This one came out quicker. I really wish my paragraphs were longer. Someone should really review for me. :( At least once?

'You smiled the whole way through it, I guess maybe that's what's worse'

Stop trying to run

One and a half hours later, Kakashi arrived at the gate. Judging by the look of irritation on Kiba's face, Team Kurenai was not happy about waiting. Not that Hinata or Shino showed it. Shino remained stoicly silent and Hinata was too nice and shy-mannered to say anything.

Sakura and Naruto however, though accepting of his constant tardiness, voiced their irritation. In the masked jounins opinion, their cries of outrage were caused more by habit than actual irritation. Knowing these two as he did, they probably arrived at the gates mere moments before he did.

Really, they should be grateful he was only late by half an hour, rather than the customary two.

Sakura seemed to have pulled herself together in the time that they had separated. Her cheerful voice teasing Naruto and Kiba as the two argued. It was like team seven again, except Kiba was a much more vocal rival towards Naruto in comparison to Sasuke. Not to mention the two shy shinobi in the background.

Kakashi merely walked past and flicked Naruto on the back of the head, eye creasing happily. It took a while for Naruto's angry screams and Kiba's taunt to die down. Most likely because instead of raising her fists against the boys, Sakura was deep in conversation with the Hyuuga heiress.

They travelled for twelve house, flying through the tree tops until arriving at the Fire countries border. Even though there was no war at the present time and relationships between countries weren't strained, the silver-haired nin called for them to camp.

It was better to be safe than sorry was Kakashi's motto. Well one of his motto's, the other being I won't let my teammates die or better late than never.

The boys grabbed the firewood and the girls cooked the food. Although Sakura had once complained that all male shinobi were sexist in the kitchen area, it was merely because Hinata and Sakura were the only one's that could cook. Or at least have edible food. Kakashi could put a meal together to save his life, but that was about it.

The banter was light, the food good and Kakashi was content to read the book in front of his face. Of course no one had seen him eat, that would require seeing under his mask.

At nineteen his students had seem to have given up pursuing the face under his mask. Although he knew they hadn't given up hope.

"A-ano, would you like some more, Naruto-kun? Came Hinata's shy voice. Although with less stammering and a mild blush instead of a tomato head. It was good to see that Hinata had gained more confidence, even though she was still shy with Naruto.

Dense baka, that fox-boy was.

Still focusing on his book in hand, Kakashi stretched his sensors to focus on the others. Hinata was giving Naruto his fourth serving as he thanked her repeatedly. Akamaru and Kiba were tearing a piece of steak between them as Shino looked on. At least that is where his glasses were facing. Sakura was ... where was Sakura?

Sniffing, Kakashi picked up her vanilla scent about a mile away. He wondered what she was doing so far out. If she needed to go to the toilet, the standard distance was no less than two hundred metres from camp.

Curious, a lone eye continued to read the next page. Here the heroine was passionately licking her way down the Shinobi's stomach. Going lower and ...

Sakura walked back into the clearing. Her hair slightly mussed up. Even so, she was beautiful. From the love-struck, crybaby, twelve-year old, Sakura had grown into an amazing kunoichi at the age of nineteen.

Loyal, kind, intelligent, skilled and temperamental (chakra-enhanced fists) it was still surprising when Sakura all but rejected Sasuke. The boy in question had seemed shocked himself, even though he had come to respect her. It sent a thrill through his old body, (and he was old in the shinobi world) to know that his little vixen had gotten over the Uchiha.

'You just want her for yourself, dirty old man'.

Preposterous. He was merely proud that -

'Proud my ass'.

PROUD that Sakura finally got the guts to stand up against her first love. She wasn't a doormat and didn't deserve to be treated like one.

'As if you could do any better'.

Damn his conscience, it was really bugging him tonight! The silver-haired shinobi must have been staring for too long as Sakura looked up and caught his eye.

"I'll take first watch, Sakura second, Naruto third, Kiba fourth, Hinata fifth and Shino last. Pleasant dreams", ordered Kakashi.

This way was best as he wouldn't be able to sleep, Shino's bugs woke him up early and Sakura was the medic – therefore requiring more uninterrupted sleep. Although by the medics glare she thought he was babying her. The girl was too defensive when it came to the member of her team looking out for her. They were friends –

'You wish for more'.

- but they all respected her abilities. Turning around from the makeshift camp, Kakashi decided to wait until tomorrow before questioning Sakura about tonight.

If he didn't know any better, he'd say she'd been ... crying.

A scowl seemed to have permanently settled onto her face. He must've thought he was being subtle but Sakura knew when she was being watched! And Kakashi was most definitely watching her! Why? Was she too obvious last night? No, it had been going on far longer than that. So when, when had this started? And why was it on this mission that that sarcastic, emotionally –stunted, sexy basket-case had to – wait, sexy?

SEXY!

She did NOT just say sexy. So what if he might be good looking under that mask (she still hadn't seen his face). Or that he had become one of her best friends now that he wasn't her sensei? Or that she didn't want him to leave her to her loneliness? Wait, he is just a friend.

'A sexy, loyal, kind of friend that you want to hold you all night long. Those big, strong hands to grip you waist as he plunges into you, over and over again', piped Inner Sakura

"Shut up!" The pink-haired kunoichi roared back, blushing at her inner's words.

The point was, he was watching her. She had to be careful. Sakura had to make sure not to let him know she was in pain. She couldn't let him know of the connection between her and him. No, he must not find out.

Her scars throbbed painfully.

They had left the Fire countries border seven hours ago and were now entering the land of water. Sakura could still feel Kakashi's eyes linger on her at random moments but had ceased her scowling. Naruto had realised something was wrong and asked. Naturally that meant that everyone knew, not from lack of tact though. Naruto was more mature now, but Sakura had missed her footing and plunged towards the ground in her shock. She didn't realise that her emotions were affecting her to that extent. After catching a branch and returning alongside her teammate, the pink-haired medic assured Naruto she was fine.

Needless to say, no one believed her but they were all furtively ignoring that fact. Her punches were quite painful and no one wanted to risk their bodies because of her current state of mind. It had been uncomfortably silent so it was a relief when twilight came and Kakashi ordered them to make camp.

Sakura felt contentment as she and her comrades completed the same actions as the night before. Laughter fell from her lips as she watched her ex-sensei blush from behind his Icha Icha porno, Naruto and Hinata flirt (though both were oblivious to the others), and Kiba repeatedly throw rocks at Shino's head.

Shino hadn't yelled yet but Sakura noticed the trail of bugs that were slowly crawling to Kiba's hair. The friendly atmosphere lasted into the night, with the kunoichi's adamant refusal to think of anything remotely depressing.

Sakura looked up to smile as Kiba desperately attempted to rid his hair of bugs. Feeling eyes on her she found the source to be holding an orange-covered book and glared at him. His deep voice pulled her out of glaring. "I'll take first, Sakura second, Naruto third, Kiba fourth, Hinata fifth and Shino last".

Everyone momentarily stopped and nodded their affirmative before returning back to normal. He was happy the mask hid his smile from the other, no doubt they would wonder what he found so amusing ...

'Just you,' he thought 'and your silly ways'.

Over the years this self-proclaimed loner had opened himself up a little bit more to others. Those included were the rookie nine, Asuma, Gai and his students, Kurenai, Genma, Tsunade (she was a good drinking buddy) and Iruka.

These were a lot of people for Kakashi to let in but they were all important to him. Not that any of them realised he was more at ease around him, or that he actually spoke of memories to them. Nor did they realise that some were more important to him than others. A lot more important.

Watching everyone start to settle in, he flicked his lone eye over to his girl. She seemed fine and for the moment he knew she was. As she watched Hinata nervously hand Naruto an extra pair of socks, her eyes shown with happiness. Kakashi noticed this and had to smile.

Yes, Sakura looked happy. But he wonder for how long, how long until her pain came back.