sakura and Kakashi, and that she had been so angry by it at first. But from what he could tell, the same rumours that made it to her were much like what he had heard initially. She had gone home with Kakashi twice.The people of this village are so nosy, getting into people business when it doesn’t concern them. He leapt up to the balcony his apartment door was located on and entered his home.

Hinata was sitting on the couch, eating a bowl of his cup ramen as he walked into the living room. The site made him smile softly. “Hey, Hina…” He sat down next to her and she snuggled into his side.

“Naruto…” She smiled warmly. “Are you okay..?”

He nodded softly. “I’m just thinking about the future. As hokage, Tsunade was really in a tough spot as to how she reacted to Kakashi and Sakura’s relationship. I wonder if I’ll ever be in that position one day. If you don’t know the people personally, how do you make the right decision?”

Hinata studied him for a moment. “Did she disband your squad?”

Naruto took a deep intake of breath and shook his head. “No, but it had come up…”

“Well, that’s good!” She pecked his cheek. “Then why are you worried still? It’s not common for a former sensei and his student to fall in love, so I don’t think you’d have to make that decision.”

He nodded softly. “Right, but what about when team members fall for each other? Should they be separated into different squads?”

She felt his arm squeeze her slightly as he tucked her head under his chin. “I’m not sure. I don’t think it would really make a difference, do you?”

“It’s been said Obito had loved Rin, and chosen saving her over the mission they were on…” He smiled sadly. “Do you think Kakashi would make that choice with Sakura now? Or that he would still focus solely on the mission?”

Hinata shook her head. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Some of us would save regular comrades over completing a mission. And I think Kakashi’s stress for team bonding at the beginning shows his regret in the decisions he had made in the past.” She leaned her head against his chest. “I don’t think Kakashi would ever let anything happen to any of his friends, and especially not Sakura. Wasn’t that his fear, to get close to her and then have to deal with the pain of losing her?”

Naruto nodded softly. “You’re right…”

Hinata hummed softly, finishing her ramen. She thought more on the subject, remembering Kurenai saying that there should never be any regret in saving someone you care about. Hinata thought of times when she had been on missions and Kiba and Shino saved her when she was still weak. Her fight with Neji at the chunin exams, and how Naruto had been in such an outrage. When she had been attacked by Pain.

“If she would have disbanded the team, it still would have been worth getting them together and seeing them as happy as they are. It may be easier to see in Sakura, but it is with Kakashi too. When I found them in his apartment, the whole world seemed to be right, seeing them in each other’s arms. His mask was off from kissing her, and he looked so happy, smiling right at her….” Naruto smiled down at her.

“I’m sure they will be together for a long time.”

Naruto took the cup ramen from her hands and set it on his desk. “I hope we are too, Hinata…” He placed a soft peck on her lips, resting his hands on her hips.

She blushed but smiled warmly at him. “Me too, Naruto…” She stood up from the couch.

He grinned like an idiot before picking her up bridal style and carrying her to his room. “Let me show you just how much I love you, Hina…” He kissed her softly, setting her on his bed.

The Hyuuga girl became flustered but returned his kiss, bringing her hands to cup his face. “O-Okay, Naruto…”

Ino had drug Sakura back out to the bar that night. “Come on, you know Kakashi is waiting!”

“I don’t think this is what he meant by taking me on a proper date.” The pinkette grumbled to her best friend.

Ino shrugged. “It was Asuma’s idea for everyone to meet up at the Shuriken tonight.”

Sakura smiled. “You know, it isn’t any rumour that he found us. It was kind of funny actually.” She giggled. “He was walking into Kakashi’s room, saying ‘that Haruno girl has eyes for you’ just as he set his sights on us. He said something about Kurenai saying Kakashi needing a nudge.”

“Who knew that Asuma-sensei would have been such a matchmaker.” Ino said flippantly.

Sakura rolled her eyes. “Naruto was more the matchmaker here. Kakashi and I would have probably continued to pretend the night at the bar never happened if Naruto hadn’t overheard me crying and talked to us, and convinced me to tell him how I felt.”

Ino shrugged. “You never know.”

They rounded the corner of the bar towards the rest of their jounin colleagues, and Sakura found herself being pulled into Kakashi’s arms once again. He held her snug to his from, his fingers rubbing her hip once again.

“Look at that, Hatake has his little pinkette again.” Anko antagonized.

“Poor Anko, he’s off the market for you now.” Genma said sarcastically.

Sakura rolled her eyes at Genma’s antics. “As if he was on the market in the first place.”

“She’s got a point there.” The senbon user shrugged.

“So, Sakura, how’s the sex god for you? I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the very few nights he’s had have left women more than impressed. Did he pluck you of your innocence, hm?” Anko made a suggestive look towards the younger kunoichi.

Ino snickered as Sakura turned crimson and hid her face in Kakashi’s shoulder.

The blonde sat next to Asuma, a spot still open next to her for Choji. Their sensei turned in her direction. “He’ll be here soon, he’s ordering wings.”

Ino smiled softly as she crossed her legs. “So, tell me, how red did Sakura turn last time she was here?” The blonde smirked as she looked in her friend’s direction.

Genma smirked. “Oh, she was cherry red. And about just as cozy, the nervous aura about her is gone though.” His senbon bounced along with his speech.

Kakashi shrugged and kissed the top of her head.

“Oh, Kakashi, it’s so amazing to see you with the blessing of a youthful soul!” Guy gushed. “How romantic of a tale to tell one day! A jaded old ninja such as yourself falling for the cherry blossom of hope that is Sakura!” He brought a hand to chest, tears pricking in the corners of his eyes as he smiled. “Oh, if only Lee would be able to accept this loss of such a beautiful flower easily.”

Sakura and Kakashi stared at Guy at his dramatic display, both unsure of how to respond.

“I’m not that old.” Kakashi said plainly before shaking his head.

Ino raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, 34 is pushing it don’t you think?”

“Hey!” Asuma chided, having been in his late forties now. “Kakashi is younger than me, you can’t go calling him old, because I damn sure ain’t old yet!”

Ino was giggling now. “Asuma-sensei you’re like 48! That’s almost 50.”

“So what’s with blonde here, hm? Wanna come sit here with me?” The senbon user winked at Ino.

Asuma, forgetting completely about the age argument now, sent a subtle glare in his direction. “Genma, seriously?”

“Not a chance.” Ino crossed her arms. “I’m here with Choji.”

“Damn, no round two then, eh?” He teased.

Ino’s eye twitched slightly as she tinged pink.

“That’s exactly what she’s saying.” Choji said smoothly as he sat down next to Ino and handed her some fancy drink with an umbrella in it before he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Wait just a minute, since when did you have a fling with Genma!” Sakura whipped her head to face Ino.

Ino laughed nervously. “We will not be discussing that.”

“No, no we will not.” Asuma confirmed. “I don’t wanna be reminded.”

Choji laughed at their sensei’s clear dismay at the thought of his student being with one of his friends. He was well secure in knowing Ino would be faithful to him and wasn’t even slightly bothered. “Oh come on, Asuma sensei. How’s it any different than Kakashi and Sakura?” He grinned.

Ino tensed a bit at the comparison. It wasn’t even close. She had been in a henge, 16, and stupid. Not 20 and in love. She didn’t want to talk about it.

Genma was now regretting his teasing that had been meant as a joke as he noticed how tense Ino had gotten. “Actually, it was… Definitely different. I was just trying to kid around a little bit. Ino, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

Kakashi was slowly recalling the incident, remembering having to hold Asuma back from beating Genma to a pulp after he had mentioned he may have accidentally taken the young girl’s virginity.

“I’m clearly missing something here.” Sakura crossed her arms, feeling out of the loop.

Ino huffed before glancing at Sakura. “Remember how you used to give advice about going out in henges when we were younger…”

Sakura narrowed her eyes. “Oh, you mean the thing I said was irresponsible and even a little scary?”

Ino nodded and then glanced at Genma. “My virginity.”

Sakura's eyes widened. “But that was when we were…” Kakashi shook his head.

“Let’s not mention that last part, we all know.”

Kurenai giggled and smoothed her hand over Asuma’s arm. “It’s still kind of touchy for Asuma, he views his team as his kids…”

“I barely avoided that ass whipping, and really I have Kakashi to thank for coming to my defense.” Genma shrugged.

“You deserve one for bringing it back up in the first place.” Ino huffed and crossed her legs.

“Hmm, you never told me who it was that night.” Sakura snickered slightly. She wouldn’t voice it, but she remembered the very night Ino had come over to tell her all about that. Sakura had been embarrassed to hear about it. Ino had been slightly ashamed but also exclaimed that it had been amazing. She had a crush on Genma back then and it had been the sole purpose of going out in the henge in the first place, but she never knew it had actually been him Ino had bedded with that night. Now it just seemed odd with Choji here with Ino, her no longer looking for a one night fling. She watched her with Choji now, her form fitting right into his side much like she did with Kakashi. “I’ve got a killer right hook if it’s ever necessary.”

“Oh yeah, said the damsel in distress that came rushing over here about a month ago from an insistent creep.” Genma drawled out.

“H-Hey, I can’t go chakra punching civilians!”

“Or maybe she just knew Kakashi would come to her rescue.” Anko drawled.

“I didn’t even know he was here until I came around the corner!” Sakura pouted.

Kakashi just chuckled and brought his hand up to her face to brush hair out of her eyes. “Regardless, if he had laid a finger on you that night, I wouldn’t have given a damn about him being a civilian. Neither should you when you’re about to be assaulted. Granted you could barely walk 10 minutes later, your chakra control was probably already affected by then.”

“For being around Tsunade so much, you’d think she would handle her liquor better…” Kurenai mused.

Sakura huffed indignantly. “No thanks…”

Kakashi discreetly kissed her cheek, before whispering in her ear. “Shame, you were an awful cute drunk.”

Despite her embarrassment, Sakura smiled, glad to have a night out with friends, and to be with someone herself instead of third wheeling with Ino.

“So, how is that root kid working out on team 7?”

“Oh, Sai? Naruto and him get along great now.” Sakura giggled. “But he is still amused by antagonizing Naruto from time to time.”

“It can be quite amusing sometimes.” Kakashi concurred.

They spent the rest of the night talking and drinking, getting to know Sakura, Ino, and Choji more. She laughed and blushed and answered most of their questions, but started to feel like she was being watched. She scanned the room around her multiple times throughout the night, not able to spot any suspicious looking people. She vaguely whispered to Kakashi and his arm tightened around her protectively.

“You know, one day, this corner will be filled with you three and your friends. And it’ll just be old Kakashi at Sakura’s side, all wrinkly eyed!” Guy proclaimed.

Anko looked at Guy with a dead stare. “You do realize besides Asuma, we’re all withing four years of each other, right Guy?”

Sakura, not really hearing the current conversation, noticed Ino scanning the room as well, a frown on her face. “Does anyone else just feel… Like someone is watching?” The blonde asked softly, timidly.

Sakura nodded. “It’s like…” She frowned as she scanned the room for the fiftieth time that night. “It’s just an unsettling feeling like there’s some lurker or something.”

Anko and Kurenai shook their heads before their eyes narrowed. “I don’t feel watched.” Kurenai said slowly.

Asuma frowned. “Maybe we should call it night.”

Kakashi nodded and stood up, keeping an arm around Sakura. “Choji, you shouldn’t leave Ino alone tonight…”

The younger male just nodded, worried about why the two girls felt some presence that no one else seemed to pick up on. It wasn’t like he hadn’t spent a couple nights at her house already.

Everyone left in groups, keeping an eye out for anything or anyone unusual in the village.

Sakura went back to his house. She changed into one of his shirts again and laid in his bed. He soon followed after having stripped down to his pants. He laid behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close and tight to him. She still felt watched as she laid in Kakashi’s arms.

“Something isn’t right…” She mumbled softly, turning around and burying her face into the crook of his neck.

“You’re safe with me, don’t worry.” He just held her tight. “Just get some sleep, I won’t let anything happen to you, you know that.” He kissed the top of her head before he closed his eyes, even though he could already tell he wouldn’t be sleeping much if at all.

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