Chapter Two

Morning rays had been streaming through her window for hours when Sakura finally opened her eyes. I had the strangest dream. She thought as she snuggled closer to Sasuke. SASUKE! She woke up abruptly; Sasuke dumped me two weeks ago. So who is this?

As she propped herself up and peeked at the face belonging to the warm body holding hers. Kakashi! So that wasn't a dream. I wonder how he got so hurt, and why he came here. Pondering, she lay back down. He must have sensed she had moved because Kakashi rewrapped his arms around her and snuggled closer to her, pulling her back against him.

"Uhhhhn." He moaned as the pain of the motion kicked in. "Sakura? Why are you in my bed? And why does everywhere hurt so much?" But he didn't move to release her.

"You showed up on my doorstep late last night, as to how you got there… I was hoping you knew." Sakura pulled out of his grasp, turning to face him. She found her face much closer to hers than she had expected, she could smell the vodka on his breath. "What happened to you?"

"To which instance are you referring?" He grinned under his mask, mischievous as always.

"You can start with last night, and work backwards." She frowned at him, six months ago he'd disappeared with no explanation. She'd gone to the hokage and only gotten a cryptic "He'll be back when its finished."

"We were undercover and finally had a trap set up. But I think we were ambushed. I got the target cleanly but the water jounin I was working with went down. I just barely made it out." Kakashi's face scrunched up as he remembered. "I was hurt, so I came here. I knew you'd patch me up and probably do a better job than the night shift grunts at the hospital." The tension drained out and he smiled.

"Why didn't you tell us you were taking a solo mission? I-we didn't know where you were and nobody would tell us anything." She remembered how it had hurt that he'd left without a goodbye or an explanation.

"What's the point of telling someone if you don't know when or if you'll be back? I just thought I'd see everyone when I got back." Kakashi pulled away and started to get out of bed, clutching his side but still moving.

"Wait." She grabbed his shoulder. "You shouldn't be out of bed for a couple days. You can stay here."

"Sure you don't mind me stealing your bed?" Kakashi teased as he settled back down.

"Pssh, stealing? Like I'm giving up my own bed just because you collapse at my door. Dream on." She threw back.

"OooOoooh, so we're sharing?" He grabbed for her waist to pull her close, but she was already scooting out of bed and his smile fell.

"Just until you're better, and now I need to go wash your blood off me." She stretched and headed for the bathroom, displaying the dried blood caked up to her elbows.

I thought this would be easier, I thought if I could just put some distance between us I could be happy for her. I could move on, I could forget her. Kakashi mused after she left the room. So why did I show up here? Why does it still make my stomach turn that she's with him, why am I so happy after one night of just sleeping with her in my arms than I have been in months? I'm fucked…

As Sakura closed the door and turned on the water, she let the mask down. Her smile faded and the tears came. Did I-we really mean so little that he can just up and leave without a second thought? Why is he back, why is he here? She shed her now ruined clothes and stepped under the water, letting it wash the blood off and clear her mind. I can't be bursting into tears around Sasuke; he'd think it had something to do with him.

Clean and feeling better, Sakura ventured back into her room to grab her outfit and then back into the bathroom while she changed. She had spent days deciding exactly what to wear to meet him, whatever he wanted she was going to look damn fine while she figured it out. Finally she had settled on a soft pink silk camisole under a button up white sweater and a black skirt that ended just above her knee and swayed softly as she moved. Shit, I left my hose in the other room.

She grabbed them out of her dresser and started back into the bathroom again but stopped, Fuck it, its not like Kakashi will care if I put them on here. I won't be indecent or anything.

Kakashi's eyes were glued to her as she rolled her stockings all the way up one very nice leg and hooked it to her garters and then again for the other leg. Sakura didn't know that lying on her bed he had the proper angle to notice her lace panties matched the camisole, or that he was picturing the matching bra that went with them.

"Hot date?" Kakashi asked as she fastened the ankle strap on her black stilettos.

"Not exactly, I'm meeting Sasuke." She made a face and stood experimentally, she had never been very good with high heels but they were sexy and she needed all the confidence she could get today.

"So meeting your boyfriend doesn't count as a hot date anymore?" Kakashi raised his eyebrows, giggling a little as she tested out the shoes.

"Not when he's your ex. I don't even know what he wants to talk about." She spun and flashed a big smile when she stayed standing.

"Come here." His tone was suddenly serious, but Sakura was in a playful mood. She gave him her best sexy face and stalked towards him, swinging her hips and almost stomping her stilettos.

"Yes?" She gave a ridiculous voice and sat on the edge of the bed with a pout.

"Here." Kakashi sat up and unbuttoned her sweater, keeping that unreadable straight face. "Now you're perfect, don't ever let him forget what he's missing out on." He finally smiled and touched her cheek. Sakura blushed.

"Let me make you something to eat before I go." She hopped off the bed like a scared bunny and practically ran to the kitchen. He's being so sweet. Why would he do that?

She pondered this as she fixed him lunch and some healing tea.

"I'll be back as soon as I get this over with, and all that food had better be gone when I come back!" She teased, pointing her finger like a teacher scolding a student. He just smiled and waited for her to leave before removing his mask and scarfing down the food. This tea tastes like death! I bet she put herbs or something in it… Gross!