The Way of the Sword

A Naruto fanfiction, By Serenanna

Lesson 01 – The Hips Don't Lie

Warnings and Disclaimers: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. I'm just borrowing them to play with. I'll return them later, promise. There is adult content, and sexual situations in this story involving sharp, pointy objects. So, if you're under 18, leave now before your virgin eyes are scarred forever, if you're over 18, enjoy!

Story Notes: This is a Kakashi/Sakura fic, while other pairings may come and go. Yeah, I know, I've gone to the dark side of not sticking to canon like I usually do, and boy was it good on the way over! This story is a continuation of Ronsmyhero's Respect and Understanding. Reading that fic is a good idea in order to understand this one, but I will try to gloss over the important stuff. It is being written with her knowledge and stamp of approval. In case she ever makes her own sequel, this is an AU take then. I know a fanfic of a fanfic probably isn't a good idea, but I'm giving it a whirl. Ronsmyhero, this is in honor of you. To that end, I am making an OC to be Yajima's replacement, and the way this story is shaping, he will be paired with Sasaki. Outside of the basics of the Naruto world, I'm a complete newbie. If this fic breaks a lot of canon as far as the combat goes, I'm sorry. The style of sword combat I'm going with will try to be semi-realistic. If that's against canon, again, I'm sorry. I'm trying here. I don't know how long this'll run. Hell, I don't even know how long I can stretch out this plot or even if it has a point. Eventually it will have a point, I think. We'll see. Lemons of various shapes and sizes will abound along with mild drama, angst, buckets of humor, raunchiness, fluff, and action. This is your fair warning.


It was early in the morning the following day when Sakura made it back to the training grounds behind the ANBU Headquarters. It was much too early for this as a scowl marred her high forehead. She was dressed and equipped by eight that morning only because Kakashi had awakened her. Well, not so much awakened her but left a note on his pillow and set the alarm clock for seven. His new habit of leaving the house before she was even conscious was becoming annoying since she enjoyed waking up with his strong arms draped over her. And as if the note that he had left wasn't troublesome enough, the instructions he left on it made her both curious and anxious. That wasn't a good condition to leave her in.

She was suppose to meet him at half past eight in her normal uniform along with a packed lunch, extra bottles of water, another spare uniform, and her sword. He hadn't said to pack light, so it wasn't a trip he had planned, and he had underlined 'sword', twice. Sighing, she took a seat on a spot of grass while pondering why her sword was suddenly so important. Maybe she should have told him that she wasn't interesting in training with it anymore. Then maybe she could enjoy their leave a little more with fewer angry cuts needing healing. Leaning back on the palms of her hands, the pink-haired kunoichi closed her emerald eyes, listening to the breeze around her as her thoughts drifted.

It hadn't felt like leave with how much she'd worked the day before, and even that night Kakashi had been . . . distracted. It was the kind of distracted that didn't involve her. Perhaps she should have been angry with him, but oddly enough, she wasn't. If he wanted to root around their weapon locker for an hour or so, that was his business. It wasn't like she could help in that small of space, and when she had offered, he'd warded her off from peeking. At least he wasn't reading. "Thank Kami-sama for small favors," she muttered to herself before turning towards her sword.

Idly, her fingers traces the rose quartz inlaid on the ebony sheath in pattern that resembled trailing cherry blossoms. Why didn't they just tattoo her name on it? It didn't matter though since it was still a beautiful sword. The fittings were all in silver plated steel from the cross-guard to the counter balance. There were even tiny rose quartz dragon charms on the ivory hilt that acted at grips for her hands under black braided cord wrapped over top. Sitting up again, she slowly pulled the short blade from the sheath, examining it in the sunlight. All along the sharp edge of the straight length was a faint wave in the metal. It was soothing the longer she looked at it, watching the way the morning light gleamed on the steel. This weapon belonged in the hands of a master, not a novice like her. It was almost a pity to give it up, but if she was never going to be good at it . . .

She jumped as there was a 'poof' behind her, slamming the sword back in the sheath as she looked around. The breath she held came out in a slow exhale as she looked straight up to see silver hair bent over her, blocking the sunlight, "Yo."

"You're early?" she asked as a grin beamed across her face. Inner Sakura was too busy dying of shock to notice the actual time. Kakashi smirked under face mask, dropping the small pack he carried next to her, "I'm not early, and you're somewhat late."

"But you're on time then! I didn't have to wait hours! I think I'm feeling faint," she said, fanning herself with a jittery hand in theatrics. A sandaled foot kicked her armored shin as he passed around in front, prompting a giggle from her. Sakura didn't move, watching as he turned his back to her and started fiddling with a short sword strapped onto the back of his vest. The scabbard was ebony inlaid with ivory in the pattern of a pack of dogs that matched the pommel. There was no hand guard at all on the blade while the hilt was wrapped in white braided cord over onyx. He never wore a sword before, yet she knew he had at least two after spying the weapons in a box when he moved in.

Experimentally, the ninja drew the blade. With a smooth flip of his wrist, Kakashi idly spun the weapon over the back of his glove and into his grip again. After the third flip, he sheathed it again with a grunt of satisfaction as Sakura's eyes widened. The thought hadn't occurred to her before that her lover actually knew how to use the sword till she was suddenly watching him handle it as well as he handled everything else, masterfully. The sight was as stimulating as it was unusual, for Kakashi at least. And sexy as hell, Inner Sakura added with an approving nod. What else did he have hidden away? One could only wonder. Her curiosity was getting the better of her as a pink eyebrow arched up, "Why do I have a feeling there's a secondary reason you told me to grab a second uniform?"

"Change in plans, cherry blossom," He said as he grabbed his pack again along with her bundle of clothes and food, "Just you and me today, and a whole lot of training."

She blinked as he started to walk off deeper into the forest. The kunoichi sprung to her feet, sword in hand while running after him. She skidded in her step till she was walking at his shoulder, bent over slightly to look up at his face, "You're training me now? Alone? What about Sasaki? I thought-."

"I . . . was wrong," he grounded out through his teeth, sounding pain. Sakura's green eyes shot wide open. Was she dreaming? Did the Great Copy Ninja and former scourge of her younger years just admit he was wrong? Inner Sakura prodded her that it was perhaps best to double check that he'd actually said that. "I don't think I heard that right, could you say it again? Please?" she asked smiling sweetly at him.

"Sakura . . . You heard me the first time," he said with a scowl, grumbling as he continued, "Apparently, you never got proper martial weapons training, and fumbled your way through it with Sasaki because I ordered her to teach you. I intend to solve that that problem by teaching you myself, the right way."

"I've never seen you use a sword before . . ."

"I did the first time I was in ANBU, wasn't half-bad with them actually. I probably could have given Sasaki a run for her money in my prime, but it's been a few years now . . ." Kakashi admitted as they walked leisurely through the trees, "I just never went back to it after learning so much of everything else."

"So you're rusty?"

"I'm not rusty," he said as his scowl was back, obviously annoyed, "Sword fighting is like all skills, once you learn, properly, you never forget . . . just out of practice, like you."

"But why are 'you' training me then? It's been a while since, well, since you gave anyone one on one instruction, least of all me."

"Maybe it's an excuse to selectively remove your clothes?" Kakashi grinned, obviously teasing as his eye creased. The blush on the kunoichi's face made him chuckle. All these months and she still blushed as soon as sex was involved. Then again, few people in his experience didn't get silly about that particular topic once it was mentioned. Her mouth moved, and he could just hear the word 'pervert' about to slip from her lips before he cut her off, "We both need training in it, so I might as well help you while helping myself. Besides . . . if I really wanted you naked, there are more persuasive methods, like . . ."

He decided to let the suggestion linger in the air between them, enjoying the delicate rosy blush all over her skin too much to ruin it by really being perverted. And yet the more he thought about those extra-curricular activities, the greater the temptation was to forgo training for one day. His self-control slammed the door shut to those thoughts before they developed into actions. There would be time for that later if she didn't surprise him once more and lay him flat on his back. If he'd learned anything about the young woman next to him in their time together since she applied to ANBU, it was not to underestimate her will to get what she wanted. To do otherwise usually had dire consequences in terms of bodily harm and embarrassment. The sound of her voice broke off his thoughts as she asked, "This doesn't have to do with guilt over not teaching me much as a genin, does it?"

He felt like cringing. Did she have to say it so bluntly? It made him feel even guiltier because it was the honest truth.

"I . . . can't say that isn't true exactly, but it's not the whole of my reasons . . ." Kakashi said, trying to skirt around the issue, "It just makes it easier for everyone to do it this way. Besides, I thought you wanted to spend more time with me anyway?"

"Yes, but fighting one another during that time wasn't what I meant . . ." she said, trying not to sound disappointed. No she wasn't disappointed, really, she did want to spend more time with him. Inner Sakura was the one with all those thoughts about quality time with Kakashi involving more intimate forms of fighting. It was with a regretful sigh that she had to put those mental images aside and settle for watching him move past her to climb over a fallen log. At least getting to watch his ass in tight black pants made up for it. "Those, those are coming off later . . ." she muttered to herself, grinning.

"What was that?"

"Um, nothing," she said, smiling sweetly. Glancing over his shoulder at her, Kakashi didn't buy it for a minute. Regardless, they didn't stop walking through the underbrush of the forest. Sakura had fallen silent, watching the sunlight through the trees instead of him as they passed till she asked suddenly, "Why did you leave ANBU the first time, anyway? And why did you go back? It seems . . . like you liked it if you went back to it, I never understood why."

It was Kakahi's turn to fall silent as he considered her questions till he said eventually, "I'll tell you later, but . . . you should be able to guess the answer to the second question of why I went back . . ."

"Oh . . ." Sakura said softly, trying not to wince. She should have thought of that before, that he'd gone back to ANBU after failing as their teacher . . . more specifically, and poignantly, after failing as Sasuke's teacher. It made absolute sense since she'd gone back to training under Tsunade afterwards while Naruto had gone back to Jiraiya as well. Was it guilt that made him risk his life so much? That was one part of his personality she couldn't put past him at all. His capacity to punish himself out of guilt was about as super-human as his abilities as a ninja. Wasn't that why he tried to push her away the first time? Guilt that he couldn't give her what he thought she wanted in life? Oh, was he ever wrong about that, Inner Sakura added with a smirk. He was such an idiot sometimes when it came to relationships, she thought, bringing a gentle smile to her lips. "You know . . ." she started to say, trailing off as she stopped walking.

Kakashi stopped as well, glancing over his shoulder at her as she continued, "You weren't that bad of a teacher, even if you didn't teach me too much on your own. Thinking back on it, you did the best you could when they threw us at you, and who could have predicted how it would have turned out otherwise? I'm glad you were our teacher, so . . . thank you . . ."

For a moment, his mouth had dropped open under the mask in surprise before it snapped shut again. So, she did understand after all, and it made his heart want to burst with pride. Slowly, a grin wavered on his lips that he fought down till it turned into a smirk, his eye creasing happily, "Thank you as well, Sakura, but I'm still going to train you, hard, so get moving. We don't have all day."

He continued walking, picking up the pace a little as she had to run again to keep up, "Ever the hardass, aren't you? Even on leave you're all work, work, work."

The hidden smirk turned into a grin, his reply much too happy to be anything but teasing, "But you still love me anyway, my little cherry blossom, hard ass and all."

Inner Sakura popped up again, wondering if he knew where he was looking when he said that.

She burst out laughing at her own internal joke, staggering away from him before she fell over from the giggles. Kakashi smiled at her, knowing it was probably going to be the last time she was happy with him till they were done training. Eventually they made their way into another clearing, one that was more secluded than their usual grounds just outside Headquarters. She'd gotten her giddy side under control enough not to rock back and forth on the balls of her heels like she used to do while watching him put their things down under a tree. When he returned, her sheath was slipped into the holster on the back of her vest. The straight blade was in her hands, tapping against her leg while pointed towards the ground.

It was exceedingly annoying as his brow furrowed. "First rule, never draw a weapon unless you intend to use it, especially swords," he said as his eyes fixed onto the tap, tap, tap sound she was making.

She stopped fidgeting, standing up straighter while under his scrutiny. The humor had evaporated from around him, the scary side setting in. Regardless of the new nervousness creeping along her back, he smiled, his eyes creasing, "That's better. Swords are meant to kill someone, so don't forget it. Second rule, stance, what did Sasaki teach you?"

Instinctively, Sakura turned sideways slightly, one foot held in front of the other as she pointed the blade towards him. For a moment, Kakashi seemed pleased till she followed his eye down her legs to her feet. He sighed, moving behind her, "Saki can get away with that because her style is different, relying more on the draw, but not you. You're learning basic."

Without any warning, his hands found their way to her hips, making her jump in surprise. She tried to bat his fingers away, slapping the back of his gloves while he forced her legs open, "What do you think you're doing?!"

"Turn your hip, damnit, and stop thinking I'm a pervert!" he snapped at her as she jumped to comply. His foot nudged her back leg, turning it until she stood almost completely sideways except for her shoulders and front foot. He then pushed her hips down till she was forced to crouch slightly with a widened stance. "There," Kakashi said, satisfied as he returned to standing in front of her, "Keep your front foot facing your enemy and the rest of your body as slim as possible. You want to be as small a target as you can be. Stay crouched and ready to move. All a sword has to do is reach you to hurt you in a slice, so stay out of the way as much as possible. Sword fighting isn't taijutsu, so don't hold your ground even while defending. It isn't worth it. That's the third rule, keep moving. Now . . ."

With a sudden movement, his sword was drawn and in his hand, blades crossed while his stance mirrored hers. Sakura's heart leapt in her throat as she looked into his eye. He was serious about this. Her eyes dropped to his feet like they always did now in one on one matches, waiting for him to make the first strike. And yet, it never came. "Where are you looking?" he asked after a long moment, his stance more relaxed.

"Your feet, why?"

"That may work for hand to hand matches, but it doesn't work for weapons. Fourth rule . . . watch your opponent's hips."

The color in Sakura's face rose up enough to match her hair, "Are you telling me to look there!? But Lee said-!"

"I said hips, not crotch. And they call me the pervert," he said with a smirk as her blush deepened. She did bring up a valid point though as he continued, "And when was the last time Lee's mentor beat me in anything combat related?"

Sakura didn't answer since she had no clue at all.

"I didn't think so. Gai's protégé isn't too far off, feet are a start. But, an enemy's hips don't lie about their movement. They'll shift first if your opponent changes direction, which goes back to the third rule."

"Keep moving, I got that point. No wonder Saki always looks like she's dancing when she's fighting."

The analogy brought a grin to Kakashi's face under the mask, "Sword fighting is part dance. It'll probably be the closest we ever get to it, so you better enjoy these sessions."

"You don't dance?" Sakura asked while grinning as well, "I thought it was good for balance, and agility?"

"No, I don't, at least not formally. The tights scared me too much, gave me horrible flashbacks of green monstrosities."

Sakura laughed, nearly dropping her sword arm, and then grinned, "At least you can do the horizontal mambo well enough."

Kakashi's grin quickly turned into a frown as she laughed harder. She was distracting him before he could even finish his mock-lecture. This was troublesome. "You're digressing. The point is to watch the hips, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you feel."

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei."

"Don't call me that."

She giggled at the annoyed gruff in his voice, knowing the term still got to him, "Make me, 'sensei'."

There was a defiant challenge in her green eyes, and it brought a smirk to his face. Apparently, he'd have to beat that word out of her after all. Well, this made training a lot more fun than simply reprimanding her. There was something about a confidant, playful Sakura that shot straight through his heart and right down to his . . . Kakashi's mind put a stop to that thought, reminding him that he was suppose to training her, again, not trying to find a way into her clothes. She giggled, and his brain went back to the lesson before she distracted him again, "If you're quite finished . . ."

"If you're finished staring, I am," she teased. He ignored it, asking instead, "Has Sasaki taught you how to use the armguards?"

"Huh?"

That sounded like a 'no' to him as he sighed, "You didn't think they were just for decorations did you? The bracers we wear are light metal plate like the gloves. You remember how I've blocked swords before using them?"

How could she forget when he fought against Zabuza? It was making sense. Didn't mean she'd let him know of her lapse in memory though, "I knew that! I'm not a complete idiot like Naruto, you know!"

"I never said you were, Sakura," Kakashi said as he smiled casually, causing a blush to creep over her face.

". . . Anything else?"

"No jutsus today, or chakra."

"None? But . . ."

"This is just the first lesson. When you can handle both at once, we'll work on it. Besides, I thought you like a realistic chance at beating me."

Her interest was suddenly piqued. A chance to beat the Copy-nin one on one? Like an ordinary person? Something like that only came once in a blue moon, even if he was handicapping the both of them, "Fine, but no using the sharingan then."

"Then no blasting me with chakra either. I hate that."

"But I thought you'd like it if I got to feed you again?" Sakura giggled as he scowled. She was distracting him again. Usually he got right to the point, but not today, which made his eyebrows knit together in annoyance. "Enough," he said as his eye narrowed on her, "We fight till one of us drops or disarms the other. Got it?"

"Got it . . . Kakashi-sensei," the teasing grin was back on her face. As his face darkened more, Sakura realized she was very much in trouble. Without warning, the silver-haired ninja lunged forward to stab her. Remembering Sasaki's lessons, she parried his strike upwards with a flick of the wrist before shuffling sideways on the grass. Her eyes fell to his hips, watching as he turned. It was enough warning to get her armored forearm up in time to block another shot. The impact reverberated through the plate, but she didn't feel any chakra in his strength. With a grunt, she pushed the Copy-nin back, swinging her sword forward. The blade swished upwards with a twist in her hand, and would have struck his chest if he hadn't leaped back. Instead, the tip of her sword sliced through the shoulder strap on his vest.

At the shocked look in his eye, Sakura grinned. That was easier than she thought. And yet, before she could enjoy the small victory, he struck back, going low. She leaped to the side as the slice brushed her clothes, taking out a small fragment of a pant leg. Gasping, the kunoichi barely recovered quickly enough to parry the second higher draw that would have swept across her chest. Throwing his aim wide with another shout and ringing of steel, she moved in to slash down. Kakashi's arm came up to catch the blow on his bracer, throwing her off as she stumbled to the side. With a squawk, Sakura nearly fell over till she felt him grab her middle, pulling her back against him. "You're not very graceful today," he said into her ear with a chuckle.

She blushed as her anger ratcheted up another notch, knowing there was a smug grin under his mask to match his tone of voice, "And you're too distracted."

Her elbow came back hard into the shinobi's ribs as he fell away from her with a 'oomph'. It was nothing more than a love tap, but it was enough to put Kakashi back on his guard, cursing himself for letting it drop. Rule number two, and his favorite, never let your guard down. Damn, why couldn't he think of that? No matter how much he loved her, they were still sparring. Unless he wanted to be humiliated even worse by his cherry blossom, he wouldn't make the same mistake again. Sakura spun around on her heel, beaming in victory, "We're not done yet, ninja! I will slice every scrap of fabric from you before I have my way with you! That is the only way to regain my lost honor!"

His thoughts of retribution ground to a complete halt.

"Icha Icha Tactics, volume two, page eighty," Kakashi said as a happy grin crept onto his face, remembering that scene in particular. It was Junko's sword fight with the vengeance-seeking kunoichi. Sakura memorized it? And she was using it to distract him again! Damned Ero-sennin and Icha Icha, and damn her for knowing his weakness! With a roar, he leapt forward again, the sword flashing as he struck high in chop that she deflected easily then in a low sweep as she skittered back towards the trees. He didn't let up, not even when his furious swipes forced Sakura's back into a tree. About to strike again, she spun away from the blow. The back of her uniform was not as lucky as the blade caught on her vest and tore the heavy material cleanly in half. Yelping as she tried to move away, her free hand flew to her back to find a wound that wasn't there, just shreds of fabric. She didn't remember that happening in the scene.

Before she could wonder, Kakashi's hand grabbed at the vest, or rather grabbed underneath as the battle was momentarily forgotten. There was a certain smugness in his voice that raised every pink hair on the back of her neck. The hand trying to grab her waist didn't help either, "If I remember correctly, the kunoichi lost that duel with Junko, among other things."

She twisted away from him, sliding out of the vest and cutting through the straps when it came down her sword arm. Hefting the garment overhead, Sakura flung it at the Copy-nin with her scabbard still attached. He had anticipated than already, bringing his sword up to bat the article away. What he didn't expect was that she'd use the opening to try and skewer his legs. He wished he didn't make the no jutsu rule for their duel as he moved out of the way rather ungainly with a hop. The edge of her blade caught outside of his pants though, sheering a large rent in them from mid-thigh to hip. Sakura turned around to see him staring at her, his dark eye large as he yelled, "I told you to watch the hips, not aim for them!"

Despite herself, she giggled till it was cut off by his sword swinging towards her. Focused on the battle again, she raised her arm to block it, pushing him off as she stabbed forward. Kakashi bent out of the way as his free hand shot out to grab the wrist of her sword arm. With a jerk, Sakura was pulled forward, closer to his arms and sword. She ducked and rolled away before he could grab her again then started to spring to her feet. The silver-haired ninja turned as well and angrily chopped downwards, catching her too quickly while she was still low. Falling back onto her rump as she blocked him, the kunoichi let instinct take over as she kicked at his legs. His hand caught her foot just as she thought, allowing her to press off and flip backwards till she was back on her feet.

Before she could orient herself completely, Kakashi's sword flashed before her. She barely dodged the blow, catching her shirt across the stomach in another rip. Ignoring it, she spun when his slice propelled him past her, giving her an opening as she chopped downward at his back. It would have hit if he hadn't brought the blade up over his back to parry. Growling, Sakura's sword locked against his as she brought her free hand up to reinforce her grip. He was stronger than her, even with both hands. Her sandals slide on the grass. She was never going to beat him like this unless she put chakra into her strikes. Damn his rules! The kunoichi's arms started to shake slightly as she held him off. She had to think fast. What else could she use? Her kunai were still strapped to her thigh, but so was his. What happened next in the duel in his books? Suddenly, her green eyes widened. "You forgot one thing about that duel," she ground out through her gritted teeth.

Turning to face her while keeping their blades crossed, the ninja looked at her curiously, trying to remember the rest of the scene she had quoted. What could he forget? He knew all those books by heart . . . almost. Junko won that one like every other supposed 'duel' with a woman, and always got his way with them in the end. What was his cherry blossom getting at? "What?" he asked as he scowled, trying not to sound as dumb as he felt, "He still won."

His eyes moved off her hips up to her face, looking into her green eyes before noticing the grin on her face. He knew that grin, the impish one that came over her whenever she was up to no good. Sakura's strength surged a moment as she pressed closer to him, one leg suddenly moving between his. All he could see was her eyes flickering with maddening mirth, like she'd already won. Kakashi growled back at her, but she wasn't even fazed by the noise. Her breath slid over his ear, a whisper, "But he lost his pants."

Now he remembered, the kunai that almost castrated Junko, "Oh, shit."

The ninja jumped up and away from her, but it was too late. As he moved, there was a tearing sound followed by a definite draft over his crotch. Sakura's eyes were glue downward on his body, the kunai twirling on her finger. She didn't? She couldn't have? But looking down, he knew that she had, and did, staring at the hole cut straight through his pants. "Shit . . ." Kakashi cursed, the battle completely forgotten now, "Am I ever glad you missed."

Sakura burst out laughing, lowering her sword slightly. Her eyes never left his exposed parts due to lack of underwear and not just missing bits of fabric, "Who says I missed?"

He looked back at her in shock from her words as she laughed even harder, slight bent over and wheezing for breath when she wasn't openly leering. Blinking, he then noticed that her guard was down. Rule number two again, never let your guard down, even in the face of naked enemies. For a moment, Kakashi grinned, figuring that while he may have lost the battle, the war was in the bag.

Moving before she could realize her mistake, and while her attention was on his naked crotch, he tackled her. Sakura shrieked, not expecting the forced hug at all as they toppled over. His body landed on top hers while her back hit the grass, and yet, he didn't crush her. The weapons had fallen from their hands but neither of them moved to grab their swords. He chuckled darkly, succumbing to the temptation of purposefully lying down on top of her. For a few seconds after the fall, all Sakura could feel was him above her, pressed into her hip. Wait a moment, why was he against her hips? It took her all of two moments of dazed thoughts to realize exactly which parts of the ninja were pressed against her, and exactly how aroused he was getting because of it.

"Ka-ka-shi!" she screamed, kicking furiously as she felt his hands pinning her arms to her side, "This isn't a time for-!"

"You're the one who cut the crotch out of my pants. I took it as a sign."

"You're the one who went without underwear! How was I to-?!"

"You've been staring all day, it was driving me crazy."

"And you haven't been too, you per-?!"

"Yes, but I wasn't distracted by it."

Kami-sama, he was right, he was a horrible distraction to her. She hated that he was always right. Even his staring at her like it was all her fault they ended up like this didn't help. The blood rushed to Sakura's face as she quickly turned a deeper shade of pink than her hair. His hips flex down, and the color only got stronger and purpler as she held her breath. The Great Copy Ninja groaned as she tried to wiggle out from under him, unconsciously hitting all the right places. His masked face nuzzled her neck, and she gasped, feeling the fabric roll down over his nose. She still fought him, just a little weaker now as his hands slid up to her shoulders. "Bastard . . ." Sakura grounded out as he chuckled.

"Let it go, Sakura, I am for one . . ."

She squirmed again, not about to give in . . . till his sticky fingers grasped a bound breast, fondling it. Inner Sakura raised her hands in defeat then fled. This time she was thoroughly alone in dealing with him. A moan was forced from her throat and his chuckle grew darker, "You know, I don't think we've ever done it while still in uniform."

The kunoichi squeaked, sounding not too unlike a trapped mouse, "And if we get caught!? The commander and Tsunade-sensei will have our heads!"

"We're shinobi. We do it quickly, quietly, and from behind," Kakashi said as his eye creased, looking more devilish than happy. Sakura's blush radiated pink all over her skin. That was a potent line, and vaguely familiar. "Didn't Genma say that before?" she asked before moaning as he placed cloth-covered kisses on the collar of her shirt.

He grinned, stopping long enough to pull his mask down completely, "Well, if it works . . ."

Sakura gasped then glared in righteous fury, shoving him off of her while beating his back and shoulder, "Never use that senbon-sucking freak's pick-up lines on me again, Hatake!"

He laughed as she tried to roll away from him, only managing to get onto her side when he grabbed her around the abdomen, hauling her back against him. "You're staying right here," Kakashi whispered in her ear as she froze.

Why did he have to use that tone of voice? The authoritative, seductive one that made her toes curls and her resistance crumble to dust? He knew it made her weak to him.

Succumbing to her fate, Sakura moaned, struggling in a different way as one gloved hand pulled at the tear in her black shirt while the other delved into her pants. She could feel his lips on her neck and jaw, kissing there when she really wanted that mouth on top of hers. His fingers quickly found their way past her underwear to her folds, touching her as she sucked in a sharp breath. The kunoichi arched her back into his chest, her hands searching for some part of him to cling onto. With a loud rip, her shirt was torn asunder up to her throat, the black fabric hanging limp across her torso. His kisses became a bite on her shoulder as his hand rubbed her center harder, making her twist and turn against his chest. He'd barely started and already she could feel the dampness covering the inside of her panties as well as his hand.

Sakura reached back into his grey hair, yanking away his forehead protector-cum-eye-patch. If it hurt, he didn't show it except to growl into the burning skin he nibbled on. Pulling her back tightly, his hips pressed incessantly into hers to alleviate some of the ache. He wanted nothing better than to rip her pants off as well and pound into her, but that was too easy. In things between them, he never wanted to do anything easy or lazy, a first for his habits. The tension of waiting thundered in his pulse, knowing she could feel how hard he was through the layers covering her still. His pink-haired lover shuddered as his fingers slid into her, knuckles bent to grasp the tender flesh. She fought to push more of herself onto his hand, the rough cloth of his gloves stroking her clit with each touch. Writhing, Sakura moaned his name breathlessly. At the sound of it, he knew he wasn't going to last long without going mad if he didn't have her.

Suddenly, the warmth of his chest on her back was gone, replaced with grass poking at her. His hands and lips touching her were gone too, leaving her wanting so much more. And yet, she wasn't disappointed for long as Kakashi leaned down, pressing between her legs again. Sakura's hands latched onto his silver hair as he kissed her deeply, intent on possessing as much of her mouth as he could claim. Whining slightly into his lips, she wished she'd cut more of his vest off, the bulky material chaffing against her skin. It was coming off now one way or another. Pulling hard on the straps, the entire side came loose under her fingers with a snap. Wordlessly, the ninja pulled away and sat up on the back of his legs to slip the cloth armor over his head, tossing it aside with a dull thud in the grass. Before he could stop her, Sakura's greedy hands lifted the tight black shirt with attached mask he wore underneath to kiss his chest. Her lips on the exposed skin stopped him from even thinking, holding her to him.

The kunoichi pushed him back till he toppled over, retaliating by dragging her back down with him. Kakashi groaned as her mouth latched onto a nipple, not about to argue if she wanted her way for now. He wanted her, but this, this was just as good, if he could survive whatever she did to him. How she'd learned so much on how to please him, he'd probably never know. Maybe it was because he couldn't keep his hands off of her between missions, or Icha Icha's fault. But as her teeth grazed his skin then stopped to suck, the only thing he could think about was fire in his blood and how quickly it burned through for her. It never was easy just being around her, not after wanting her so much, and now having her.

Sakura slid her gloved hands down over Kakashi's abdomen, making him hiss as the harden ridges of muscles sprung into definition under her fingers with each breath he took. Sakura grinned against his chest, possessiveness dancing in her green eyes as she watched him squirm under her. To think for all those years how he'd kept that hard, if a bit scarred, body under the wraps of a shapeless jounin uniform, letting only a select few women see it for one time only. Now, the view was all hers alone. The thought alone sent as much of a pleasurable thrill through her as his touch. He really was turning her into a pervert. Moaning, she sunk lower, kissing his stomach as he laid practically paralyzed. Her hands brushed over his hips, making him almost jump in anticipation of being touched.

The Copy-nin's mismatched eyes squinted shut as her hand wrapped over him, choking back another rumble from deep in his chest. She was so glad she decided to cut this particular hole in his pants. Firmly, Sakura moved the skin back and forth over his length, eliciting groans from him that sounded almost against his will. His hips tried to press up in her grip, sweat growing on his skin till his silver hair started to stick to his brow. Kakashi was nearly shaking as she nibbled on his stomach, her tongue dipping into his navel. Oh was she ever glad he taught her how he liked to be touched, harder and firmer than she expected, but his reactions were worth the effort. This had to be the height of power, watching one of the greatest ninja's Konoha ever produced slowly losing control of himself because of her. His hands, which had been tearing at the grass to vent his frustrations, pulled on her strawberry pink hair, forcing her to meet his eyes, "Sakura . . ."

He didn't have to say anything else to get his point across. He needed her, now, or at least as fast as she could ditch their clothes. Sakura sat up and let go of him while he tried to get up as well. And yet, her hands stopped him rising must further than onto his elbows, gathering the material of his pants in her petite fists instead, "You're too over dressed for this."

He felt it, a subtle flow of chakra to her hands, and then a sharp yank.

The ripping sound was horrendous as the black fabric gave way under her strength, helped by the large tears her sword had already made in the material. As the remains fell from her hands, Kakashi stared in shock, finding his voice was somewhere long gone with any coherent thought. He probably should have been afraid of how easily she'd torn through his pants, but his body had the complete opposite reaction, as if it was possible to want her any more. The same reaction went through Sakura as well as she started pulling at her own clothes, only to be stopped when he grabbed her.

Well, the silver-haired ninjas didn't so much grab her as he did pounce and tumble till she ended back up where they started, flat on her back in the grass. He was pressed against her once more, making her shudder. She could feel his hardness against her center, only this time more acutely aware of the barriers between them. When he started to move, she wanted to wish away all the layers of clothes, cursing herself for not undressing sooner before driving him this far. Maybe she could cut the rest off. Kunai, kunai, where were her kunai? That was a question she knew the answer too, just too preoccupied as he kissed her roughly to think on it for more than a sliver of a moment. They were strapped to her thigh still. She could feel the straps rubbing into his leg. Moaning, she tried to reach for one only to have her hands grabbed and forced to the dirt above her head. "Damnit, can't wait," Kakashi ground out between heavy breaths, "Trust me . . . just, move."

Guess he wasn't that interested in pulling off more of her clothes or stopping after all as his hips ground into hers. She did as he asked, trusting him. His grip on her arms broke with a grunt, holding himself above her instead while one hand guided her hips. She was almost beside herself. Even her inner self couldn't explain what she was feeling. It felt so close to feeling him inside her, but . . . not. He had to know what he was doing to her, the constant friction as maddening as it was delicious. Each thrust against Sakura made her cling to him more desperately, crying out into the fabric of his shirt and half-bare chest. She arched under him, struggling against the wave of heat blazing in her center. Her gloved hands tore at his back, the effect of her nails deadened. Kakashi hissed at the scraping yet was undeterred, sweat rolling off them both to add to the potent scent in the air. She was soaking wet. He could feel the slickness seep through the fabric and onto his loins, making it easier to move faster and harder.

His cherry blossom just about screamed after a particularly aggressive grind, knowing he was pressed right into her folds and clit. Smartly, she bit his shoulder hard to muffle the sound, almost breaking skin. Like most pain, Kakashi ignored it completely, sole intent on remaining in check long enough to satisfy her. It was a matter of pride no matter how he ached for release, to never leave her anything but satisfied. Sakura wasn't making that task easy as she arched again, her hands grabbing his rear in retaliation. He nearly collapsed at the touch, but didn't stop moving, groaning as his head hit the ground next to hers. With a growl of effort, the ninja pushed harder to be rewarded in the sounds she made, half-drunk on the pleasure. He'd never get tired of hearing her voice calling just for him. She was close, feeling it in the shake of her hands and the hitch in her breath. But then again so was he, dangling by a wire waiting to be snapped. Kakashi kissed her again, quick and desperately, as one more thrust sent her over the edge.

Sakura this time did scream into his mouth, clenching tightly around him as she came. Her body arched on its own and at a terrible angle if he'd seen it, as if trying to melt with him in the heat. Not soon after, he joined her, burying similar cries in her delicate neck once he tore himself away from her lips. His seed sprayed over the black fabric covering her mound, mixing with the wetness already staining it. The grey-haired ninja barely stayed up on his elbows, feeling absolutely boneless while lying on top of his Sakura. That's right, she was his. There was such a nice ring to that word, 'his'. He wasn't going to get tired of repeating it any time soon, even if it was a word he said only to himself.

A possessive little grin came to Kakashi's lips while listening to her ragged breath and racing pulse slow down to something resembling normalcy. He probably wasn't much better. His grin only widened. This was by far the best idea for training he'd ever had in his lousy career as a sensei. Despite himself, he gave a small chuckle that stopped as soon as the pink-haired kunoichi stirred under him. "I can't feel my legs . . ." she moaned.

Not that he would ever admit it, but neither could he. It was a good thing she couldn't see his face at the moment as his grin was positively Naruto-stupid. Sobering up, and feeling the numbness fade away, Kakashi tried to get up, only to be pulled back down again, "No, stay."

"Sakura . . ." he started to say before giving in as she hugged his neck. He collapsed again, shifting enough not to crush her with his weight. His face nuzzled her neck with a groan, and she giggled, "You know . . . maybe we should try it with our clothes still on another time, that wasn't too bad."

He grinned, "You're corrupted."

"It's all your fault."

"I know. I wouldn't have it any other way," the ninja said as she giggled again, his face tickling her neck with kisses, "And that concludes the lesson for today . . ."

"Already?" Sakura asked, nearly whining. He put his head up, a look of disbelief across his face. Didn't she have enough? Ok, so maybe his self-control was lacking when he should have been training her, but still, she started it. Kakashi frowned at how childish that thought was, just imagining the words coming out of Naruto's mouth and not his. But well . . . it wasn't like they could keep training in tattered rags regardless of her enthusiasm.

"You ripped my pants off."

"You ripped my shirt wide open, we're even," she said as her arms loosened their grip, starting to wiggle out from under him with a sigh, "We're not going to do this every day are we? What about the rest of the squad? At least, I thought we'd have time to ourselves . . ."

She didn't get very far. The silver-haired shinobi pushed her back down, staring into her green eyes. Using the back of his fingers, he slid a damp lock of strawberry hair off of her face, "Don't think like that. This is still our leave. I'll . . . try to make it feel like it, if that's what you want."

He pressed a kiss against her temple, and the gesture brought a sweet smile to the kunoichi's face along with a slight blush, "I suppose training each day can't be too bad if we keep ending up like this . . . but no more ripping uniforms. The quartermaster will kill us if we need new clothes every couple of days, and these things aren't exactly ideal for summer weather."

"If we do keep ending up like this, I don't think I'll survive the month let alone two," Kakashi said, shifting stiffly against her while groaning, "Weekends off. I'll need it to re-cooperate, maybe curl up with a good book."

The back of her hand swatted his shoulder, but he didn't even flinch. He chuckled at the peevish expression on her face, frowning while pointedly ignoring his very existence. It was hard to do seeing as how he was still naked on top of her. The look was wiped from her face as his arms slid under her back, tightening in a hug. She sighed while his grin widened and his mismatched eyes creased. The look was almost an imitation of Naruto's childish expressions, but the ridiculousness was worth it. Sakura's anger softened.

Slowly, he was finding out her weaknesses, like how she couldn't stay mad at him for long when he acted this cute. Or, like how irresistible he looked just out of the shower or in uniform. It called for retaliation, not that it was even possible to find a weak point on the great Copy Ninja. Well . . . maybe there was one, herself. "You owe me at least three dates during this break, no excuses this time."

Kakashi's face fell, barely keeping from cringing at her ultimatum. Dates meant nights where they didn't stay at home, didn't eat at the Ichiraku with Naruto and Hinata, and didn't go drinking with the rest of their jounin friends. The dates themselves weren't the problem; his almost constant cancellations of them were. "It wasn't an excuse that I missed the last one since I wasn't even here to provide a reason. Tsunade-sama sent us out just as you were getting in. I barely had time to pack," he said, but she didn't look convinced at all.

"That's why you leave notes at least. I leave you letters before each mission if you aren't there, don't I? And you always read them. I know you keep them, but you never do the same for me."

"I know, I know, I . . . Well, it doesn't matter anymore, does it?" He asked, trying to hide his guilt.

Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes up towards the sky, "No, I suppose it doesn't since we're practically joined at the hip now, Captain."

"In more ways than one," he said with a smirk that made her giggle before continuing, "Three dates then, to make up for the last one I missed, and one night a week we're going to the bar, even if I have to drag you."

"Deal, but I get to sit on your lap."

"What are you, twelve again?"

"You never let me sit on your lap even when I was twelve," she said as Kakashi's face dissolved into a pained look. He groaned, banging his head in the grass as she laughed. "That wasn't funny, Sakura," he muttered, "I had enough trouble as it was back then with half the village thinking I was corrupting demon-spawn with my perverted ways, literally. Last thing I needed on my conscious was questions regarding your honor."

"Oh please, Jiraiya did a better job influencing Naruto's own perverted quirks than you could have ever dreamed. That is, if I believe Hinata's tales, not that I even wanted to hear them in the first place. I swear, one cup of sake in her, and she gushes enough about her Naruto-kun to make me blush. I'm almost glad he knocked her up again so all the kunoichi gatherings are non-alcoholic. It's amazing how Chouji broke down to Ino, married her, and got her pregnant too within a year. Pig's getting big almost as big as he is now, and so is Tenten too. Gai must be proud that he'll have a third generation of green wearing terrors to train. Even Temari said she was when she and Shika-kun were visiting last . . ."

She was rambling again, almost as bad as Ino. "But this is all moot, mind you," Sakura added after a moment, "Remember how you let me sit on you while you did push-ups? Like that wasn't mildly perverted in a way."

Kakashi tried not to grin but couldn't help it at the mention of the second spawn of Konoha's loudest, hyper-active, idiotic, and rapidly reproducing shinobi. It didn't surprise him at all that the Hyuuga's little princess was once more growing a child in her womb that would take on his former student's wonderful personality traits. Most of the kunoichi of her generation were well on the way to having kids, or at least somewhat settled down. And then there was the two of them. In a few months when her friends would be conversing about diapers, she'd be back on missions alongside him. Children . . . it was a good thing they agreed not to have them, but he couldn't help wondering . . .

But Sakura was right. His past point was moot, given their current relationship, and the push-ups. Now that he did think about it, it was kind of perverted having her lounging on his back while exercising, "You have a point there . . . You liked that?"

"Well . . . it gave me an impression of how strong you were . . ." Sakura said as a blush lit up across her face, "Which was really, really strong . . ."

The growing grin on Kakahi's face wavered between flattered and increasingly licentious at her admission. She could just tell he was getting an idea, and she knew it wasn't going to be a good one. The grin was getting to her as Inner Sakura reminded her that not only was he naked, but he was still an ass. "You never did answer me what you're going to do about the rest of our squad," she asked, deciding a change of subject was needed before his mind jumped tracks again, "I barely even know the new guy, Takeo."

"Good, I don't want you to 'know' him," he said with a tone that almost sounded jealous to her. Kakashi? Audibly jealous over her? Yeah, it was love alright. The thought brought a warm smile to Sakura's face, prompting her to pull him down for a kiss. She had meant it to be quick, and chaste, but he had other ideas. As soon as the kunoichi's lips touched his, he fell onto her, grasping her face in both hands to hold her still. The soft murmurs in the back of her throat were playing havoc with his thoughts again, knowing exactly where this was headed once more if they didn't stop. Torn, the ninja pulled away, panting. Sakura smiled under him, her emerald eyes dancing in delight, as if she knew a secret just begging to be shared. "You are jealous . . ." she sounded in awe, the smile only getting more brilliant.

Kakashi snorted in derision. Normally, the dazzling look on her face would have stopped him in his tracks, but it proved to be ineffective in the face of his would pride. "I am not jealous . . ." he said with a deep frown that nearly looked like a pout on his handsome face, "I just don't want you picking up his jutsu. I don't think Konoha could handle a kunoichi that possessed your beauty, his irresistible technique, and my more endearing qualities."

Her smile broke into a happy laugh, kissing him again before the scowl he wore through his small rant stuck. Slowly, he let it go along with letting her roll them over till she straddled his hips. She pulled away, sitting up with a smug look on her face while pointing a declaratory finger at him, "Liar."

"That I may be, but we both know the pretty-boy is taken by Sasaki, so whatever point you have is useless." Shifting under her, he seethed at little at the thought of the second male on their four man crew. Ever since Takeo was assigned to Dragon Team, he'd seen more than enough action from the long-haired man while on missions to fill a couple Icha Icha volumes. Why oh why couldn't he have been assigned someone less unusual in power, and missions more inclined towards violence. Battles he could handle with finesse, but undercover espionage work was not his forte. Dealing with someone who specialized in such a field wasn't his department either. Maybe Tsunade-sama was punishing him for nearly getting himself and his cherry blossom killed. He couldn't put it past the old woman to use that as an excuse to turn his screws a little.

"I don't like it," Kakashi said as his pink-haired lover slowly leaned down to settle herself against his chest, his shirt stuck under his armpits, "The Hokage must be purposefully turning Dragon Team into the Seduction Squad, probably out of revenge for my idiotic mistakes with you. It's a miracle the commander let me get you reassigned without her putting her foot down personally."

"Don't you think you're overestimating Tsunade-sensei just a little?"

"Overestimating the abilities and motives of the Godaime and a one of the Legendary Three Sannin, who just happens to be your beloved mentor? . . . I don't think that's possible, even for me," he said as she slapped his shoulder again, "Sakura . . ."

"Hey, you're the one that drilled me in team unity. I should get to know him, and from the way you sound, so should you . . . this is about the first time anything sexual in nature has gotten you remotely uncomfortable."

"Not true. My self-proclaimed rival shacking up with the trench coat wearing terror made me plenty uncomfortable just thinking about them," he protested as she dissolved into giggles, banging her head on his chest, "I am eternally grateful they split up months ago, or we'd have to endure more of them making out over too much sake. I almost think that whole affair happened over too much sake"

"We're no better."

"But at least we find shadowy corners, except that one time . . ."

"I heard Anko went back to random flirtations again. The latest is that she's stuck going back and forth between Genma and Iruka, especially the latter after he broke up with Ayame. So sad . . ."

"They need to be warned them before she screws them both over quite literally . . ."

"I didn't know you cared."

"I don't, but when it all crumbles, who are they going to drag out to drink their sorrows away? Not like Genma would need me much, three rounds of sake and he'll hit on anything remotely female."

He gave an aggravated growl at that thought, and she giggled again. It didn't seem like he could ever win with his choice of friends. Who needed enemies when he got enough torture from those he got drunk with? "Kakashi?" Sakura asked softly after going silent a few moments.

She was nestled quite well against his half-covered chest, her head at the bend of his neck. The sound of her voice propelled his thoughts back from wandering off. It was amazing how their conversations just rambled along sometimes without point. Maybe he was getting old and senile. "Kakashi?" she asked again, not so softly.

"Huh?"

"Thank you . . ."

"You're welcome."

He didn't have the slightest clue what so ever of how exactly he had earned her thanks, but accepted it all the same. In the few months they'd been together, he'd learned a lot about relationships with women, including that if they were happy not to question it. And with how tightly, Sakura was snuggled against him, she was very, very happy. "Kakashi?" she asked softly, the sound of her voice making him grin again.

"Huh?"

"You need a bath . . . and I'm hungry . . ."

His grin fell, even if she had a point. Groaning, he sat up with the young woman firmly latching onto his chest. Her grip didn't feel like it was going to break anytime soon. "I'm not carrying you home, Sakura," the ninja said, her powerful hold turning nearly suffocating at his words.

This was annoying, and troublesome, if a bit cute, "Let go or I'll apply the Sennen Goroshi no jutsu right up your ass."

The threat was useless he realized as soon as he'd said it, given she could render his arms useless without even thinking anymore. She wiggled against his body, almost daring him to try. His anger rose steadily, but dropped to nothing as she mumbled into his neck, ". . . love you, Ka-ka-shi."

It was his undoing; those simple words boosting his ego to profound heights, and making him feel like a complete fool at the same time. He was going soft, damnit. "Love you too, cherry blossom, we'll take the quick way home," he said, rubbing the back of her neck in reassurance, "Hold on tight."

Lifting her up as if she weighed nothing, Kakashi got to his feet with the kunoichi still clinging to his chest. He barely noticed the added weight at as he picked up their weapons, fallen clothing, and other items, including the uneaten lunch she'd made for them. Damn, what a waste. It probably tasted good too. "This isn't happening tomorrow, you know," the ninja said as he tried not to scowl when she giggled at him, "We train till we drop, or else. And no ending up in grassy heaps either."

"Tell me about it later, after I'm clean and fed."

"Spoiled brat," he muttered as she snuggled him happily. For a twenty-five year old woman, she did have her childish moments, reminding him immensely of the little girl he knew, but . . . he wouldn't have traded any part of her for the world. "Don't worry. I still need a bath toy," Sakura said with a muffled giggle.

His grin widened, slinging the pack over his shoulder, "I am the luckiest man in the world."

Moments later, they were gone from the glade with only a fall of cherry blossoms and wisps of smoke left to tell that anyone had been there at all.


Jutsus Used/Mentioned –

Sennen Goroshi (Thousand Years of Death)

To Be Continued in Lesson 02 of The Way of the Sword, Hell's Bells.