DISCLAIMER: Naruto is not my original creation.

You left when I told you I was curious,
I never said that I was brave.

_____________________________________________________________________________

4 years ago:

He watched the ceremony from the balcony.

Teachers, sponsors and fellow participants all had the same designated area. This allowed a full view of the stadium below. Naruto had entered the stadium after Sakura, and Kakashi thought of how pleased he was at his previous student's progress. Sakura had showed outstanding strength and manipulation of chakra and she also could not be fooled by her competitor's use of genjutsu.

Naruto had beaten down his opponent, while the audience had responded in awe. Their gasps at his perseverance and unlimited chakra supply had wowed the whole tournament. Kakashi was not altogether surprised, already aware of Naruto's talents, he only hoped that Naruto was cautious in his actions, not that the hotheaded teen would listen.

Sai also competed, and narrowly passed, his sand-nin competitor almost besting him. He watched them now as he ascended the spiral staircase to the grounds to congratulate them. All three sat with fellow teammates, looking bruised and their clothes torn, their laughter shaky. Naruto saw him and stood, but instantly regretted his actions as he fell forward onto the dirt ground. Sakura was beside him instantly helping him sit against the wall, "Be careful, you dummy! You should be in hospital right now!"

Kakashi chuckled lightly at Naruto, "Well, well, Naruto-kun, what a show that was. You did well. Congratulation on becoming Chuunin."

Naruto blushed at the praise, his face brimming with pride.

He turned to leave before suddenly turning back and looking from Sai to Sakura, "You guys too."

Sai smirked.

Sakura had smiled in return, but he had already turned back around and started off.

**

Present:

The rustic inn they had stopped at for the night was lively with travelers and locals alike. The local festival had provided a shared atmosphere and holiday for the locals, and tourists were coming from places all over to join. Tenzou, who had been named: Yamato by Konoha's current Hokage, did well to ignore the crowded atmosphere and looked down to his plate of food. He'd have much preferred the calm of the woods for their camp, but Naruto and Sakura had thrown a nasty look in his direction when he had made that suggestion.

Sakura's voice took on a high note presently cutting into his thoughts, and he looked over to her. Naruto and Sakura sat across from Sai and himself. Her face was pink in response to whatever it was that Naruto had said to her, and he was now covering his head with his arms in mock defense.

They were close.

Yamato saw them walking together constantly down the streets of Konoha. In battle it was her name he cried out in fear, and the tears she shed were constantly over him whenever she saw him fall.

And then there was their playful banter. On and on they went. He glanced at the quiet Sai, he also joined their fun often and although he was included, and Sakura continued to pressure Sai into calling her beautiful, it was not a relationship even he could come between.

He lifted his mug, its hot contents seeping into his fingertips, and quietly sipped. Yes, he was sure she was in love with Naruto.

Yamato's expression was hooded as he pondered this and raising his eyes he saw that Sakura had been watching him. She smiled slightly then turned away.

All three were approximately 20 years old now. Hardly the young ninja he had first met years back. Yamato had to admit it was because they had been Kakashi-sempai's team that he'd taken to the idea, and it was also Tsunade-sama who had requested him to take over as team leader for Kakashi-sempai.

Yamato owed Kakashi a great deal, but lately he'd started to feel a little taken for granted. Kakashi had shifted everything on Yamato that had to do with team 7. It was almost four years ago that Kakashi-sempai had even been on a mission with all three. Let alone Naruto and Sakura, whom he had a long sustaining relationship with.

Coming back to the present he noticed the seat opposite was empty. He turned to Sai who was standing, "I'm turning in for the night."

Yamato nodded, "good idea. Lets get an early start back tomorrow. Beat the crowd."

Sai nodded before disappearing into the bustle of people to find the stairs. Goodness knows where Naruto and Sakura were.

Yamoto sighed and moved from the table to get some air outside. The smoke from the random individuals who had rolled tobacco was clouding the room, and he could no longer pretend it didn't bother him.

He walked some yards out, until the sound of the busy Inn had muted somewhat and now sat restfully on a solitary log. There were a few lone figures wandering the trees and sitting on benches, no doubt having a tryst or sobering up.

He closed his eyes and let the night chill touch his warm cheeks. The glass of sake he had drunk was not a good idea, especially since his tolerance was not so high. His head was clearing now. He looked again at the figures sitting on the bench and frowned, There is Naruto..?

He's with someone! A lady I've never seen before..! what are they..!

He could see Naruto was blushing madly as he was pulling his shirt over his head to allow the unknown lady's hand to roam-

"Yamato-san?"

He turned sharply at the voice of Sakura, "Ah. Evening, Sakura-chan."

"May I sit?"
He peered at the shadowy couple, praying they didn't make too much noise, "Of course..."

They sat in silence for a while and his heart hammered wildly at the thought of Sakura discovering Naruto's infidelity and he stood abruptly, positioning himself in her sight.

"Come, Sakura. It's late. Let's go to bed."

She raised a pastel eyebrow, and Yamato inwardly cursed.

"That was not a proposition, of course."

Sakura kicked her legs back and forth, "I'm not tired."

Yamato shifted uneasily on his feet, "Hm! Lets go for a walk then?"

Sakura beamed at the invitation, "Yes!"

She stood, and to make sure she made haste, Yamato took her arm and steered her out of site. If she thought he was acting strange she kept quiet. They passed trees and trees, the moonlight disappeared from the sky and was now hiding.

Now that Yamato had her away and out danger, he was unsure of what to do next.

Sakura looked at Yamato, his calm face showed a small crease between his brows. His usual lax self was slightly bent over as his hand reached up to his face to stroke his chin.

"Is everything okay?"

Sakura was standing before Yamato, and he looked at her passively, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

"Yes, Sakura-chan, nothing you need to worry about... Aren't the trees calm this evening."

She smiled at his unusual small talk, "I suppose so."

He thought it best to take her through the woods and come out behind the Inn. He turned and waved her over, "This way."

But Sakura didn't follow and he turned toward her raising his eyebrows in question.

Sakura looked at the ground, "Lets stay here for awhile. I'm not sure Naruto is done fooling around, and Sai is already asleep. I'm not ready for bed yet, either."

Yamato was surprised. So she new what Naruto was up to. How upsetting it must be for her! He walked back over to her, and crouched down in front to lift her chin up with his hand, she was not crying like he had expected. Instead she looked at him with curiosity and faint surprise.

"Yamato-san?"

He frowned sympathetically, and began softly, "Sakura-chan. Boys can do some stupid things sometimes…"

She frowned slightly, "I know…"

"…and you must know Naruto is just a boy too. Well he's a man now, but not the most mature man-"

Sakura's eyebrow shot upward. What was he talking about!

"-don't think that he doesn't care about you because I'm sure he does, and perhaps if you let your own feelings be known-"

He was cut off by Sakura's giggles, which then burst forth into laughter.

"AH! Yamato-san! Please, please stop! Just wait 'til I tell Naruto about this. Oh no! This is too funny!"

It was Yamato's turn to frown.

Sakura looked back at him, "I'm sorry. I know you were trying to comfort me, but you are mistaken about Naruto and I. We don't have that sort of relationship!"

Sakura's head bumped into his chest as she leaned forward laughing, "Yamato-san!"

Her hands were curled in his vest, and Yamato looked down at the girls pink head, her shoulders jumping with laughter.

"Ahh, Yamato-san, that's so funny! I wondered why you led me out here."

He let the annoyance he was starting to feel show on his face.

"I only wanted to shield you from anything that might have been hurtful."

"I've never thought of confessing to Naruto!

Not since…"

Sakura stopped laughing and the smile slid from her face. Whatever she was about to say, she had caught herself in time.

He was silent through her laughter, and now he had to admit to a slight feeling of embarrassment.

She looked at Yamato and searched his face before leaning forward and pressing her lips against his. She let them linger a moment or two before pulling back. He had stiffened in surprise, and his dark eyes were wide with shock.

She left him there, after a soft "thank you."

**

Kakashi saw them heading in his direction but it was too late to turn around. There were no convenient side streets around, or parks to cut through. He also noted that he'd been spotted as Naruto was waving boldly. Tenzou smiled a greeting, Sai was placid and Sakura smiled tightly, though her eyes focused past him.

Definitely too late. He smiled politely behind his mask, his visible eye creasing in effect.

"Yo. Just get back?"

Naruto piped up first, "Nah! we've been back a couple of hours now. We were just leaving Ichiraku. Uwah! But sensei, you'll never guess what we saw crossing-"

Kakashi listened patiently for a while, before pulling out his orange book. It got the desired effect. Naruto instantly rolled his eyes, and they knew they had lost him.

Kakashi's eyes slid to Sakura's, she'd been watching him, but now she instantly turned away, a blush mounting her cheeks.

Kakashi noticed Tenzou was speaking, "Hn?"

He had detached himself from the team and walked forward to stand close to Kakashi, "I said lets have drinks tonight, sempai. There's something I wish to discuss with you."

"What is it."

Yamato glanced back at team 7, "It's a private matter."

Kakashi was indeed curious, they met up casually and he would fill Kakashi in on teams 7's progress. "Fine then.."

He saw Tenzou sigh. "It will good to get some advice, Kakashi-sempai. And who better then you."

Kakashi raised his eyebrows at this, but made no comment. Tenzou would explain tonight he was sure.

He waved a goodbye and strode past. When they had walked a distance he stopped and watched, lingering to see if the pink haired girl would look over her shoulder at him. She did, and he abruptly turned and continued on. Both pleased and extremely disturbed.

There was no way he would let a repeat of what happened four years ago happen gain. He felt the familiar guilt twist in his stomach, after all these years he still couldn't forgive himself.

He was looking forward to this drink now.

**

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