Hi! Welcome!
Okay, now that that's over, let's get down to business.
(To defeat the huns!)
This is a Sakura/Kakashi fanfic. The story itself is divided into three arcs.
This arc will focus on Kakashi and Sakura's relationship and their life in general.
Here's some background.
Kakashi is 33 and Sakura is 20. This story takes place four years after the invasion of Pein.
Kakashi and Sakura are now ANBU teammates.
Yes, there is a 13 year age gap. Don't like it, don't read.
But for those supporters of Kaka/Saku then I hope you enjoy!
Btw, I don't own anything, save for my plot.
..00..
Practically flying over the tree branches, Kakashi hauled his pink haired teammate to the safety their village offered.
They were close, he knew, maybe fifteen more minutes before they would be at the gates. He was hoping his teammate didn't wake before then.
A disoriented Sakura wasn't something he wanted to deal with it mid air.
Letting his mind drift to the mission that they currently were on he thought about how close they both had come to death.
Again.
It wasn't the first time the two person ANBU team and been in some close calls, but none shook him up quite like this one. Usually it was him that was the injured one, and Sakura the one to patch him up. He preferred it that way. That was why he usually was the one to metaphorically dive in head first – he knew she could heal him, whereas he only knew basic first aid.
But this time the man that they were targeting had a hidden poisoned kunai that neither one of them knew of.
And Sakura was the one that found out the hard way.
Shaking his head to clear his mind of the unwanted memory, he let himself concentrate on getting back to Konoha has quickly as he could. The sooner he got Sakura to Tsunade the better.
She had done a pretty good job of cleansing her own body of the poison, but before she could finish she had passed out. Most likely due to the open wound that the kunai had caused.
Within the next few minutes the gates that lead into the village came into his view.
Thank Kami.
Thankfully the two chunin that were on guard duty at the time recognized their uniforms and quickly stood aside and let him pass.
He didn't stop running until he arrived at the hospital.
It was then, and only then, that he allowed the medic on duty to remove Sakura from his arms and carry her away.
It was only then that sank to the ground by a wall and held his head in his hands.
He has almost lost her today. Almost lost the one person he trusted completely.
He wasn't sure how to deal with that knowledge.
Sighing, he raised his head out of his hands and looked around. It seemed everyone had vanished as soon as he burst through the doors.
Not that it was surprising. Sakura worked at the hospital during her free time away from missions so everyone recognized her pink hair from above her mask.
Thinking about it, he had yet to remove his.
Gently reaching behind his head he untied the strap that held the mask in place and slid it off his face.
Looking at the porcelain item in his hands he let his mind wonder.
ANBU. The best of the best. Elite of the elite.
He had joined back up with the group four years ago, going on solo missions until Sakura joined the group as well one year later.
She had been his only teammate since then.
Not that it was shocking. She was the only one he trusted to have his back, only one who understood the reason he went back to the organization. She was the only one who pushed herself like he did, going on mission after mission.
And this was the first time in three years that she had ended up being carried back to their village unconscious. He wasn't completely sure how to feel about it.
He had to believe she would be okay.
She had to be okay.
..00..
She hurt.
Hurt more than she ever remembered hurting.
Opening her eyes slowly she blinked a couple of times to clear her vision.
So she was in a hospital room. She must have passed out before she could finish healing herself.
Sighing, she turned her head on her pillow and looked out the window to her left.
Nighttime. I must have been out for hours then.
Closing her eyes once again she let her mind remember what had happened that morning.
Poisoned kunai. The guy they were after got in a lucky shot. That explains why her side hurt like hell.
Sighing, she opened her eyes once more. It was then she noticed a rather tall man asleep in the chair on her right.
He still had on the tight, black ANBU uniform, meaning that he hadn't left the hospital.
Laughing slightly to herself, she realized that his silver hair was even more unruly than normal.
She herself had been changed into a standard hospital gown. Reaching up her hand she felt her hair.
Yep, just as unruly as Kakashi's.
Sighing once again, she wished she had a brush. If there was one thing she couldn't stand, it was messy tangled hair.
Hearing the door open, Sakura put her hand back down by her side and looked to see who was coming into the room.
"Well, looks like you're finally up" came the voice of her former teacher and Hokage, Tsunade.
"Hai. How long was I out for?"
"Kakashi brought you in a little after ten this morning, so about thirteen hours." Glancing at the sleeping man in the chair, Tsunade added, "He hasn't left since he brought you in. I have to say, I've never seen the man look so worried before."
Feeling a blush creep up on her face, she responded, "I'm sure he's had fun sleeping in a chair."
Laughing slightly, the older woman agreed. "Guess it's time to wake him. I have something I need to tell you both anyways."
Walking over to the chair, she kicked it.
Kakashi sat up as if his life depended on it.
Tsunade burst out laughing. Kakashi didn't seem nearly as pleased.
Sakura chuckled before asking, "Shishou, what was it that you needed to tell us?"
"Oh, yes, that." She glanced at Sakura, before settling her gaze on Kakashi.
"You both are hereby placed on mandatory vacation. No, no buts Kakashi. And Sakura, don't look at me like that. You've both been doing mission after mission since Sakura became ANBU. That's a long time to go without a break. It'll do you both some good to have some down time. No, don't even start Kakashi; I want you both to take some time to yourselves. Catch up with some old friends. Hell, Kakashi, even read those perverted books you seem to like so well. Yes, Sakura, I am telling him that. I don't even want to see you at the ANBU headquarters for two months."
"Two months! But-" Sakura was once again cut off.
"Yes, two months. We'll see if you both are ready to be sent on more missions after that. I'm doing this for your well being. I don't want two of my best ninja to be killed because they are overworked."
Turning around and heading for the door, she paused before she opened it, her hand on the handle.
"Please, both of you, rest. Sakura, you can go home tonight if you wish. All I ask is that Kakashi stay with you just in case you need help." With that, she opened the door and walked out of the room.
..00..
It was after midnight before the duo made it to Sakura's apartment. It was a cool fall night and it felt good to Kakashi's overheated skin. They had stopped by his apartment so he could get clothes to sleep in and to change into the next day. Sakura had, of course, tried to talk him out of staying with her. Saying she was fine and that he should have to stay away from his own bed. But of course he didn't listen to any of it. He had almost lost her that morning, and he wasn't in any hurry to part from her. In fact, Tsunade's order had given him a perfect excuse to stay close to Sakura.
So, Sakura had finally realized he wasn't listening to her and gave up trying to convince him.
He had gone in the bathroom to change while Sakura got ready for bed in her room.
Slowly peeling off the skin tight clothing he breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing felt better than taking off that uniform after a long day and replacing it with loose clothing. And his face, ah, it felt so good to finally be mask less.
Splashing some water on his face and running his hands through his hair in an attempt to tame it, he then picked up his discarded clothing and walked out of the bathroom and to the living room.
Sakura was already in the room and was laying some bedding down over her couch and she glanced up at him when he entered the room.
"I really hate the idea of you taking the couch. Please, just take the bed. I'm much smaller than you." She pleaded.
Shaking his head, he answered, "No. You're injured. And besides, your couch is very comfy."
And it was true. She had one of those huge fluffy couches that begged to be sat on.
Sighing, she finished his makeshift bed. "Well, then, have a good night. I guess I'll try and get some sleep, though for some reason I'm wide awake now."
Smiling, he told her, "And as soon as your head hits your pillow you'll be out light a light. You always do."
Laughing at herself, she nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
Motioning to her room, Kakashi made a shew-ing sound. "Go, go. I need my beauty sleep."
At the Sakura promptly burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Beauty sleep my ass. You know if you were to walk around the village without that mask of yours half of the female population would faint just like Hinata use to do whenever she was around Naruto."
Of course, she was exaggerating a little bit. But he was still extremely handsome.
"Go to sleep Sakura, before you make my ego even bigger than you already clam it to be"
Laughing, she turned around and made her way out of the living room, but she paused before she left the room entirely.
"Thank you Kakashi, for saving me today."
Smiling a genuine smile, he replied "You know I'll always save you."
Smiling back, she then left the room for her own.
Just please, Sakura, don't make me have to save it again.
..00..
Just as Kakashi predicted, Sakura found sleep easily. When he went to check on her three hours later she was sleeping peacefully. He, of course, had lain awake until he got up to check on her.
If he was honest, nearly losing her had caused him to seriously think about his life.
She was truly the most important person in his life. Not that he ever thought she would be as important to him as she was. Sure, he cared for her when he taught her. Cared for her when she was training under Tsunade. But it wasn't until Naruto left the village to find ways to become stronger and Sakura joined ANBU that she became the person she was to him today.
He had spent the last three years spending nearly every day with her; training, going on missions, and just spending time together.
Guess that's what happens when your life completely revolves around missions.
Maybe Tsunade was right. Maybe they did need to slow down.
Snorting to himself, he realized even if he didn't want to that it didn't matter.
Maybe he would see if Asuma was home. They could go out for sake or something. Have some "male bonding time".
Or more like hear the other man to talk about his daughter and wife.
Rolling over Kakashi realized the grim truth. He was a thirty-three year old man who was unmarried, unattached, and childless. Everyone else in his age rang has began to start families and slow down.
And here he was, going at it like he was still in his early twenties.
Sleep. He needed sleep.
He would think of his crazy life in the morning. It wasn't like he didn't have time.
..00..
So what do you think?
I have this arc semi mapped out and the ending is already written. I'm going to try to update at least once a week, hopefully more if I have time.
Other characters will be added, though some may not make an appearance until the second arc
3
