Thank you all so much for all the reveiws! i never expected such a great response for a first chapter and its really helped me to get back into writing.

This chapter is for AraelMoonchild who acurately guessed Kakashi's injury. Hopefully it wasn't too predictable for everyone else.


Sakura ran through the entrance of Kakashi's apartment building and skidded to a stop in front of his door. She tried to knock politely, but she was just too worried and the door rattled against the frame as she pounded at it. Alright, ten seconds. If she didn't hear movement from inside in ten seconds, she'd break through the door. It was entirely possible he might be too injured to come to the door.

5…

4…

3…

2…

To her surprise, the door opened to reveal a healthy-looking Kakashi. Most of his body was covered by his usual clothing so maybe the injuries were hidden. Or maybe it was a poison.

"Tsunade-shishou said you were injured?" She spoke rapidly, reaching a glowing green hand out to touch him, using her chakra to search him for injuries.

Kakashi held up his right hand, his index finger pointing toward the ceiling. Focusing on his finger, Sakura stared at the fine red cut across the pad before looking up at him in disbelief, all her worries draining from her.

"You called me for a papercut?"

"It hurts."

She closed her eyes and swallowed hard, trying to keep her temper. Her immense anger was quelled by the wave of relief from knowing he was home and relatively uninjured. She wasn't going to get mad about this, she was an adult and hitting him, no matter how tempting, wouldn't solve anything. Except that it was extremely tempting and would make her feel so much better. She slowly counted to ten while she took deep breaths, which seemed to help a little. At least she wouldn't kill him.

"I think it's infected, too."

"Alright, that's it." Sakura reached out and whapped him on the side of the head. "Do you know just how much I want to give you a real injury for this? You probably got that papercut from an Icha Icha book, didn't you? Sakura asked, as she pushed past him into his apartment. Kakashi knew better than to deny something true.

"Icha Icha Does Dallas." He said as Sakura rolled her eyes. (sorry, guys, I'm not in the mood to make up another name)

"Did that even happen on your mission?" Her annoyance was starting to show and Kakashi was just waiting for the minute she hauled off and really hurt him.

He gave her a hurt expression. "Of course it was on a mission. It's a serious wound received while on a serious mission."

"By a dirty novel! Have you never heard of a Band-aid?"

"Doesn't ring a bell. Do you want to know what was in the novel?"

"Not really."

"Oh, but I think you would like it. Jiraryia gave it to me and it's not going to be released until next month. I know you read them too."

She flushed and turned away from him so he wouldn't see the added color to her face. Once, okay, just once she was so bored out of her mind while on a mission, she had borrowed one of his copies and read it. She had, of course, criticized it the entire time and had denied liking it when she gave it back. How did he know she went and bought her own copies? After all, they were more like explicit romance novels. Very explicit romance novels.

"So what if I do?" Oh, crap. So much for denying she liked them. She really needed to get out of here. She already felt ashamed for her outburst a few weeks ago, but unlike what she'd told him she'd do, she hadn't been able to stop her feelings. Just being in the same room with him made her heart ache.

"It means I'm not the only pervert in the room."

"No, you're still the only pervert 'cause I don't read them in public."

"You weren't doing anything important were you?"

"That's not the point! Medics don't even make house calls."

"Not even for their favorite sensei?"

"Tsunade's my favorite sensei."

He looked hurt.

"Fine. You're my favorite perverted sensei, does that count for something?"

"I'm still hurt by that."

She leaned back against the wall and bowed her head. "And I'm hurt you called me here for a paper cut! I thought you were really injured! I thought you might be dying! I thought…" She sighed in defeat and moved over to stand by him, reaching a glowing green hand to wrap around the index finger he still held up. "You really scared me." In a matter of seconds, the sides of the red cut sealed itself back together and his skin returned to its usual color.

"If that's all you needed, I have to get back to the hospital." She turned away and reached for the door. "There are people who are actually injured there and they might need my help."

"Wait, please, Sakura." his hand was reaching for her arm, pulling her toward his lumpy couch. "Just sit down for a moment." She came to stand in front of the couch but didn't sit down. He made a motion for her to sit and she hesitated momentarily before perching on the edge of a cushion.

He took a good look at her, noticing how tired she appeared. She looked weary beyond her years, even for a kunoichi, her back was slumped and her eyes stared down at the floor. She looked defeated. She turned to take a quick glance at him, but her eyes immediately returned to the carpet.

"What is it? Are you actually hurt somewhere?" she asked as she sat down, her eyes flicking up to looked him over again. Still finding no injuries, her eyes dropped to the floor as he sat next to her. She had a bad feeling he wanted to talk about what she'd blurted out on the bridge and she didn't relish the idea of being turned down again.

"Not exactly." He said.

"Not exactly?"

Kakashi sighed. In his nervousness he struggled to remain seated and not to pace back and forth in front of the couch. What if she'd changed her mind and didn't care for him like that anymore? What if it really had just been a silly crush, something she'd foolishly said without meaning after too much to drink?

It had been such a long three weeks without her. An extremely long three week mission spent thinking about her and what she said the night before he left. He had asked her what she wished her life would be like, assuming she found the right person to spend it with. When she'd said there was someone she had in mind, and he'd been dumb enough to ask who, he'd never imagined it was him.

Then she said she'd make it go away. Strangely, those words had bothered him much more than hearing about the crush and when he realized it, he'd been so stunned he remained on the bridge for nearly an hour after she left, attempting to analyze what it all meant. Eventually he went home only to think of her the entirety of his mission.

His automatic reaction had been to push her away and he was starting to regret it.

The pink haired girl he'd first met had changed so much over the past years. Even without his instruction. He'd failed her as her teacher, but he hoped he had made up for it recently, working with her on basic skills Tsunade didn't have the extra time to practice with her. Everything the life of a shinobi had thrown at her, she'd found a way through it, and had grown into one of the best kunoichi in the village and the second best medic in all the hidden villages, surpassing even Shizune. Her inner and outer strength constantly amazed him and he'd had a chance to see that in the past couple years.

Once she'd become a jounin, Tsunade tended to pair them together on team missions for some of the more difficult assignments – knowing that if Kakashi insisted on using the Mangekyou Sharingan, Sakura was one of the few people who could help treat him. And he did use it. No matter how many times Sakura and Tsunade lectured him about it, there were times he still felt it was absolutely necessary. Sakura's lectures tended to be a bit more extreme and threatening than Tsunade's and he usually listened to her, for awhile at least.

So why had he been disappointed when she brushed her feelings off as a little crush? Did he want her to have feelings for him? The thought almost made him fall out of the tree he had been crouched in as he observed his target.

She was important to him, probably the person who knew him best as well. There was just something about this woman that made him open up to her, telling her things he'd never shared with anyone. Her kind, friendly manner and quick wit often had him grinning broadly and made him grateful he had his mask to hide behind. She'd even learned to read his expressions, something difficult to do with a person who only let you see one eye and a small section of his face.

He wasn't above admitting to himself that, after a few slightly awkward teen years, she had turned into quite the knockout, her pale pink hair and vibrant green eyes giving her a striking and unusual beauty that had other women jealous and left many men drooling. Including him.

She'd even haunted his dreams for the past couple years, doing things to him right out of an Icha Icha book. Granted, he had those dreams about several female acquaintances, but it was the ones with Sakura always left him feeling a little empty and disappointed when he woke up alone. She was just… special, different than anyone else he'd ever met.

It wasn't like he hadn't considered what being with her would be like because he had. It was more like he never thought it was possible she could think of him that way therefore being with her like that was an unattainable fantasy. Having taken the medic route, she still retained her purity, her innocence that so many kunoichi lost through their numerous seduction missions. She was definitely beyond his reach and he didn't want to burden her with the terrible things he'd done in his life.

Fine. Yes, he was a dirty old man for even looking at this young girl – no, this woman in a sexual way, but it was so damn hard not to. After all, he was a man, and what man wouldn't enjoy being around a smart, funny, beautiful woman who made him feel like he was the only man in her world when she was with him?

She had to have one of the most amazing bodies he'd ever seen, too. A body that wouldn't leave his mind since she'd begun to fill out. The way she moved, how she twisted her muscular form to dodge blows during practice or just the sweet smile she'd occasionally flash him, all of it contributed to his fantasies. There were a lot of fantasies, and sometimes they were arousingly realistic; realistic enough to have him fumbling to cover said arousal when caught on a mission.

He couldn't help but imagine how soft her skin would feel under his calloused fingers, how soft her hair might feel against his bare cheek, how her lips would feel pressed against the skin of his chest, how her moans might sound as he entered her warm, silky heat.

But the fact remained, there was a 14 year age difference, and while she was now 23 years old (making him feel rather old at the age of 37) she had once been his student and he wasn't sure that was a line that could or should be crossed. At least not between them.

It had broken his heart to see her so upset that night, how afraid she'd been that he would end their friendship because of what she'd said. Honestly, if he hadn't been reconsidering his actions from that night and if he actually didn't feel anything for her, that's probably what he would have done – slowly started to avoid her so as to ease their discomfort and put some space between them. But he found he didn't want to. If the weeks away from her because of a mission had been hard, how difficult would it be to avoid her while living in the same village?

He'd miss their easy relationship, her soft wonderful laugh, the way she'd look when he made her angry – even when she got mad enough to punch him. For some reason, she was absolutely beautiful when she was angry, maybe it was her flashing green eyes or that her cheeks flushed prettily or maybe it was the way she would pout if she lost the argument.

Was it possible that he might be the right man for her? Was it too much to hope that there really was someone for him – and she was that one? Was there even a chance they could be happy together?

He'd told her about his bad dreams and nightmares where he found the woman he loved only to lose her by his own actions. For years he'd interpreted them as a prediction meaning there was no one he was meant to be with – that his life hadn't been meant to be happy, that emotions were only dangerous and deadly things to shinobi.

He hadn't had one of those dreams since he left the village, and when he looked back at them now, he could only envision the woman having pink hair, something they definitely hadn't had when he woke up sweating. Was it possible these nightmares were merely a manifestation of his fears, his imagination playing off those fears and none of it would actually come true? Could there really be someone who was meant for him?

He'd seen her eyes on that bridge and he'd gotten the impression that what she'd said was true. It was possible she might even be dismissing how much she really cared. As he'd told her, there really wasn't anyone who was good enough for her; especially him. Surely he could only bring more pain and sorrow to her life. He really didn't deserve someone so kind and caring. He didn't deserve a woman who loved so unconditionally, did he?

What if they were to try a relationship – and not just sex, but an actual relationship? What if he opened up to her only to lose her like everyone else he really loved? And if he died, what would that do to her? Did he really want her to end up standing by the cenotaph crying over his engraved name?

Or would his inaction become his biggest regret, the rest of his life spent looking back to recall how he let the chance to be with such an amazing woman slip through his fingers? Did he really want to live without her in his life?

After three weeks thinking about her, he finally made his decision. At the time, he'd been so distracted with all his thoughts of her that he'd almost missed 'detaining' his target, a shinobi from another village who'd been tasked with learning about the defenses of the various parts of Fire Country. Almost missed him, but not quite. Kakashi quickly disposed of the shinobi, considering momentarily allowing himself to be injured just so he would have a reason to see her. The more intelligent part of his brain realized he didn't actually need to be injured to request medical attention. And that brought him to where he was sitting next to her on his couch.

"Do you remember the night we talked on the bridge before I left?"

Although she didn't move, she gave the impression of withdrawing into herself and her voice was soft when she answered. "Of course, the night I spoke without thinking and alienated one of my best friends... You promised me things wouldn't change between us." She said anxiously as she squeezed her eyes shut, knowing her face was turning an embarrassing shade of red.

Please don't tell me we're not friends anymore, she pleaded silently. And don't make me beg out loud. If nothing else, I just want to still be around you. Please don't push me away.

He reached out and touched her hand, but she pulled it away as if she had been burned. He sighed softly, withdrawing his but still watching her.

"I'll admit, what you said on the bridge that night surprised me." He said. "I never saw it coming… the thought that you could see me as more than the old man who'd once been your teacher was something I never anticipated and I didn't quite know how to react, so the first thing I did was push you away. That's the way I've always dealt with anyone who wants to get too close – I push them away and after doing it for almost thirty years, well, I've become very, very skilled at it." She glanced over at him and saw he too was staring at the floor, studying his bare feet. He was leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped together tightly between his legs.

"You haven't gotten over it yet, have you? The crush, I mean…" his head turned rapidly to look at her, to see her reaction to his question. She obviously hadn't picked up on the worried tone of his voice.

She shook her head slowly, her eyes dropping back to the floor, unable to make eye contact with him. She had her arms wrapped tightly around her waist, hugging herself now. It was a stupid thought, but she couldn't help but wish it was his arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly to him. "Not yet, I'm sorry, but it will go away… I'll make it go away, I promise."

"I've had a lot of time to think on this mission and… I've never been this close to someone or really allowed anyone to mean so much to me, and at the chance of ruining our friendship… I don't want to push you away this time. I already care for you so much more than I should if we're just friends… I want to open up to you but I can't do this as a one-time thing. I need… more from you… more than just one night… I need something more serious. That is, if you don't mind being with an old man."

She turned to find him watching her and searched his face for any sign of sincerity. She gave a small laugh and a sad quick smile before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I thought you just… I could have sworn you asked me… I-I have to go. I'm hearing things." She stood up quickly and raced toward the door only to have him catch her by the wrist and pull her back until she was standing between his knees, his single black eye staring up at her.

"I meant what I said, Sakura, I want to be with you but I need to know it's not just a quick fling, I need to know that this is more than a game to you. You're already too close to me, you're too important to me and I don't want to lose you. If I open up and let myself… let myself love you like that, I need to know you feel the same way." He reached up to cup her cheek. "That is, if you still mean what you said that night…"

The hope on his face and in his voice left her speechless and sent a rush of heat to her face. She had heard right! It hadn't been her mind playing tricks on her; he was willing to give her a chance. It was like she could visibly see the walls surrounding his emotions fall. This guarded man that she'd known for more than 10 years was finally allowing her, offering her, the chance to see the real him.

They stared at each other in silence for a few moments as her mind continued to process his words. He bowed his head and withdrew his hand, attempting to swallow the pain of rejection. Apparently it had been something she'd merely said while drunk and she really didn't care for him as much as he'd hoped she did. Maybe she had only wanted a one night stand. It had all been a long shot to begin with, he should know by now that someone like her couldn't burden herself with the likes of him. He'd made a complete fool of himself thinking she was serious with her little confession that he'd stupidly taken as a declaration of undying love. He'd made a complete fool of himself in front of her.

Sakura looked at the silver haired man sitting on the couch before her, the growing signs of worry forming on his face making her heart flip over. Unable to even come up with the right words to say to him, she lifted his chin with her hand, bent forward and kissed him softly on his masked lips. It was gentle and chaste, something that gave him her answer better than any words could and she could feel his lips curve into a smile under hers. As she leaned into his body and his arms wrapped around her waist to pull her down onto his lap, she could feel the tension drain from his stiff posture. Had he thought she'd rejected him? She was astonished; the Copy-Nin had actually been nervous about her reaction!

"Um… I guess that means you haven't found anyone else while I was gone." He said as they broke away and he adjusting her weight a little to bring her closer. The smile that spread across her face made his heart jump, drinking in the happiness that now filled her eyes. As her arm slid around his waist, he welcomed her touch and held her tighter.

"No, nothing like that. Actually, I have no idea how I would even go about forgetting how I feel about you. I just said I would so you wouldn't start avoiding me." she said, her cheeks flushed.

"So you wouldn't mind a more serious relationship?"

Her soft giggle made his heart swell. "Nope. Actually, it's more than I could have hoped for. I'd kind of given up on you after my drunken declaration."

Sakura's admission made him smile and in less than a second, he had yanked down his mask and captured her lips with his bare ones. This time there was more to their kiss, a sort of energy that passed between them, a kind of electricity that awoke their entire bodies. There was a physical need, almost a hunger, and a kind of relief at finally doing what had been on both of their minds for these past few weeks. He inhaled her soft pleasured sigh, taking the opportunity to gently tease her parted lips with his tongue before pressing through them to find her own, stroking it cautiously with his.

The only thought that could pass through his mind was how good this felt, how right, as if this was the way things were supposed to be. He leaned back on the couch, pulling her with him, their lips still caught in an increasingly intense kiss. She really did want him, he marveled. This incredible young woman really did care for him, she really wants to be with him and he was filled with a feeling of joy unlike any he'd ever felt before.

She was his.

TBC...


i probably could have ended it here but i felt like a lemon. While the majority of the next chapter is the lemon, there's a few relationship issues and hopefully humorous moments as well. Its almost done and will probably be up in a couple days. Thoughts and reviews would be greatly appreciated...