Crossing the Line
A/N: I'm back! I've got such great support and response for my two one-shots that I've decided to do a continuation of sorts. "Crossing the Line" will be the sequel to "Up There" and the prequel to "A Shriek of Joy". Basically, this takes place from when Kakashi and Sakura realize their love for each other (though it remains unspoken) until they get married and raise a family.
Because it takes place in the future, there will be some OCs so that everyone can be in a relationship (I didn't have the heart to leave anyone out…). THIS WILL CONTAIN MANGA SPOILERS. I'm not going to change the pairings because I've already chosen what their families will be like.
Pairings and Rankings:
KakaSaku ( ANBU/ Jounin and Medic)
NaruHina (ANBU/ Jounin-sensei)
NejiTen (ANBU/ANBU)
LeeUme (ANBU/Civilian OC)
ShikaTema (ANBU/Jounin)
ChoIno (Jounin/ Jounin and Medic)
GaaraMatsuri (Kazekage/ Chuunin)
KibaHanabi (Jounin/Chunnin)
ShinoSora (ANBU/Civilian OC)
AsuKur (IMPLIED)
IrukaAyame (Chuunin/Ramen Girl)
Others may appear
Sorry this was such a long note—the others won't be as long. This is my first story so it was a lot more intricate than my one-shots. I actually had to plan this out—normally I just write and hope I like where it goes.
This is dedicated to an awesome reviewer: BalladForDeadMemories
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, do you think you could read this for free?
Chapter 1: The Start of Something New
BANG. BANG. BANG. Kakashi growled to himself—carrying her home? Fine. Coming inside her apartment for some dango? Fine. Having some wine? Fine. Talking about the past— his past? Even that was fine. But kissing her on the lips as he was leaving and then running away and repeatedly hitting his head against the wall of his apartment? Not so fine.
The Great Copy Ninja was afraid—of a 5'5 pink-haired woman.
It wasn't that he was afraid of her reaction—quite the opposite. She, from the looks of it, thoroughly enjoyed the kiss—kissing with a passion that he didn't know she possessed. And when it ended, she stood there—panting slightly—and with glazed eyes and a breathless voice, stuttered his name with an emotion that he couldn't quite recognize.
It was his fault—sure he could blame it on the alcohol, but he knew he was ultimately responsible. He became comfortable and forgot to edit his thoughts before he turned them into words—and actions. One comment and all the distance and the friend-only boundaries he had tried to put into place, crumbled.
Clutching his bruised and throbbing forehead, he slid to the floor. Kakashi glared at his forehead protector with mismatched eyes—like it was responsible for the headache he now had. It lay dejectedly across the room, unaware of its owner's heated glare. With a frustrated sigh, he balled his calloused hands into fists and slammed them backwards into the wall he was leaning against half-heartedly.
Mismatched eyes redirected their glare at the too white—hospital white—ceiling, as he tried to figure out how a friendly evening turned into something much more…
"Sakura, you haven't been left behind. It's not like everyone is married!"
Sakura took a hefty swallow of wine, "You're right. Only Naruto and Hinata, Neji and TenTen, Chouji and Ino, and Shikamaru and Temari are married."
"No need to be sarcastic, Sakura. And besides, Lee and Shino aren't married…"
"Lee is on a honeymoon with that civilian girl he married…Ume I think her name was?"
"Oh, right! I'm surprised that that clone of Gai could actually get that pretty of a girl."
Sakura scowled.
"And Shino was planning on proposing tonight—but there is no doubt that Sora will say yes—they definitely love each other, even if they are shyer at showing it than other people."
"Sora?"
"She's a civilian—she runs the green house where I go to get my herbs when I need them for antidotes—I actually introduced them!" Her tone revealed a tinge of pride.
However, that happiness didn't last more than a millisecond—Sakura dropped back into sulking.
Kakashi sighed. He hated it when she was like this—her smile was so much prettier, though she was beautiful anytime. No one could hold a candle to her in any way, shape, or form—NO. He needed to keep his mind from wandering—it had bad consequences.
"Well, what about Kiba? I'm positive that he isn't married or planning some engagement. You could both get together and throw a "Single's Awareness Day" Party—though you could call it a S.A.D. Party for short." Kakashi's eye twinkled at her reaction.
She sent a scathing glare his direction. The plant beside him withered.
She huffed, "For your information, he isn't single—he's dating Hinata's little sister, Hanabi—she's a chuunin.
"Isn't she just sixteen?"
Sakura bridled at Kakashi's remark. "I'm only a little more than four years older than her, Kakashi!"
He quickly recognized his mistake—time for damage control.
"Of course, Sakura-chan! But her father probably won't allow it..."
"Actually, Hiashi is allowing her to date Kiba—mainly because he allowed both Hinata and Neji to marry outside of the clan. It's against traditions, sure—but times are changing for the better. Did you know that they are forbidding the sealing of the branch members? Heck, Neji—who is a branch member—is going to be clan head because both Hinata and Hanabi refused to receive the title. They are both happy with where they are in life—and Neji would be a better leader than they would. At least, that's what they told me at lunch a couple of weeks ago. I am really surprised that Hanabi didn't want the title, though—but I think Kiba has something to do with it. Because of him, she's more grounded—and she isn't the brat that she used to be…that's probably why her father is allowing them to date. He's had a positive impact—just like Naruto and TenTen have had on Hinata and Neji. Although, I doubt her father would admit to anything besides doing it to strengthen clan alliances."
Sakura sighed again. "I'm the only one not in a relationship—I'm beginning to think something's wrong with me…"
Without thinking, Kakashi blurted—"Nothing's wrong with you, I think you are perfect—and besides, you have me."
Kakashi immediately stiffened. With an internal grimace, he realized that he had crossed the line. They had never thought about—well, spoken about—what they meant to each other. Unintentionally, he brought about a topic that, most likely, would end up with someone being hurt.
Sure, he thought that she had feelings for him—the current look that she had in her eyes... the longing for him—but he couldn't be sure. As for himself, he knew his feelings were more than lust—but anything beyond that was out of his understanding. Sure, he loved his Nin Dogs and his village, but this was different. Therefore, he decided to treat this "illness" like he had all others—ignore it in the hopes that it will go away. However, like most problems he ever had in life—they didn't, they just become worse.
And them came the dreaded question, "Kakashi, what are we exactly?"
Kakashi took a deep breath—time to practice one of the most used shinobi arts…lying through your teeth.
"Friends…unless I am too old for you, Sakura-chan?"
He secretly prayed that he wasn't—he is only 34…and she is 20, turning 21 in a few months. He almost breathed a sigh of relief when he realized that his fears were unnecessary. He saw her eyes dim and her expression waver—if only for a second. She wanted more too. She wanted him as he wanted her.
Internally, Kakashi berated himself; he didn't want to see her like this. He wanted to tell her that he felt something for her—more than just friendship and it is because of that that he lied. But she is too good for him. Yes. It is better for her to be hurt now than to be hurt more later, but—
"Kakashi, are you afraid of love or afraid of having it, then losing it?" Her eyes brimmed with tears.
It was time to go. And fast.
"I should be leaving, thanks for inviting me inside. The dango was great."
He got up from his spot on the couch and didn't look back. Two more feet and he'd reach the door—a few more seconds before he wouldn't be tempted to tell Sakura what he wanted them to be—
A small hand encircled his wrist. He looked away.
"I understand, Kakashi. Sorry for causing you trouble…"
All his resolve broke when he heard her apologize. Trouble! When was she ever trouble? And why was she the one apologizing—when he was the one hurting the both of them? He wasn't worth her tears.
Without another thought, one hand grabbed her waist, while the other jerked down his mask.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Kakashi resumed banging his head against the wall. How come he couldn't let go—and how come he ran home to hide away like a coward?
While the rational part of himself shouted obscenities inside of his head about how irresponsibly he behaved, another part of him, the part that before Sakura that had laid dormant, could only think about the feel of her skin, the smell of her hair, and the softness of her pink lips.
With every minute, his rational part was dying. What did he want—that was easy. What was he going to do about it, on the other hand, wasn't so easy.
His musings were interrupted by a soft, but persistent knocking on his apartment door. And based on the chakra signal, it was Sakura.
Sorry this took so long—my computer's internet isn't working. I have to write chapters on my laptop, then when no one is around…re-type it on my parent's computer and save it. Then I transfer is to and delete it off of the computer. So please, bear with me on the updates until my computer gets fixed!!! I think I can get a chapter a week. It depends—pray for me XD