Sakura grumbled as she rolled to the side, desperately trying to cling onto sleep. She gave one last frustrated sigh before sitting up, accepting that sleep was out of reach. The tent was empty as Sakura shuffled her way to the entrance.

Kakashi turned as he heard the zipper of the tent behind him. A rather disgruntled Sakura came into view yawning.

'Morning sunshine.' He called, far too cheerfully in Sakura's opinion.

She never was a morning person, and instantly took a disliking to anyone who was.

'Is there anything to eat?' She muttered voice still rough from sleep. Kakashi pointed to the toast he had scavenged to find, and Sakura quickly devoured it.

'Easy now don't inhale your food or you'll...' Before Kakashi had the chance to finish his sentence Sakura began to sputter and cough.

'Chock' He finished before going to pat her back.

Sakura gasped for air, inwardly cursing the toast. After a few minutes the toast had gone down and Sakura was steadying her breath with Kakashi still rubbing her back. She forgot she just almost died due to a piece of bread, and allowed the warm feeling of Kakashi's hand to sooth her. It wasn't till she felt her eyes drifting that she moved away mumbling a thank you.

'Deary me, didn't your mother ever tell you to chew your food?' Kakashi asked moving to take the tent down.

'Didn't your mother ever teach you not to be a smartass?' Sakura retorted glaring at the rest of her breakfast. She heard Kakashi chuckle adding to her irritation. Viciously chewing on the rest of her toast she stomped off to get washed and dressed. It didn't take long for her to reach the staff wash tent.

'Well isn't this glamorous.' She hissed looking at the muddy tent with basic water supplies.

Although Sakura was used to washing in rivers and pathetic excused for wash tents, she never did get used to how cold water felt first thing in the morning. She shivered and let out a squeak as she splashed the water over her face. With her eyes still closed she fumbled around for her towel with little success.

'For god sake,' she growled, her search becoming increasingly more frantic. Until she felt something soft being placed in her hand.

'Here.'

Sakura dabbed the towel around her face, offering a muffled thank you. She opened her eyes and took in the girl before her. Her thought process stopped. It was the girl. Lord Hoshi's daughter. The girl smiled expectantly at Sakura, who was gawking at her as if she had three heads.

'No problem, you looked like you needed a hand.' Sakura took in her well spoken smooth voice.

'Oh yeah thanks, I always manage to lose my towel.' Sakura replied as she snapped out of her daze. The girls smile widened, and she seemed as fascinated with Sakura as she was with her.

'Oh I'm sorry, my name is Sakura. If there is anything you need please don't hesitate to ask.' Sakura gushed remembering this was in fact one of the clients.

'Hello Sakura. My name is Airi, pleased to meet you.' Airi replied politely. Sakura fidgeted under the girl's constant smile, and couldn't help but wonder what she was doing there.

'Erm, do you mind me asking why you are not with the carriages? I'm sure it'll be safer there.' As soon as Sakura mentioned the carriages Airi's smile vanished.

'I hate the carriages; I don't like being cooped up.' Airi spat stomping her foot. Sakura gave her an unimpressed look; it seemed the Airi was going to be just like all the other lords daughters she knew. A brat.

'I understand it must be boring but it's more for your safety than…'

'I don't care! I don't need you protecting me, I can look after myself!' Airi yelled, pouting even more. Sakura was ready to rip the powder puffs head off, but she grit her teeth and controlled herself.

'I don't think you understand, I was hired to protect you and that's what I'm going to do so if…'

'You don't look like you could protect yourself, never mind me! You're just some silly girl who likes to pretend she's tough.'

Well that was the straw that broke the camels back. Sakura's eye twitched and she took a dangerous step towards Airi.

'Look here you spoilt brat. I don't spend all my time training and working my ass off, to be told by some dozy drama queen that I can't look after myself! Now I think we both know that it would be best if you scuttle back to your ridiculously over priced carriage!'

Airi shrank back from Sakura's waving fists, a deeply shocked look on her face. Both girls looked about ready to pounce on each other, when Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder.

'Now now ladies, I'm sure this can be worked out calmly.'

Sakura glared up at Kakashi as he tightened his grip on her shoulder, warning her to settle down.

'I'm sorry Miss Airi was it?' Kakashi asked Airi who now looked spellbound. She nodded faintly still in a daze.

'I'm sorry about my teammate here; she's a little grumpy in the mornings.' Kakashi apologized smoothly.

Airi nodded again, still captivated by Kakashi. Sakura crossed her arms huffily, and after another persuasive squeeze of her shoulder, mumbled an apology.

'Good. Now that's sorted out I think its time you returned to your carriage Miss Airi, don't you?' Kakashi said as he began to steer Sakura away by the shoulders.

Airi agreed quietly and began to regally walk back to the line of carriages. Sakura glared over her shoulder at the girl and allowed her scowl to deepen.

'If the wind changes your face will stay like that.' Kakashi warned in a bored tone.

'I hate girls like her.' Sakura hissed, still allowing Kakashi to guide her.

'What rich?'

'No, girls who make judgments about people they don't know, and automatically think their better than you because of their lifestyle.' Sakura growled kicking at a wayward stone.

Kakashi winced in sympathy for the rock, and hoped her anger wouldn't turn on him. He knew how she felt, he also felt that ninja were far too often seen as the 'help', and not taken as seriously as they should be. However, he also knew that the people who saw ninja as such supplied his pay check.

'Don't let it get to you.' He offered letting his hands slip from her shoulders back down to his sides. Sakura let out a large sigh, in what he assumed as an attempt to release some anger.

'I know, I know. Anyways, how much further till were rid of the pompous twit and his dysfunctional family?' Sakura knew she had made a grievous error as soon as she looked at Kakashi, his face subtly telling her to shut up. A chill ran through Sakura, and she mentally groaned, 'please don't tell me he's behind me…' She turned slowly and took in the red face of Lord Hoshi.

'Oh, Lord Hoshi! Erm what a surprise! I thought you would be in the carriages with your family, not slumming it with us.'

Sakura laughed nervously, knowing she was making matters worse. Why was when she opened her mouth she seemed to successfully place her foot in it?

'Don't worry Miss Haruno, the pompous twit will be returning to his dysfunctional family now, please continue with your conversation.' Hoshi spat whilst storming past Sakura. He stopped and looked at Kakashi who was sporting a rather amused look.

'You'd do well to teach her to control her mouth.' He warned before thundering into the distance. Sakura slapped her hand over her eyes, and sat down on the ground. Unbelievable, she was already having an awful day, and it wasn't even 9'o clock.

'Why didn't you say something?' She asked weakly shaking her head, with her eyes still covered.

'I didn't know you were going to say something stupid.' Kakashi replied laughing.

'Yes you did.' She accused.

'Ok, maybe I did, but you have to admit it was pretty funny.' Kakashi stooped down in front of the downhearted girl.

'Yeah, funny for you!' She moaned feebly. Kakashi's smile widened as he grabbed her arms and pulled her up.

'Come on we better get going.'

Sakura glanced distastefully at the entourage ahead of her and began to numbly follow Kakashi. Could this day get any worse?

Apparently the day could get worse. After only about 10 minutes of walking the heavens opened, and a steady downpour of rain began to lash down at the earth. Sakura flicked her fringe out of her eyes, and squinted in an attempt to see the road better. Kakashi wasn't fairing much better, and was silently cursing the clouds. Sakura made her way quickly through the puddles to catch up.

'How much longer till we get to the next town?' She called above the rain and wind. A drenched Kakashi looked ahead thoughtfully.

'Not long.' He assured.

Sakura let out a whiney noise in desperation. The rain water was making her clothes heavy, and every now and then her feet would drag along the ground making her to stumble. Although she had managed to catch herself so far, luck didn't seem to be on her side today. She felt herself stumble again; unfortunately a rock blocked her recovery. Sakura let out a squeak as she saw herself falling to the ground. She felt Kakashi grab her elbow, in an attempt to stop her plunging head first into the large puddle in front of her. Luck it would seem was not on Kakashi's side either.

His foot slipped on the mud and both he and Sakura slid into the obscenely large puddle. Sakura let out a small shriek as the cold water engulfed her lower half. Kakashi looked equally startled as he sat in the muddy puddle.

'This can't be happening!' Sakura shouted, slapping her fists across the surface of the water.

'Well, that doesn't really do much for our stealthy, graceful ninja image does it?' Kakashi remarked, wiping mud away from his face.

He held a hand to Sakura and tried to pull both of them up. This resulted in them both sliding back into the puddle, in a bigger heap than before. Sakura let her head fall back in despair, prepared to wallow in her misery when she heard Kakashi chuckling.

'What's so funny?' She grumbled splashing a bit in anger.

'Well, its one of those moments where you either laugh or cry.' He explained giving her a grin beneath his mask. She regarded him stonily.

'I think I'll cry thanks.'

Sakura began to ready herself to crawl out of the puddle when an unexpected mud pie splattered her in the face. Her mouth hung open in disbelief. He did not jus throw mud at her. A glance to Kakashi out the corner of her eye confirmed that he had. He was grinning like and idiot, with another clump of mud ready in his hand.

'You dare.' Sakura warned with as much of a threatening tone as she could muster. Kakashi didn't take long digesting the threat, and the second clump of mud connected with Sakura's cheek with a splat.

'That's it.' She growled and began to hurl mud back at him.

The mud war soon turned into more of a wrestling match, which both of them trying to rub mud in the others faces. Although she had begun the game with vicious intent, Sakura found herself laughing along with Kakashi.

'Ahem'

A loud, deliberate cough drew both Sakura and Kakashi's attention to a very angry looking lord Hoshi. He was stood on the step on a carriage, up and out of the mud, with a meek looking servant holding a large umbrella over his head. Sakura could feel the hatred rolling off him, and heading straight for her.

'Miss Haruno, are deliberately thinking of ways to annoy me?' He asked with a restrained tone. Sakura tried to think of something sensible to say.

'No sir it just sort of happens.'

That apparently was not a sensible thing to say. Hoshi's eyes bulged and he became even redder.

'Sir, don't blame Sakura. It was my fault I started it.' Kakashi finally piped in.

Seems he wasn't willing to let her take all the blame to save his own hide. Hoshi's glare leveled on a muddy Kakashi, before snapping back to Sakura.

'This is why I believe women shouldn't be ninja. They are only needless distractions for men. See that you actually do your jobs from now on.'

And with that Lord Hoshi spun on his heal, and back into the carriage. The line began to move again and both Kakashi and Sakura crawled back to their feet.

'I can't believe he just implied that all I do is distract you. If anything it's the other way round.' Sakura grumbled, trying to remove the large mud clumps from her hair.

'Me? Distract you?' He replied with mock surprise.

Sakura decided to let the comment slide and concentrated on her footing. She wasn't really focused on Kakashi's remarks, as right at that moment something truly wonderful came into view. A town. Sakura allowed herself to smile in relief. A town meant an inn. An inn meant a nice hot shower. An inn meant a comfortable bed. A bed meant fluffy pillows. And fluffy pillows meant sleep. Sakura was getting giddy just thinking about it.

'Thank the lord.'

'I call first shower!' Sakura proclaimed as she tried to barrel past Kakashi.

'Oh no you don't.'

Kakashi grabbed Sakura's arm and attempted to push past her. At this point Sakura brutally stomped on Kakashi's foot, forcing him to release her. She sprinted to the bathroom door, victory in sight. Her fingers griped the doorframe when she felt Kakashi's hand clasp around her foot.

'Let go of me!' She grunted in effort, desperately trying to shake him off. His grip however tightened if possible.

'I'll kick you in the head!' She warned shaking he foot with more vigor. Kakashi it seemed was either unafraid of her threats, or too stupid to take heed of them. If she wanted to win this she would have to be sneaky.

'Ah my ankle!' She cried collapsing in a heap on the floor. Kakashi sprang up in concern, releasing her foot.

'I'm sorry, I didn't…'

Kakashi only caught a quick glimpse of the mischievous smirk that graced her features, before the bathroom door slammed in his face. He stared confused at the door before he heard a triumphant call.

'I win sensei!'

Sakura smirked to herself in the mirror, feeling unbelievably proud of herself, before beginning to peel off the mud caked clothing. After scrubbing herself clean, and throwing on the most comfortably clothes she has, she strolled into the bedroom wanting to crawl into the warmth of the bed. She gave sideways glance and the mud splattered Kakashi, who was sitting patiently in a chair, before sauntering towards the bed.

'Bathrooms free.' She stated smugly before burrowing into the covers.

'Cheat.' Was Kakashi's only reply as he went to the bathroom.

Sakura sighed contently; finally happy she was in a warm bed. She could hear the rain pattering against the window, and the constant hum of the shower water. She was dozing blissfully when she heard the bathroom door open. She cracked open her eyes to see Kakashi stepping out of the bathroom with steam curling around the doorframe. Sakura's heat rate almost doubled. He was maskless and topless. She could feel her mouth begin to water just from the sight of him. Phowar was the only thought running through her head. Kakashi reached for his shirt and Sakura gave herself a firm shake, expelling her previous feelings.

She put it down to being tired, and in her mind being a seventeen year old spinster. She closed her eyes again trying to will herself into sleep, and to forget about her annoying, eccentric yet somehow hot sensei. She felt the place on the bed next to her dip and mentally groaned when her heart skipped a beat. Stop it she told herself firmly closing her eyes and letting sleep drag her under.

Sakura hated nightmares. Her most hated one was also her most frequent one. She sprang upright in the bed, breathing heavily after the jarring feeling of almost falling. The falling off a cliff dream was shared by many others, but it seemed to take delight in taunting Sakura. She almost jumped of the bed when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

'Are you alright?' Kakashi's voice was gravelly, testament to the fact that he had just woken up.

Sakura struggled to regain her voice and nodded at him instead. Kakashi's hand was still on her shoulder and she relished in the warmth of it.

'Try and get some sleep.' He said simply, applying some pressure on her shoulder to get her to lie back down.

She complied silently, steadying her breath still concentrating on his hand. She tried to not feel too disappointed when he removed his hand and left a distance between them. She knew that she should be denying the fact that she was bothered by this, but she was simply too tired to care. She just hoped she didn't try and jump him in his sleep.

Sakura yawned loudly as they began on their journey the next day. She couldn't help but feel she hadn't had enough sleep. Whether this was due to her ominous dream of falling, or simply because having Kakashi sleep near her affected her more than she wished to admit, she didn't know. She stole a glance at Kakashi offering a sleepy smile, but he wasn't focused on her. He seemed distracted, as if he was straining to hear or see something.

She knew this kind of Kakashi. He had a bad feeling, or a notion that something bad was about to happen.

'What's wrong?' She questioned nervously. She watched him shiftily check his surroundings before answering.

'I'm not sure yet. Something's not right. Stay on your toes.'

Sakura nodded suddenly filled with resolve. Despite Kakashi's feelings of impending doom, the morning was relatively boring. With the only slightly dangerous situation was Kakashi being attacked by a bee. And by the time the lunch break rolled around Sakura was feeling well and truly bored.

'I'm going to go have a look around. Stay here and stay alert.' Kakashi said as he rounded the carriages.

Sakura waved slightly before indulging in the gray noodles. As time went on she got the distinct feeling she was being watched. She tried to focus in on her surroundings, to pin point the feeling on unease.

'Hey there.'

Sakura's attention snapped to the young girl in front of her. Oh great Airi again.

'Can I help you miss?' Sakura asked sarcastically, whilst swirling her noodles.

'I like your sensei. He seems like a nice guy, don't you think?' She replied staring in the direction Kakashi had left in. Sakura felt a distinct twinge of emotion she couldn't quite place.

'Yeah he's alright as sensei's go.' Sakura answered. She glimpsed at Airi, and saw the girl was fidgeting with her hands and shuffling her feet. She mumbled something that Sakura couldn't quite make out.

'I'm sorry what was that?' She queried.

'I said I'm sorry ok?' Airi blurted still shuffling her feet. Sakura smirked and sat back to wait and hear what she had to say for herself.

'I didn't really mean your weak, I was talking about myself.' She admitted looking downhearted.

Sakura recoiled in surprise, feeling a sort of understanding for the girl. For most of her life Sakura had felt insignificant next to Naruto and Saskue, and she knew that feeling of frustration at her own short comings.

'What makes you think you're weak?'

Airi looked down at Sakura thoughtfully tapping her foot slightly.

'Everyone is always doing things for me. I feel like I can never achieve anything for myself, my father never lets me it's as if he sees me as incapable of anything. What use am I if I can't look after myself?' She grumbled with blatant frustration. Sakura smiled genuinely before answering.

'I know that feeling; I used to feel it everyday. But I got to a point where I stopped feeling sorry for myself and decided to do something about it.'

Airi took her time processing this, chewing on her lip as she mulled over Sakura's words.

'But my father, he would never let me…'

'Nobody has a right to make you feel inadequate, not even your father.' Sakura replied firmly.

'I'd give anything to be more like you, to be independent and strong.' Airi said longingly, as Sakura sat happily taking in her compliments.

'You can be, just stand up for yourself a bit more. I know it takes a lot of courage, but when you finally take a stand people will take you seriously.' She encouraged.

'Really?'

'It worked for me, why not you too?'

Airi stared in disbelief at Sakura. In all her life a girl she had only know for two days had just shown her the most support she had ever received, and she was grateful for it.

'I think I'll give it a go, thank you.'

Sakura beamed feeling self satisfied.

'No problem!'

It was then that disaster almost struck. The kunai whizzed past Sakura's nose as she threw herself backwards. Her hand was at her hip, grabbing for her own kunai when the ninja appeared in front of her. Time seemed to stop as she saw the man before her poised and ready to drive his kunai through her. And just as Sakura was thinking this is it Kakashi emerged between them.

The clang of metal ran through her, as her sensei and some unknown ninja fought a few feet before her.

'Sakura protect the carriages!'

Sakura jumped to her feet yelling for the carriages to get moving. As the procession began stumbling away another ninja came into view. Sakura didn't have to think this time, and kicked into action before the enemy nin had a chance to attack. He was skilled, with each kick and punch Sakura felt herself being pushed further back to the direction she came from. She needed a plan and quick. Just when she thought the situation couldn't get any worse, she saw the carriages grind to a halt.

'Keep going!' Sakura screamed whilst avoiding a kick aimed for her gut.

'I'm afraid that won't be happening.' A mans voice stated calmly.

Sakura snapped her head around to the man at her side. He was tall and broad, but more importantly he had Airi by her hair.

'I'm sorry,' Airi cried weakly, wincing in pain as the mans grip tightened. Sakura's eyes narrowed in distaste.

'Let her go.'

The man laughed in response. It was a harsh cruel sound and only added to Sakura's dislike of him.

'I'm afraid I can't do that.' He answered before continuing laughing. Sakura could feel the anger bubbling inside her.

'I'm afraid you will, or you'll end up like you friend over there.' Kakashi called lazily whilst leaning on the side on a carriage looking for too calm.

Sakura rolled her eyes and was dying to yell show off, but some how she thought it wasn't the right time. The mans laughter swiftly died as he took in the sight of his recently deceased teammate.

'You'll pay for that.' He said darkly glowering at Kakashi.

'Calm down Hibiki, you knew his usefulness would run out eventually.'

Sakura jumped as a woman appeared next to her, she was tall and slender with blonde hair and piercing eyes. She breezed past Sakura and walked purposefully towards Kakashi.

'Besides, we aren't here to fight the infamous copy ninja, that would just be silly wouldn't it?'

She was sizing Kakashi up like a predator and Sakura felt that twinge of emotion from before.

'If you don't want a fight, give back the girl.' Kakashi replied evenly ignoring the hungry looks from their new enemy.

She pouted at Kakashi's response and sauntered back to the man known as Hibiki, and Airi.

'We only want the girl, trust me we'd take good care of her.' Her tone was as far away as trustworthy as you could get, and Sakura gritted her teeth as she swept some of Airi's hair out of her face.

'Sorry I can't take that chance.' Kakashi said before moving faster than Sakura's eyes could follow, and quickly immobilizing the ninja Sakura had been fighting before.

'Takara, we have the girl let's go!' Hibiki yelled tugging Airi along with him.

'Alright! Sorry guess we don't have time to stay and chat.' Takara smiled before taking after Hibiki.

Sakura and Kakashi both sprang into action, Kakashi blocking Hibiki and Sakura stalling Takara.

'Little girl I don't have time for this, move!' Takara shrieked as she found her path blocked.

'No chance.' Was all Sakura said before launching herself at her.

All she had to do was stall for time, to allow Kakashi to get Airi. She viciously swung at Takara, hoping for any kind of glancing blow, with her chakra charged fists that's all she'd need. But Takara was surprisingly nimble, and was with some difficulty avoiding Sakura's fists. Every now and then she looked over at Kakashi to see him wearing down Hibiki, who was finding it extremely difficult to abduct Airi, and defend himself against Kakashi at the same time.

Kakashi threw once last kick at Hibiki's arm, and it was enough to relinquish his grip on Airi.

'Sakura, I got her!' Kakashi shouted trying to put distance between him and Hibiki.

This was the only signal she needed; all they needed now was a clean get away. Sakura skidded to a halt just as the last carriage rumbled past; she lifted her chakra laden fist in preparation for smashing it into the ground.

'Takara, the jutsu! Use it now!' Hibiki roared.

Kakashi barely caught sight of the hand signs just before Sakura's fist connected with the ground, he leapt up and raced towards her, if that jutsu had got through she could need help. The earth ripped up, creating a wall effect between her and Kakashi, and the two enemy ninja. Sakura felt woozy and light headed, the world blackened around her as she fell to the floor. She heard Kakashi's heavy foot falls slow next to her and then a dull thus, was he dizzy too?

Her vision returned to her slowly, and the dizziness faded. Although she no longer felt physically ill, she did feel strange. She lifted her head up and almost had heart failure from looking at the person next to her. For the person next to her was her. Her counterpart was looking as horrified as she was, and it was only then she noticed her left eye was covered, that she was wearing a jonin uniform and suddenly had longer legs than she remembered. Sakura did what any normal girl would do.

She screamed.

Right there we go, second chapter! I hope you enjoyed it. As always please read and review. Thanks!