AN: This is a story collaboration with the very talented Mateba. She is taking some time off. I'm writing from the great outline she gave me. I'm honored to be able to bring the rest of it to life and I hope I do it justice. I'm really excited about this project. :D

I'm starting from Chapter 5. The first part of the story she has written and posted. I had to write out the link like this since it won't show up properly otherwise. :(

www dot fanfiction dot net forwardslash u forwardslash 1388687 forwardslash

CHAPTER 5

Kakashi was out of bed as the sun peaked over the treetops bathing Konoha in its morning rays. He took a quick shower and dress in his jounin uniform. He was going to get some answers from the Hokage today. He had been denied his chance at happiness for what she had led him to believe it was for the village. It was somewhat bearable knowing that Sakura wasn't meant for any man. It was her duty to remain single, no strings attached, to serve Konoha to her utmost ability. It was his duty to marry Sayeni, help bond their two villages in family ties. Last night, his sacrifice became in vain. The sight of Tenzou and Sakura together still sent his blood boiling in anger.

"Mmmm" Sayeni stretched in her sleep searching for him. Her leg wrapped around the duvet exposing her shapely figure.

Any man would thank their lucky stars for being married to this gorgeous woman. She deserved better than to be stuck in a marriage with a man whom was in love with another. He felt the tinge of guilt at having to use his sharingan on her again last night. It was the only solution he had come up with to make her think they had made love. He couldn't bring himself to make love to any other woman other than Sakura.

He sighed at the frustrating circumstances he found himself in before closing the front door and heading to the Hokage Tower.

xxxxx

Sakura made her way to the memorial stone. Kakashi was bound to be there like he was every morning. It was the perfect place to talk to him. They would be alone. No one visited the cenotaph so early, which, as she knew, was one of the reasons he liked to go at that time. He wanted to remember in solitude and peace. Usually she wouldn't have dreamed of disturbing him at the stone but things had changed. He didn't have any qualms about disturbing her date or pretty much breaking and entering her apartment. Why should she respect his privacy?

She reached the small clearing where the memorial stood but Kakashi wasn't there. It really shouldn't have surprised her. He was probably sleeping in with his lovely wife. Even better, she probably had made him a delicious breakfast. That's what good wives did, wasn't it?

After half an hour of rehearsing what she would say to him, she had enough of waiting. "Typical!" She exclaimed in exasperation.

One of the main medics had been sent on a mission and Sakura had agreed to take his shift in the hospital. She would find Kakashi after she got off work. He wouldn't escape so easily.

xxxxx

Sayeni walked along busy sidewalks of the still unfamiliar village that was her new home. From dinner the night before she knew Sakura was a medic that worked in the hospital. She figured the hospital was a better meeting place than to go to the kunoichi's home. A neutral site was needed for the discussion she planned.

Sayeni wasn't in love with Kakashi Hatake but she was committed to this marriage. Her family's honor and future depended on their union. She had accepted the proposal to marry the famous Copy Ninja, not only because it meant joining two prominent shinobi families and forming an strong alliance between the Land of Lightening and the Land of Fire, but because he was handsome and a good man. Kakashi would make it easy to fall in love with him if he would let her in. She wasn't accustomed to men not even sparing one look at her. He was nice enough but he was distantce and cold. Back home she knew she was attractive, Kakashi's indifference was making her second guess herself, a. A feeling she detested. Her family had taught her to carry herself with pride and self-assurance as it was fitting for someone of her status.

In the Lightening Country her family was held with high regard since some of the best shinobi came from her clan. Her father had been a great warrior and his three sons, Sayeni's brothers, had become heroes and the apples of their father's eyes. Sayeni never exhibited the same level of talent as a kunoichi as her brothers did as shinobi. It never bothered her though. She knew her role in the family was to continue the bloodline. Especially after her brothers were killed by the Akatsuki. She promised her father that as the last heir, she would guarantee the linage wouldn't die out. She was determined not to let her family down and that was why she would speak to Sakura. Make the pink hair medic understand that her marriage to Kakashi could not fail.

xxxxx

Sakura's glowing hands passed over the young chuunin's wounds effortless healing them. He was one of the many patients she had attended to since she arrived at the hospital from the failing to find Kakashi at the memorial stone. She was finishing up when there was a knock on the door to the hospital room.

"One minute, please." She hated being interrupted in the middle of being with a patient. She turned to the young man and smiled warmly at him, patting his shoulder. "You rest and you'll be back with your team in no time."

She walked out of the room to find one of the nurses from the downstairs information desk there. "Yes?"

"There is a woman downstairs asking to see you, Sakura-san." The nurse informed her.

"Who is she?" Sakura asked perplexed at who would be looking for her.

"She says she is Hatake-san's wife." The nurse turned to leave. "She says she'll wait if you are busy until you have a free moment."

She couldn't think of why Sayeni was there to see her. Maybe she came for a check up. Why ask for Sakura by name? So what if Kakashi knew about her feelings for him? He wasn't going to share that information with his new wife, right? That was simply asking for trouble, e. Especially if he wanted to keep her friendship the way it had been.

Sakura stepped off the elevator onto the main floor of the hospital. Sayeni was standing looking out the large glass walls. Taking a deep breath she approached her.

"Hi." She greeted her.

"Hello." Sayeni turned from the glass to face the pink haired woman.

"They told me you wanted to see me." Sakura stated. She tried to make her tone friendly. She didn't have anything against this woman personally. It wasn't her fault she had married the man Sakura had stupidly fallen in love with. "What can I do for you?"

"Is there somewhere we could speak privately?" Sayeni asked looking around at the medics and patients bustling around.

"Um…yes," Sakura answered warily. This didn't bode well. "My office is just down the hall."

They entered the small closet like office. Sakura pushed some files out of a chair for Sayeni.

"I've never been one to beat around the bush so I'm going to be frank with you." Sayeni sat in the chair she was offered, folding one leg over the other. "What are your exact feelings for my husband?"

"My…feelings…for Kakashi?!" She stammered at the abruptness of the question. She had assumed Sayeni to be like Hinata. Both raised in prestigious families, groomed to be formal and demure. The woman sitting across from her was obvious nothing like her soft spoken friend.

"Yes, your feelings for Kakashi." She repeated calmly. This was something Sayeni had picked up from her father. He remained calm and collected during any negotiation no matter how tense or important it was. "I am not naïve. I fully understand that my marriage is not based on love. It was arranged for the good of our villages and our families. Nevertheless, I'm committed to making it a successful union. You and my husband appear to have a special bond. I would like to know what is the nature of your relationship."

"Kakashi and I have never been more than teammates and friends." Sakura said after getting over the initial shock of being asked about her feelings for Kakashi by none other than his wife. What she had just said was completely true. She had never acted on her feelings, thinking he wasn't that type. It hurt to be reminded she had been wrong. Looking at Sayeni, she knew that statement would never become a lie either. Even if Sayeni had never come to speak with her it still would hold true. Sakura's honor and integrity wouldn't allow her to be the other woman. "I understand you don't know me very well, so let me tell you. I am not, nor will ever be, someone who comes between a husband and wife."

"Thank you. Sakura." Sayeni smiled warmly for the first time during their meeting. "I really appreciated you being so honest with me. I'm sorry if I offended you. I just needed to be sure. I hope you can comprehend my position and forgive me." She rose and extended her hand to Sakura.

"Yes, I can." She stood up and shook Sayeni's hand.

Sayeni left the office, feeling light as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

xxxxx

The door to the Hokage's door flew open. The Copy Ninja waltzed in, ignoring the raven-haired woman chasing him. The Godaime turned around from the window to see the two barging into her office.

"I'm sorry Lady Tsunade. Kakashi insisted on coming in." Shizune gasped.

"It's important." Kakashi proclaimed.

Tsunade nodded her head. "It's ok. Shizune please leave us." She took her seat behind the large desk.

Kakashi rushed over slamming his palms on the desk. "Why is Tenzou taking Sakura out on a date?"

She sighed, "He came and told me his intentions for her."

"You told me that I wasn't allowed to pursue her." His temper getting the better of him. "He can date her but I couldn't?"

"Kakashi, calm down." He sat down, wanting answers he composed himself. "When he told me he was interested in Sakura, I gave told him it was impossible, giving him the same reason I gave you…"

"Then why are they having a romantic dinner together?" he interrupted.

"Let me finish." Her tone was warning. "Tenzou got upset, informing me that Sakura was an independent woman and should be able to decide which direction her personal life would take."

"He is right." He mumbled under his breath. The Hokage gave him a cautionary stare. She wouldn't take any more interruptions.

"As his direct boss, I officially ordered him not to go near Sakura. That's when he did something utterly unexpected. He resigned." She shook her head still in disbelief. "I told him what that meant. He would lose everything he had worked for his entire life. I asked him if it was it worth it just for a chance to date her. She may very well reject him. He said he was aware of all that but Sakura was worth it and more." Her eyes softened and she leaned on her elbows. "After that I gave him permission to date her and remain in ANBU."

"What?!" Kakashi's fury was uncontainable. "You didn't give me that choice. I would have quit too if given the choice." He gritted his teeth in fury, knowing that what he longed for had been within grasp and it slipped through his fingers.

Tsunade swirled her chair back towards the window and sadly told him. "There is always a choice, Kakashi."

Kakashi look at Tsunade in disbelief and then stormed out, determined to make things right. His whole life he had put Konoha first. Not anymore, he would put himself ahead of Konoha.

xxxxx

Sakura signed the last patient of the day's chart. It had been a long day with her mind buzzing with thoughts of Kakashi and then of her conversation with Sayeni. She was glad it was over. She could go home soak in a warm bath and try to forget everything for a few hours at least.

Originally she planned to go find Kakashi and set some things straight. A after Sayeni came to see her, she decided it would be best to stay as far away from him as possible. It wouldn't be too hard to do since they were no longer on the same team and he hated hospitals. There was zero chance of them bumping into each other. The only place would be the Hokage Tower. She would just have to keep an eye out when she was there.

It was dusk outside. The gentle breeze blew the leaves off the trees and swirled them down the street. Sakura made her way to her apartment, absorbed in her thoughts. No matter how desperately she tried to shut off her mind she couldn't. Mental snapshots of Kakashi laughing as she lost her temper once again at Naruto, of him ruffling her hair, then of him standing at the altar with a woman that wasn't her.

No! She couldn't think of those memories. The moment he had said "I do" he was lost to her. He and Sayeni would have a happy life together. And she would move on with Tenzou.

Sakura opened the door to her apartment. Throwing her purse onto the dining table, she switched on the lights. She froze.

Sitting on her sofa was Kakashi. His arm draped over the armrest. He had been there for some time waiting for her. This was not a good start to her promise of keeping away from him. She would change the locks first thing in the morning; maybe get an alarm system too.

"What are you doing here?" She asked sharply.

"There are things I have to say to you." He stood up slowly.

"Unless one of those things is an apology for ruining my date, I don't want to hear anything." She barked. He walked towards her, his eyes locked on hers. His eyes shone like deep pools filled to the brim with intense emotion, it frightened her. She stepped back as he took a step forward.

"Get out." She turned her back on him, going to the kitchen, b. But he cut her off.

"I'm not going until I tell you what I came to say." He stretched his arm out blocking the archway into the kitchen.

"I said I don't…"

"I love you, Sakura." He blurted out. "I have for a long time now."

Her eyes widened with shock at his revelation. "You married someone else!" She accursed him. She had dreamed of hearing those words so many times. But not like this, not now that he was a married man. Why did he decided to lay this on her now? Her heart raced with the resentment.

"I didn't want to marry Sayeni. I had to." His voice was urgent. He had to make her see. "The Hokage told me that you and I could never be. The council and her forbade it. I thought I could handle it, if you were in my life even if it was just as friends. Just being able to see you would have been enough. I was so stupid. I realize now that friendship isn't enough. I want to be with you."

"It's too late." She fought back the wave of angry tears stinging her eyes.

"It's not too late. We can make things right between us. All you have to say is that you love me too." His eyes searched the jade-colored eyes hoping to see a glimmer of love.

"Our feelings are irrelevant now. You vowed to love and honor Sayeni. I won't be your mistress, the one that makes you breaks that oath." The hot tears rolled down her cheeks and she wiped them away angrily with her hands.

"Sakura…" He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. He leaned his face to kiss her but she pushed him away fiercely. "Please don't push me away."

"Leave." She yells whispered trying to loosen his arms from around her waist.

"We love each other." He had seen it in her eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up. In spite of, the convoluted mess they were in, his heart was bursting with bliss. She loved him.

"I never said I loved you." She cried, pushing hard against his chest with her fists.

"I saw it in your eyes. You can't deny it." He held her tighter.

"It doesn't matter now. You are married!" She struggled relentlessly. "Kami help me, I'll use my chakra."

"We can find a way, Sakura. Love always does." He pleaded with her.

She pushed hard with chakra and hands. He was forced back, letting go of her.

"There is no way." She breathed. "You are a married man now, Kakashi. Regardless of what you feel or what I thought I felt, the truth is that you belong to someone else now. And I will never be the other woman Kakashi. Love has no way in this situation." She looked at him with anger and sadness mixed in her eyes. "We can't go back, and I can't be responsible for breaking a marriage. Just…just leave," she said turning from him. Her arms wrapped around her waist. "Go home to your wife, Kakashi."

"Sakura…" he begged.

"Please leave already! Don't you know how much you are hurting me?!"

That sentence sent a bolt of lightening through his body, breaking his heart. He was causing her pain and all she wanted was for him to be gone. He walked out silently. He wanted to stay, to grab her and force a kiss on her so that she could feel how much he loved her. But she was right. If he stayed, he would be asking her to be something she didn't deserve to be. She was too good to just be a mistress. He looked over his shoulder one more time, defeated, before he closed the door behind him.

The door closed with the sound of a small click signaling his departure was all that she needed to hear. Sakura fell to her knees and wept into her hands.