This is re-type. A bit cleaned up. Hope you like.
Chapter 1
"Onegaishimasu, Lady Hokage, am in desperate need of your assistances, I require the help of two shinobi's from you," the merchant said while bowing and then looking up at the Hokage with great respect. About four hours ago, a group of travelers showed up in Konoha demanding to speak with their Hokage. The ones who request such an audience with the Hokage was a wealthy merchant man from Tea Country. He was then escorted up to the Hokage's Tower to see the Godaime, were for the last twenty minutes was requesting help from the Hidden Leaf Village. He had broken down in front of Tsunade and Shizune, while explaining his predicament. "So will you help us, Lady Hokage? I'm willing to pay anything, just please, for all that is great in this world, help us," the merchant said while kneeling in front of the Hokage with his hands in front of him in praying style.
"Please, get up mister Masato," Tsunade said while looking at the merchant man kneeling in front of her. "I will take your case, it's very odd though, that your countries leader didn't provide you with any help," Tsunade said while positioning her hands in front of her and lacing her fingers together.
"Sorry to say this, Lady Hokage, but that bag of shit doesn't even care about his own family, let along care for others," Masato said while looking very piss off and rising from the kneeling position. He never truly cared about his own government that ruled Tea Country. In his eye they were all worthless pieces of unko, who didn't deserve to run such a beautifully country. Never the less he did try asking for help, but the Daimyou refuse him, stating that he wasn't appointed to deal with out of control yariman, who didn't listen to their fathers.
Tsunade had heard enough. She was going to get to the bottom of this quickly and find out what had happen to this merchant daughter and son-in-law. "I will send two of my finest fighters to take care of this problem, mister Masato, for the mean time please, stay here in Konoha," Tsunade said while extending her hand to Masato.
"Hai, your very generous Lady Hokage, I'm glad I listen to my wife's advice in coming here."
"I'm glad that we can assist you in this matter, and please send for your lovely wife, we will accommodate you and your group to one of our finest hotel here in Konoha." After that the merchant bowed and departed, Tsunade and Shizune went over the books, on who was here and who was out on missions. Unfortunately the only two that were not at the moment out of commission or out on a mission, where Haruno, Sakura, and Hatake, Kakashi. "So you're telling me there is no one else, then these two." She really didn't want to appoint Sakura to this mission. Sakura hadn't been in the field for quite a long time now, and would not be ready to handle this type of mission but she had no choice.
"Well, you were the one that assigned her to the hospital, for these last three years, after the whole Akatsuki war, and you told Kakashi to take a break for a few days, since his been requesting A and S-ranking missions none stop," Shizune said while looking at the Hokage.
Tsunade knew after the Akatsuki war period had happen, many shinobis live had changed. With Jiraiya's death, and Asuma, everyone seemed to drift away from one another. They even came close in losing Naruto and even Kakashi, over that damn war for the Kyuubi. "Well, I guess go head and send for them."
Shizune bowed and went in search of Sakura, while she sent out an ANBU man to search for Kakashi. Shizune found Sakura in her office working on patient's medical charts and other medical material Lady Tsunade had her working on. "Hey! It looks like you could use a break." Sakura looked up and smile at the only person who ever visited her at the hospital. Ever since Naruto got married to the Hyuuga heiress, he had no time for her. It made Sakura feel like their friendship didn't matter, but Naruto had told her not to think like that. He mentioned that he would visit her any day he had time. Well any day, became three years. They did hang out, of course down by the Ichiraku Ramen place. If that ramen stand didn't exist she would never get to see him. As for Sasuke, he joined ANBU and married a girl from Sound Country. Sakura always forgot her name; she always thought after his whole revenge episode that he would come back and ask her to marry him, but no such luck. She did get to see him once in awhile, if by chance. Now for Kakashi, their ex-sensei, she hadn't seen him for three years. She tried searching for him once and was told he had gone out on a two year mission, after that she stop searching. Sai had gone back to root and she had dedicated her time and energy on becoming one of the top medical-nin in all of Konoha.
"Hai, I could defiantly use a break, what brings you here?" Sakura asked while arching her back in a stretch.
"Well, Tsunade has a mission, for you."
"For real…oh my goodness I haven't been on a mission in years, what type of mission is it? Who am I going with? How long is it going to take? Wow, I mean wow I truly hope am prepare for this but it doesn't matter my partner probably is more experience than me, but who cares right."Sakura continue bombarding Shizune with questions.
"All your questions, Lady Tsunade will answer for you, Sakura. Geez girlfriend you defiantly need some quality time with someone, you have too much energy." Shizune and Sakura both broke out in a fit of laughter. After talking for a brief moment they both walked towards the Hokage's Tower.
Kakashi was truly bored out of his freaking mind. He hated having to take a so call "break"; he needed action in his life. He wanted so badly to go on a mission even his Ich Ich paradise books where getting boring. He had read them several times over. He defiantly needed to go out and buy a new one, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. After Jiraiya's death, he felt he couldn't go buy someone else's work; he enjoyed reading the old sage books. Jiraiya's death was heartbreaking; Kakashi lost a good friend and mentor that day. Naruto didn't take the news to well either; he went into an animalistic rage. If four tails were bad enough, then hell on earth broke loose when all nine came out on that fated day, not even Yamato's seal could contain the Kyuubi. Japan felt the immense power radiating from Konoha; no one could have imagined it came from a young man. No one survived that day; all the Akatsuki members were destroyed that fateful day. No one try stopping Naruto, they all had had enough of the endless killing for the Kyuubi. It was time to let the ominous Akatsuki clan pay for their sins in blood. Yes, it was morally wrong but the vast destruction and devastation they caused sentenced them to hell. Kakashi was grateful for his friends he still had left in this world. He had become close to Kurenai after Asuma's death, they were friends turn lovers. He care for Kurenai, but he wasn't in love with her. After Asuma's death she had miscarriage and her life change that day. She felt that life was meaningless. She went out every night and gotten wasted, not caring who saw or what they thought of her, life meant nothing. She drank so much that Anko had found her past out near Kakashis' apartment complex one cold winters night. Anko never question her, but did manage to help her for a time. Nothing really helped She didn't care for anyone, let along her own life. The pain and sorrow over took her. She wanted just to fade away into the blackness of the world. She yearned to be whole again, but the heavy bottle of spirit in her hand said otherwise. She stumbled across all of Konoha, and eventually ended up once again by Kakashis' apartment. In her induced drunkenness she came to knock on Kakashis' door. Kakashi open his front door, and there she was, crying her eyes out, while holding for dear life onto her bottle of sake. Kakashi grabbed her before she fell and walked her in. After sitting her down on his couch he brought her a cup of hot coffee, and tried soothing her. In the ended they both ended up in bed together. Kakashi told her he wasn't here to replace Asuma that this was just a onetime deal, but every time she felt alone she came to his bed. Kakashi was a man after all, he never refused her, so the onetime deal, became a regular. Kakashi smile at the thought of Kurenai. Oh well maybe that's why he was always asking for missions, he didn't want to get to close to her, that's why he had left on a two year mission, but she had waited, which took Kakashi by surprise. Especially the day, he had return from that particular mission she had admitted of falling in love with him. He wasn't ready to settle down yet; his thoughts were interpreted when he felt the preset of someone coming his way. He looked to his left and before he could blink there beside him was an ANBU man.
"The Lady Hokage request your present immediately."
'Finally', Kakashi thought. He was truly going crazy not being able to do anything interesting, now he was going on a mission, 'thank you kami', Kakashi thought with a smile. He started walking towards the Hokage Tower.
"Well it's nice to see you again, Sakura," Tsunade said while noticing a pink hair woman walking in her office.
"It's great seen you again too my Lady, it's been almost a month since I last saw you," Sakura said while taking a sit near the Hokage's desk. While Shizune walked over towards the Hokages' desk and positioned herself back to stand next to the Hokage.
"Well, I guess Shizune told you am sending you out on a mission, which will start the moment your partner gets here," Tsunade said looking impatiently around her surroundings. Sakura was starting to wonder who her partner would be; she was just excited to return to the field. Sakura was lost in her thought when a cloud a smoke signaled the arrival of her partner. She turned around to see no other than Kakashi Hatake. He didn't say anything just walked next to where Sakura was currently sitting at. "Well, late as usually, Hatake," Tsunade said casually. Kakashi just shrugged and took the other chair next to Sakura, without saying a word.
"Well, before I begin to tell you about this mission you two will be going on. Let me make sure that you two understand that no matter what the mission is, no matter how long it will take, that you both understand that there is no one else then the two of you to accomplish this mission flawlessly," Tsunade said while looking at the two shinobis in front of her. "This means you two are professionals, and the mission is your first and most important factor, do I make myself clear."
"Hai," Kakashi and Sakura said in unison, even though they already knew that the mission came first and they were both award that professionalism was a part of been a shinobi.
"I'm glad you two understand, this mission is simple in a way, you two will have to get marry and go to a newlywed retreat in ,Tea Country," Tsunade said while smiling at the two shocked shinobis. Except for Kakashi's expression of course no one knew what his face was like.
"SAY WHAT!" Sakura said jumping out of her chair, with a look of disbelieve plaster on her face.
Kakashi on the other hand sat quietly he knew this was a mission nothing more, but his former student didn't seem to grasp the meaning yet, but he too was a bit shocked, 'oh well so much for not settling down' Kakashi thought sarcastically without showing no expression, what so ever.
"I told you to be professional about this Sakura, there is nothing wrong with this, unfortunately, though the two of you are really going to have to get married, but after the mission is completed you guys can get a simple divorcé, with no strings attach," Tsunade said while placing her hands in front of her and lacing them together. " This mean, I will have to marry you two personally and Shizune can act as a witness, this marriage has to look real, these people are not novice, Sakura… they will know, if they came across a fake marriage license. So, I have already made the certificate, the only thing left is for you two to sign it." Tsunade said looking at her apprentices seriously.
Kakashi understood the meaning behind their marriage, it was just like been undercover, but he didn't like the idea of been real either. Without another thought, Kakashi walked over and toke the pen from the Hokage and signed the document. He then turned the pen to his former student. She still was in shock, but she took the pen and signed it as well.
"Well congratulations, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Tsunade said while stamping a seal of authenticity. "Ok, now here's the scroll, it will explain everything, please watch your backs, like I said before this people are very thorough and you leave today, so get your gear together," Tsunade said to the two shinobi's and handing the scroll over to the copy-nin, with the marriage document. "Kakashi, here is a jeweler, whose willing to sell you reasonable prices on rings for you and Sakura," Tsunade said while handing Kakashi a piece of paper with some writing on it. With that Sakura left to go pack, while Kakashi went to the jeweler the Godaime suggested.
Sakura couldn't believe it, she was married and to none other than to Hatake Kakashi. Wow, well no sense on beating my brain about this, but deep down she always fantasies about having a big wedding, with the man of her dreams, true Sasuke was no longer that man, but she still had hoped of getting swept up and carried off to her dream castle. "OH! Stop, you know this is not the really thing, just keep in mind this is just part of the mission," Inner Sakura said. " I know this is just part of a mission but am still technically married to him, my former sensei, you know how wrong this is in so many levels," Sakura said to her inner self. "And here I am having a conversation with myself again, I am defiantly losing my mind," Sakura groan to herself. She walked out of her apartment, while grabbing her backpack and heading toward Konoha's gates.
Kakashi found the shop that the Hokage suggested to checkout. He found two rings that were perfect, he just hoped that Sakura like hers. After his business transaction, he went home to pack. He always packed light, with all the necessary items he needed. After that he headed out towards the gates. He approached Sakura who was staring up at some birds flying by. She was wearing a pair of khaki shorts with a white t-shirt, and her ninja sandals. He smile to himself, she really had change this pass three years. He came to stand next to her. "Ready to head out?'' Kakashi asked while truly see his former student, he had never really paid close attention to her features, before. She no longer wore her hair short, now it was long and she put it up in a ponytail. Her features were softer. 'She truly had developed into a beautiful, attractive young woman,' Kakashi thought.
Sakura glance his way, she always had assumed that their sensei would already have had settle down. 'He was good looking, well of what you could see of him,' Sakura thought. "Hai, just waiting for my husband to show up," Sakura said while looking up again at the sky with a grin. Kakashi glance her way and smiled. She was truly beautifully, her hair was a softer hue of pink and her body was extraordinary in every way. Kakashi didn't realize he had been staring at her, until he heard her speaking. "Why Are you staring at me Kakashi-sensei? Sakura said glancing his way.
That question snapped Kakashi from his thoughts. "I wasn't staring, just wondering why you're wearing civilian clothes, I was planning for us to stop at the Chamise (Tea house), and change clothes there, plus its one of our stops."
"Oh, well, I thought wearing civilian clothes would be more suitable, while traveling to Tea country," Sakura said while feeling a bit self-conscious now. "Plus if your worry that I can't keep up wearing this, you're wrong, it's comfortable for me."
"Am not worry that you can't keep up, just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable from our travel, that's why we are stopping at Chamise to change, if you wanted to keep the same attire on, be my guest," Kakashi said while turning around and walking out the gates.
Sakura didn't say anything; she just balled up her fist to her side and followed Kakashi. They traveled in silences for a few hours, which made Sakura even madder, but she did notice that he wasn't pulling out his reading material like he normally did. She was lost in her thoughts when, she lost her footing and started falling down. She closed her eyes knowing she was going to hit the ground pretty hard, but the impact never came. She felt an arm encircle her waist and another go underneath her thighs. Kakashi landed with such grace, that Sakura didn't even notice that they had landed. "You ok?" Kakashi asked while looking down at the woman he cradled in his arms. Sakura just nodded and blush, Kakashi had never held her this way before, well it doesn't count when you're twelve. This felt different, wonderful in a way. Kakashi set her down and said, "We can rest here a bit if you want, or continue to Chamise, which is only an hour away."
"No, am fine lets continue, please," Sakura said blushing even more. Kakashi notice the deep crimson color on her cheeks but didn't question it. Kakashi simply smile and they proceeded on to Chamise.
Tea House….
They arrived just before the sun settled down for the night. They enter the establishment, and were greeted by a man wearing a suit. 'Wow!' Sakura thought this was a fancy tea house. They were seated and the man introduced them to their waitress named Ayumi. The waitress bowed in respect and proceeded to show them, their table and was about to hand them over their menus when Kakashi interrupted her by asking the waitress a question, "Excuse me, can you please tell me where the bathrooms are located?"
"Hai, there located down this hall to your left sir," Ayumi said while directing him. Kakashi excuse himself and proceeded to the bathroom to change his clothes. While Kakashi was in the bathroom, the waitress handed Sakura their menus. "Do you want to order now or you will like to wait until your boyfriend returns," Ayumi said while smiling at Sakura. Sakura didn't say anything to the boyfriend thing. She just simply smiled, "Hai, I'll wait, thank you." With that the waitress bowed and left to serve another couple that had just walked in.
Sakura opened the menu to see their types of teas. She really wasn't that impress, but she sure was awed with their many sorted cookies they had and the many mouth watering desserts and appetizers they had to offer. Sakura didn't even notice when Kakashi return and took his seat once more. She kept on reading the menu, until he spoke up, "So, did you order already, or were you waiting for me, my cherry blossom," Kakashi said while looking at the pink hair shinobi, who had her head down looking at the menu.
Sakura looked up and was about to say something, but her words couldn't form from the shock. She couldn't help but stare at a mask less Kakashi. My God, he was gorgeous; no one could look that good. He was perfection right down to those soft lips, 'damn he was beyond sexy,' Sakura thought. Kakashi had changed into a pair of faded jeans, with a black T-shirt and a pair of black steel toe boots. He wore an eye patch to cover up his left eye but without his head band his silver locks drop down just a bit to hide the eye patch. It made him more alluring and just sexier.
Kakashi just grinned while observing the face Sakura was making. She just kept staring at his face which made him feel a bit uncomfortable. "Sakura, can you please, stop staring, I mean it's my face that horrible looking," Kakashi said while looking at her. This made Sakura blush even more. She still couldn't speak it seemed that she was render speechless. She was completely lost, and this mission was important she needed to focus but couldn't. "Hello, Sakura are you ok,'' Kakashi said while waving a hand in front of her.
Sakura shook herself from her dream state and replied, "Am sorry, and no, your face its fine, it's just that for so many years me the guys have try for you to reveal your face to us, with tricks and stuff," Sakura said blushing. "And, well, now you just take it off, sorry it was just shocking to see you without your mask," Sakura said looking back down at her menu, with a major blush on her face now.
"I guess I should have told you, Tsunade told me to take it off, while on this mission, she told me to play the part right," Kakashi said while grinning at her. Sakura just nodded to his response but didn't look up, she felt so damn embarrassed for having been caught staring at him that way. "Oh, before I forget, here," Kakashi said while taking a small box from his jean pocket. Sakura looked up to see, what he was talking about, when she saw him open the small box he took out. There in the small box were two wedding rings. Kakashi handed her, a two tone small band. Kakashi place his on his finger and looked up to find Sakura examining the ring. "It's something wrong with the ring?" Kakashi asked.
"No, it's just so beautiful," Sakura said in a low whisper. The ring had a solid soft pink line in the middle, while the outer part of the ring was silver, what made it unique was, that in the middle of the soft pink stripe, was a design of cherry blossom pedals. She finally put her ring on her finger, but it felt a bit foreign on her hand. The waitress came back to get their orders, when the waitress froze in place and openly stared at Kakashi. Her eyes got all dreamy, she approach Kakashi very closing and said, "Wow, I mean what I can get you handsome," Ayumi said basically drooling. Kakashi looked at the waitress who was partially sitting next to him, he just grinned.
Kakashi kept on grinning and said, "Yes, can you get me the green tea with a touch of honey, please and some chocolate chip cookies." The waitress kept on looking at Kakashi, while placing her elbow on the table and resting her chin on it. "How many sweets, do you wanted cutie." Kakashi looked at the waitress and just kept on grinning, "Well, I guess about five to seven." The waitress quickly wrote down his order, to go do his bidding. She was about to leave when Sakura tapped her on the arm. Sakura was not happy, 'how dare she forget that am sitting here, and drooling over my husband,' Sakura thought. Did I just say husband, "yes, you did, and you're jealous, admitting it, because that hootchy is staring at Kakashi," Inner Sakura stated. Sakura ignored her inner self and said, "Aren't you going to get my order as well, or are you to busy drooling over my husband," Sakura said while eyeing the waitress. The waitress shock expression was priceless. Ayumi couldn't believe this angel was married to that, she mentally pointing at Sakura with distaste. "My apologize, what can I get you, Madam" Ayumi said.
At this point Kakashi wanted to laugh, Sakura was fuming. He would never have guess Sakura was the jealous type. He shook his head and continued to listen to Sakura chew out their waitress. After a few choice words, the waitress felt so embarrass that she turn the brightest shade of red, which matched the colored of the apron she was wearing. The waitress bowed and left with her tail between her legs. Kakashi couldn't help but laugh this time, man Sakura ripped the waitress head off. She was still fuming, when she glance his way, "Stop laughing, and stop looking at me like that, she had it coming, the nerve of her not noticing am sitting right across from you, I mean am I not obvious with this pink hair," Sakura continued on rambling about the waitress attitude and bad services.
Kakashi grabbed Sakura's hand in his and said,'' Sakura, don't be mad, you know am in love with you," Kakashi said while smiling at his former student. Sakura was taken aback when Kakashi held her hands in his. She blushed so bad, she heard Kakashi actually chuckling at her, the nerve of him. "Stop that, you know I feel very uncomfortable pretending to be husband and wife," Sakura said while pulling her hands away. "Don't you feel uncomfortable, knowing you're dating Kurenai," Sakura asked Kakashi.
Kakashi face turned seriously now. "Am, not dating Kurenai, Sakura," Kakashi said while looking at her. "We are just friends and that's, that," Kakashi said. Sakura felt uncomfortable asking him this, but she needed to know. "Everyone seen you two together, it's no big secret, Kakashi," Sakura said while looking at Kakashi. "Sakura, when someone says that's, that, it means that person doesn't want to talk about it, so drop it, ok," Kakashi said a bit upset at her for continue to ask about his relationship with Kurenai.
"I just don't want to be the one to brake something special between you two, I know your upset with me for probing in your personal life, it's just I fell bad that you got stuck with me on this mission, and all and …., am sorry Kakashi for intruding in your relationship," Sakura said while lowering head down and feeling bad for opening the conversation. Kakashi again grabbed a hold of her hands in his, and said, "Sakura, am sorry to for getting upset, it's just am a very private man, I don't like no one knowing things about me, let along who I date, you should know this of me by know, Sakura."
Sakura nodded and was about to speak when the waitress approached with their order. The waitress didn't even bother to look at Sakura she placed their teas and cookies on the table, bowed and left.
Sakura still felt bad, she sipped her tea a bit, then placed it back down and said, "So what does the mission involves us to do at this retreat."She wanted to change the conversation to more friendly grounds. Kakashi also place his cup down after taking a sip and said, "The mission is simple, gather information about this retreat and locate mister Masato daughter and her husband." Kakashi was also glad that she didn't continue about Kurenai. They spoke quietly about the mission for a bit. Sakura glance around the Tea house and notice there were a lot of couples walking in. "You did mention to me earlier, that this was one of our stops, right," Sakura said glancing back at Kakashi. Kakashi grabbed a cookie and munched on it while nodding to Sakura's question. After swallowing the cookie, he said, "Hai, this is one of our stops, but I didn't realize it would get this packed." They both had counted about twenty couples in the Tea house, they knew because the way they were cuddling, kissing and caressing each other. There was one couple that made Sakura blushed, the couple was partially having sex, the way there were making out. She stopping staring and glance back at Kakashi. He was actually watching her expression and smiled. She blushed even more, for looking up at him. Kakashi didn't say anything, he knew Sakura already felt bad, but he couldn't help it he liked staring at her, and she was truly beautiful. Kakashi just shook his head and continue to eat his cookies.
After they had finished with their tea and cookies, they wait to see if there was something they needed from the Chamise before heading out to The Fishing Village. Sakura stopped a waitress passing by and asked, "Hello, we are new to Tea Country, and we had heard about this newlywed retreat, that is located near, Nagi Island, do you happen to know anything about it?"
"Oh, yes you're in the right place, madam, this is one of the first stop, before heading to Eden," the waitress said smiling. "Anything you order from here is free, complementary from Eden, oh I wish my husband would have taken me to Eden," the waitress said while sighing and remembering a time where things were simpler, "Well, I do hope you two enjoy your honeymoon, you two make a the cuties couple, well it was a pleasure, enjoy." With that the waitress left and attended another couple.
Sakura blushed on what the waitress had said. She glanced at Kakashi who was just grinning at her. "Well, sweetie, I guess we are in the right place," Kakashi said smiling.
