Chapter 2

A/N: Bit of swearing in this chapter. Consider yourself warned.

I'll probably changer the rating to M later.
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4 Years ago:

When Kakashi failed to show up for his medical check up a third time in a row, the young medic, Sakura drew the line. No more evading. Either he came to the procedure or the procedure came to him.

She knocked softly on his door, but after a silent response she started to pound her fist against the door instead.

"I know you're there, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Sensei!"

She continued her pounding, until; she heard the click of a latch moving then the door swung open.

Kakashi stood fully dressed and perfectly home. He raised his hand briefly in greeting and gave her a polite smile, "Sakura-chan, what brings you here to visit, hm?"

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, "Were you just sitting inside reading your book? Ignoring me!?"

"No," Kakashi lied.

Sakura rolled her eyes, "Yeah right." She pushed past him and walked into his home.

"Come in Sakura-chan, make yourself at home," Kakashi said sarcastically, closing the door behind them.

Sakura knew she was being bossy, but she had to use force or else she'd never see Kakashi nowadays. He didn't seem to really look or speak to her, and the new missions her and Naruto had been going on didn't always involve Kakashi.

"Just Kakashi. I'm not your sensei anymore."

"So you did hear me calling you through the door!"

Kakashi smiled lightly, "I came didn't I… Now what can I do for you?"

Sakura placed her hands on her hips and smiled, "Oh, nothing too difficult, just take your vest off and have a seat."

"Excuse me?"

"Lets get you checked out. I'm here for your medical check up."

Kakashi didn't budge. Sakura had to walk behind him and use her chakra-induced strength to push him over to his couch.

"Just co-operate and we'll get this done sooner!"

Kakashi picked his book up from the coffee table and flicked the pages to find his mark.

"Are you really going to be difficult about this!"

Kakashi just kept at his book, "Really Sakura, I find these check-ups bothersome. You're wasting your time, I'm perfectly healthy."

Sakura clenched her fists and silently fumed.

"I'm am much more capable now, as I proven by becoming a Chunnin."

"I made it to Chuunin at a much younger age than you are now."

"I'm stronger then you, you know…"

"Ah!" Kakashi said slyly, "But I'm much more tactful."

She moved to stand before him, he didn't stop her as she snatched the book from his hands.

"Give it back," He said in a low voice.

Sakura gulped, but held strong. "Let me scan you for internal injuries, get a blood test and feel you're pulse. Nothing else, I swear."

Kakashi pretended to think about it.

"Sorry, Sakura-chan, can't be bothered."

He smiled, which infuriated Sakura the more.

Tossing the book, she lunged at him, he was too surprised to respond at first, and started grabbing her wrists after she'd pulled his zip all the way down.

"Sakura! Stop this!"

"No! You just be still!"

Their wrestling came to a halt when there was another knock at Kakashi's door. Sakura looked up in surprise, and realizing her position on top of him with her hands in his grip made her blush. He smirked at her reaction and roughly pushed her off him.

She landed with a heavy thud to the ground, "Ow! What the-"

"I have a mission to attend to. You can leave now."

Not allowing the hurt to show at his hostility, she bowed her head and swiftly moved to the door.

***

Present:

Tenzou had the rest of the day to fill before evening came and he had to meet his sempai, and when he sat to fill out his mission report he found his mind wandering.

Had it been an impulse on Sakura's part to kiss him last night? She was certainly single he'd discovered, but what were her intentions?

He had to admit the idea of Sakura having a crush on him was certainly flattering.

Tenzou hoped talking to Kakashi would give him some insight on how to handle the situation. Would it be ok to cross that line with someone you are on a team with? He knew many people did, but how serious was Sakura? And team 7 was more delicately bound then any usual team.

Thinking about it just made him realize how attractive he really did find Sakura.

His writing forgotten he flexed his fingers and turned his hand, watching as his palm up-rooted a wooden growth that twisted into a bud, then sprouted a cherry blossom.

His usual stoic expression took on a thoughtful look as he started to consider his young female comrade. The branch broke off his palm and hit his desk.

He noticed it had started to rain lightly and stood to move toward the door, as if thoughts could summon people he saw Sakura making her way from the main street, probably on her way home. When the downpour suddenly got heavier she stepped back under the tiled wall for what little shelter she could gather, and Tenzou decided to go outside and approach her.

She waved in greeting as he neared, "I don't suppose you can create a wooden umbrella for us to stand under."

She chuckled lightly, but Tenzou remained outwardly calm.

"Better yet, my apartment is across the road, come in for some tea and wait the rain out."

She looked around her, considering other alternatives then focused back on him, "…Ok."

***

Hands in pockets, Kakashi sauntered into the bar. He paused in the entrance briefly to scan the dim room, and when he spotted Tenzou he headed off to grab a seat at the bar next to him.

Kakashi ordered a drink and lightly slapped Tenzou on his shoulder, "This place is dead."

Tenzou turned towards him, his voice irritated and his eyelids heavy, "Dammit, Sempai. I've been here almost 2 hours!"

Reaching for the drink placed before him, Kakashi chucked his head back and downed it in one go, "Want me to bother with an excuse?"

Tenzou snorted, "No need. You're here now."

Kakashi noted he'd probably had a few drinks while waiting for him. He grinned under his mask; at least Tenzou wouldn't be so up tight. "So, got some news for me, hn?"

"Not exactly," Tenzou drawled.

He shifted slightly feeling a little uncomfortable; he wished he hadn't started drinking. His eyes were beginning to see things in a hazy manner, and he really didn't need to drink too much to feel the effects. But Tenzou couldn't imagine saying these things sober, "More like a moral dilemma…"

Kakashi chuckled, "And I'm the perfect person to come to for advice."

Tenzou rolled his eyes. "You," he said, pointing a finger at Kakashi, which became a wooden extension poking into his vest. "You, are the worst person to ask advice from, but I have no choice. After all, you were her sensei all those years back. Her male sensei."

Kakashi's amusement instantly fled, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Tenzou waited until he had a fresh drink in his hands, "Sakura-chan of course!"

"What about Sakura?"

Tenzou fell forward onto the bench and groaned into his arms, "Kame! We had sex!"

The porcelain sake cup Kakashi held in his fingers suddenly cracked.

It was as if the air was filled with glass shards because it suddenly became very painful to breathe.

"On the mission?" Kakashi couldn't help but ask.

"No, she kissed me though. It was this afternoon."

It took him a moment before he could make sound, and a moment longer before he could turn back to face Tenzou. Already a master at appearing neutral he managed an indifferent face.

"She's a bit young, isn't she?" His voice sounding a little huskier then intended.

Tenzou choked on his drink, "Younger than me, you mean? She's perfectly old enough," he stated a little defensively. "I'm just worried because I'm her team leader. What if things get difficult? Sakura is an emotional person and I don't want… things getting in the way of our missions!"

Kakashi leant forward and with his thumb and index finger rubbed his eyes deeply.

"Dammit! You're there to watch Naruto! Not screw around with Sakura!"

Tenzou looked at his sempai a little taken aback, "I didn't think you'd be so pissed off at me…"

Kakashi looked up with hostile eyes, "Kame, Tenzou! How'd you think I'd react! Shit!"

He moved close to Tenzou, who feeling a little tipsy jumped back in surprise.

"Hey, hey, no need to act so disappointed. I'm still aware of my mission!"

"I'm more than disappointed in you!"

"I get it! I get it! So you have a fatherly concern for her, looking out for is very understandable of you, but don't worry!"

He pulled back and shook his head. Fatherly concern…! You have no idea!

"I really like her, sempai!"

Kakashi was shocked again into silence. He then pushed his cup away from him and stood up.

"I'm off."

The sudden shift in attitude had cleared Tenzou's mind somewhat. He was surprised at how upset Kakashi was at his confession. Tenzou stood and moved to follow Kakashi out the door.

"Kakashi-sempai! I'm not the type to use anybody, I'll treat her well… She is someone I have come to respect very well. It's not like seeing Sakura will make me forget to act as a sheet for Naruto."

Kakashi suddenly halted in his exit and turned to face Tenzou aggressively. "What the hell are you coming to me for! You don't need my permission and you've obviously already made up your own mind about it!"

"I just thought you would listen to me."

"Well," Kakashi stated, a snarl finding a way into his voice, "I'm fucking disgusted!"

He turned back around and stalked off leaving Tenzou feeling unsettled at Kakashi's disapproval.

The news had not sat well with Kakashi at all.

***

Sakura sat up in bed rubbing her eyes of sleep. She was immediately disorientated as she looked around the room, her heart leapt when she suddenly recalled the afternoon's events. This was Yamato's bedroom.

She mentally kicked herself for falling asleep in his bed. The bed was empty and she didn't hear any movement in the apartment. She stood to look for her everyday red dress lying on the floor and when quickly dressed, she surveyed the place. It looked a lot like Kakashi's apartment, and that thought made her heart slam into her rib cage. It was obviously a commission unit made available from the Hokage herself. The furnishing was much the same to Kakashi's, though Kakashi had lived in his a lot longer, and had a lot more junk.

She was annoyed at herself for making the comparison and hit the side of her head, as if to empty all Kakashi thoughts out through her ears.

It was just past 11pm and she was sure the rain had stopped a while ago. Sakura was tossing up the idea of leaving a note when the front door opened and Yamato entered.

"Sakura?"

Sakura moved quickly to put on her shoes, "I'm sorry I'm still here! I only just awoke. I was about to leave-"

Yamato looked down at her unblinking, before bending down to pull her back up with him by her arm.

Though appearing sober, she could smell the alcohol on him.

"It's fine. You might as well stay the night."

Sakura wasn't really sure that was a good idea, but his dark gaze seemed to push the will power out of her.

"You're not controlling me with fear through you frightening gaze are you…" she mocked lightly.

He laughed very lightly, "You tell me… Are you afraid?"

Sakura was afraid, but for different reasons. Not of Yamato.

"No."

His grip moved to her hand and he lightly pulled her after him, "Then stay."

***

"So, what was it like?"

Sakura broke out of her daydreaming and looked at Naruto, "What was that…?"

Naruto wiped sweat from his brow and took a seat on the grass beside the lazing Sakura.

"I said 'what was it like?'"

Sakura frowned in confusion and Naruto grinned in response.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Yamato-san!"

Her face darkened to red instantly and she sat up with a gasp.

"What are you talking about!?"

"It's ok, it's ok! I won't tell anyone! Though, I have to admit I'm a little disturbed at your choice."

Sakura didn't like the idea of this conversation ever being repeated and with that thought, felt a tight band squeeze her stomach.

"Naruto, who told you about…that? It's not going around town is it?"

He looked at her fretting and put his hands out in front, palms displayed.

"Relax, no one told me, I saw you sneaking out of his window before sunrise last week. I'd just returned from a delivery mission. It was just coincidence, I'm never up that early. I've been dying to ask you about it for days!"

She sighed in relief and lay back down.

"It only happened once."

Naruto gasped dramatically in mock disgust and Sakura kicked him in the side.

"Shut-up! I saw you making out with that woman back near the border inn."

Naruto stuck his tongue out in a teasing manner, "What can I say, I really am good at winning people over…" Everyone but Sakura, he mused.

She laughed at his display of cockiness, and after they fell into a companionable silence.

"Please make sure you don't tell anyone, Naruto…"

Naruto looked at the clouds slowly tumbling over each other and said quietly, "You mean, anyone like Kakashi-sensei?"

He heard the sharp intake of breath and she rolled onto her knees to stand. "I thought we weren't going to talk about the again! Ever again!"

He stood to follow her, and had to quicken his pace to keep up, "Hey, as your best friend, I just want to help you out."

She whipped her head around to look at him and snapped, "I know that!"

His teasing gone for now, he continued in a more serious tone, "I don't want you to go through the same stuff you did back then. Is Yamato-san someone you really like, Sakura?"

Sakura didn't answer immediately, instead searching for the words.

Naruto moved forward and places a hand on her shoulder, "Don't do it to make Kakashi-sensei jealous…"

She opened her mouth in shock, a guilty blush mounting her cheeks, "Naruto! How can you say that! I'm not that kind of person! He's the only person I've been with since then!"

She was upset at her earlier hesitation and meant to amend her self, she smacked Naruto on the back of the head. "Of course I like Yamato-san!"

He made a disturbed face and in half seriousness said, "…But he's so creepy! That controlling gaze of his… that's one jutsu I can't seem to learn…"

Sakura scoffed at his idiocy, "Naruto, you moron! You're the only one who's affected by that gaze!"

"Really!?! Amazing…"

She rolled her eyes.

"…And on second thoughts, I don't want details! Creepy…creepy!"

SMACK!

***
End Ch 2.

A/N. A few things I need to mention:

Tenzou is usually spelt 'Tenzo', but I've been spelling it as Tenzou. Sorry, but I'm going to leave it cos that's the translation I've been exposed to.

I also don't know a lot about the housing set up in Konoha, but just go with it, it fiction anyway.

And another thing, I know flashbacks are usually completely in italics but I find it a little annoying on the eyes so you'll just have to look out for the '4 years ago' indication.

Well, hope you enjoyed.

RxR.