Who else knows? Chapter 2: Shogi and Shocking Realizations, a naruto fanfic

Who Else Knows?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

AN: Thank you all so much for reviewing! It makes my day loads better. You guys are amazing!!! I think I'm in love with each and every single one of you.  And now, on with the story…

Chapter 2

Sakura stretched languidly when she awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside of her window. Kakashi was supposed to arrive home last night, and seeing as he did not visit her to be healed she assumed all had went well. Her former sensei hated hospitals more than almost anything, and unless things went seriously wrong, he never went there for treatment. Sakura had no choice but to become something akin to his own personal medic.

After showering and slipping on her shoes, Sakura headed out of the door. She had big plans for today; Kakashi just got home and was probably still tired enough to be conned into buying Sakura some lunch. Besides, even if he wasn't tired, she could probably play him in a game of shogi and win something from him. He was quite good at the game, but always made some last-minute mistake causing him to lose. For a genius, he could be quite stupid at times. Sakura shrugged inwardly; maybe she was just good at gambling.

Just as the warm sunshine hit her face, a masked ANBU approached her.

"Haruno Sakura?" the voice, definately male, asked.

"Yes? How may I help you?" she asked politely.

The masked man leaned in. "Ne, Sakura-chan, it's just me. You know that," Naruto whined. "Don't act so stuffy."

Leave it to Naruto to break the ANBU rule about revealing your identity—the one that says you're not supposed to do it.

"I know, I know," Sakura said, rolling her eyes. "But you're on duty so I thought—"

"Sakura-chan," Naruto interrupted, "the old hag wants to see you. She said she needed you right away."

"Oh. Well," Sakura motioned to the door, "would you like to—"

Naruto cut her off once more. "Sorry, I can't. I'm already sort of late for something, and…" He trailed off.

"Right, right! Well, go on then. But one day this week it's you, me and Ichiraku, okay?"

"If you wait until Monday, I might even pay for yours!" Naruto winked. "Payday. Right now I'm a little low on cash, you know?" He pulled a frog wallet out of his pocket. Usually fuller, it sagged pathetically.

"It's a date," Sakura said.

"Alright!" Naruto yelled. The crush Naruto had on Sakura had long since disappeared, but the two often joked about it. "Bye Sakura-chaaan!"

And just like that, Naruto was gone.

Sakura sighed. Tsunade wanted her urgently. Nothing good could come of that. The last time that had happened a botched mission just returned to Konoha and Sakura stayed at the hospital for a full 36 hours healing various wounds. Afterwards, the Hokage went on a rampage trying to find the sake that Shizune and Sakura had hidden. She said she wanted to settle her nerves. Dragging her feet back to her house, Sakura grabbed one of the numerous bottles of sake she kept for this specific reason. At least sake calms Tsunade down a bit.

Sakura was walking down the street to the hospital when she heard it coming from the bushes. Someone was moaning in pain! Rushing to the side of the road, she quickly reanalyzed the situation and blushed. It wasn't a moan of pain; it was a moan of pleasure.

"I can't believe you were late," a masculine voice said, followed by sounds of kissing. "I hate it when you're late." More noises. "Then again, I used to hate you, too."

Sakura knew that voice. It was Sasuke! Sasuke was making out with someone in the trees lining the street! She thought for a second when she realized it. She knew who was with him—Ino! She had been acting strange for the past few weeks, and had even stopped talking nonstop about random boys. Sakura felt so stupid. How could she not have realized this before?

Someone whispered something unintelligible and Sasuke laughed quietly. He actually laughed. Sakura's heart felt warm. Ever since he returned from Orochimaru, Sasuke has been quieter than before.

I'm just glad that Ino is making him happy, Sakura thought to herself. She turned to head towards the hospital to give the two lovebirds some privacy.

"You may still be a dobe," Sasuke said, "but you're my dobe."

Sakura's brow creased. Ino wasn't the dead last; Naruto was. But that would mean that Sasuke…

"No way!" Sakura yelled before she could even think to hold those words back. She heard leaves rustle and out came Sasuke, his face stony and giving away nothing. On his arm was a beautiful, blonde-haired… girl?

"Sorry, Sakura-chan," the woman said, "We didn't know you were there."

"Nice try," Sakura said. "I think I've known you long enough to recognize your Sexy No Jutsu, Naruto."

The blonde scowled. "How did you… Why… How did… Sakura-chan!" Naruto spluttered.

"You better not tell anyone," Sasuke monotoned, a threat laced in the tone of his voice.

Sakura smiled. Leverage, she thought, over the great Uchiha Sasuke. Who'd have thought? Out loud, all she said was, "Hn," and continued to the hospital calm, cool and collected while she left Sasuke silently fuming.

Inwardly, however, she was floored. Sasuke and Naruto! Sakura was surprised she never saw it coming. He did recognize the blonde as an equal, and Sasuke would never settle for anything less than the best. But still… Sasuke and Naruto! This was too much.

"Sakura!" Shizune yelled as she stepped into the hospital. "Thank goodness you're here! He's going crazy. I don't know what it is. He keeps pounding on the door, and yelling, 'Just give it to me! Just give it to me!' We have no clue what he's talking about!"

"Um… Who?" Sakura asked.

"You mean the messenger didn't tell you? Kakashi's back. He was beat up pretty badly last night. Apparently he thought he was going to die… Told Tsunade some pretty interesting stuff," she snickered.

"Oh. That's all I need to do? Get him to shut up? Problem solved."

"No, actually, that's not all," Shizune said. "We need you to get him to stay for another night. He's not all the way healed."

"Oh, boy. Well, let's take care of the easy part first, shall we?"

Sakura walked into the Hokage's office. Tsunade was digging through drawers and throwing around scrolls muttering, "It's in here somewhere. I know it. I'm sure of it. I'd gamble my next pay check on it."

"Then I hope you like begging for food," Sakura stated, letting Tsunade know she was there. "There's none left in the office. But, if you give me Kakashi's Icha Icha book, I might just give you the bottle of sake I just so happen to be holding in my hand."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kakashi paced the length of his room. How could he have been so stupid? Of course he wasn't dying! It would take a lot more than that to kill the infamous Copy Ninja! And he had to go and open his big mouth and spill the one secret that he can't allow Sakura to find out.

Tsunade is probably gambling my secret away, right at this very moment, he thought.

A knock sounded at the door and he childishly turned his back to it and complained, "If you're not going to give it to me, you can just leave."

The presence came uncomfortably close to his ear and seductively whispered, "What if I do want to give it to you?" Kakashi shivered. He'd know that voice anywhere. He whirled around.

"You," he said.

"You," Sakura replied. Both were quiet for a moment.

Kakashi swallowed. Maybe she didn't know what he was talking about. Maybe… Maybe she when she said she wanted to give it to him, she meant that she wanted to give it to him. As in sexually. Kakashi's gaze traveled down to her chest, and his one visible eye widened. What he wouldn't give to be able to touch them right now…

"Well? Do you want me to give it to you?" Sakura asked. She knew what he was thinking and, more importantly, where he was looking. She had had feelings for him that went deeper than friendship for quite some time now. Ever since she watched him lay on his couch while she cleaned she had wanted to straddle his hips and reenact a few scenes from one of her racier romance novels. Sometimes she thought he liked her, too, but other times she thought he just liked her chest a little more than he should.

"Do I ever," Kakashi whispered, moving closer to her.

"Well then, here you go," she said, reaching into her bag and thrusting Icha Icha out towards him.

Kakashi was stunned. So she wasn't talking about sex. Of course not, you old pervert! Recovering quickly, he reached out to grab the book. Sakura jerked it away.

"Not so fast, Kakashi-sensei," she mocked. "I'll make a bet with you."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow to show he was listening.

"We'll play a game of shogi," she motioned to the board on the end table next to Kakashi's bed. If you win, I'll give you Icha Icha and allow you to leave the hospital in peace. But, if I win…"

"If you win," he prodded.

"If I win, you agree to stay in the hospital. I know, I know, you hate hospitals, but I'll even stay and keep you company."

Kakashi thought for a second. "Okay."

Cha! Sakura thought. This is too easy! Kakashi's such a sucker for his lame books. Doesn't he remember that I'm a master at shogi?

Kakashi set up the board and sat down. He motioned to the chair across from him and when she sat down he said, "You can go first."

Too easy, he thought to himself, smiling behind his mask.

The two then began the game, playing silently except for the occasional "Cha!" or grunt when either Sakura or Kakashi captured a piece.

"It's down to the end, Kakashi," Sakura said. "Do you have what it takes? Do you? I don't think you do."

Kakashi looked at the board. The way she was acting made him study the board carefully. Sure enough, there was one move that he could make to win the game. She must be trying to distract him.

She's terrible at this game, Kakashi thought to himself. Great until the end, where she folds in excitement to win. Icha Icha was glaring at him from Sakura's lap. Kakashi weighed his options and made his move.

"Cha!" Sakura exclaimed. "You sure suck at this game, Kakashi. You could've won right there. I can't believe you didn't catch my mistake! And now," Sakura made her move, "I win!"

Kakashi looked at the board and smiled. "That you did. But I'll beat you next time!"

"Please, Kakashi. Don't joke. The last time you beat me at shogi was seven years ago. When I was thirteen."

Kakashi shrugged noncommittally.

"I guess you'll just have to stay in the hospital and put up with me all night," Sakura smirked, celebrating her victory.

Behind his mask, Kakashi could only grin.

"Great," he said sarcastically, while inwardly…

Inwardly, he really meant it.

Please review!!