Chapter 3: Confusion To Confession

As Sakura slowly opened her eyes, she realized she was in the comfort of her own room, her own in bed in fact. Her eyes immediately found the alarm clock at her bed stand. 11:16 P.M.? She slept the whole fucking day? No...Tsunade would kill her if she had missed a shift! But if she had...surely her...or Shizune at least, would have sent someone to see if she was alright? What had happened? All she could remember for the moment was waking up in her bed. Just now.

A blue eyed, short haired, shirtless blonde walked into her room, "Sakura?"

"Bah. NARUTO." Now she remembered. Naruto had come to her house last night...and then stayed. And he was still here? With her? And he hadn't waken her up since then?

"Uh...Sakura?"

What had they done...why was he shirtless? Had they done something? Had they gotten drunk and that's why they couldn't remember anything? Oh my god...

"Sakura...you're scaring me..."

"Why are you still here Naruto?"

"Still?"

"Eh..." And then it hit her, did she go to work? She swore she went? And Naruto was there...? No that didn't make sense.

"Okay...you're really scaring me Sakura-chan, I think you need to keep in time with your sleep..."

"I...I...I-I..."

"Sakura...calm down."

"I'm sorry."

Naruto came and sat on the edge of her bed.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't remember...I, I-I think I remember now."

"You were so tired Sakura-chan."

"I...know, I still am."

"You should go back to sleep, I'll stay here longer if you need me to."

"What?"

"I'll stay."

"Wait, Naruto, why are you here to begin with?"

"Oh, right, I stayed for Kakashi-sensei."

"Kakashi...?"

"Yeah, I offered to in case he needed to do anything important."

"Wait...what happened?"

"Well...I don't know much until the part I came in-,"

"-WHAT HAPPENED?"

"OKAY, okay, so you woke up, and I was still sleeping, I woke up, assumed you went to work, felt bad for sleep depriving you...even more... So I went to find you to ask if I could do anything for you to lessen your work,"

She had remembered that part. Now.

"and then you said yes after I insisted. And then I went and did some paper work that was overdue."

"And then...?"

"Well...I don't really know."

"What?"

"Well, okay, so Kakashi told me, you were watching the fireworks with him and you fell asleep, so he took you home and then he didn't want to leave the door open so he stayed there until-,"

"-WAIT. He took me home? How?"

"Uh...I'm guessing he carried you?"

"He did? And my bags?"

"Uh...there's bags on the counter?"

She looked out of her bedroom door, there were bags on her counter. "That's so nice..."

"Yeah, well I came in and we talked for a bit, and then I offered to stay in case he needed to be somewhere, so he left, and I just chilled here."

"Oh...he really stayed?"

"Well yeah, he didn't want to leave the door open in case someone wanted to get in."

"Naruto I'm a perfectly capable Ninja, I can take care of myself."

"I know, he was probably just doing something nice...which is surprising."

She blushed, "Why is that suprising?"

"Duh. 'Cause it's Kakashi-Sensei."

"Well, I suppose he doesn't have the clearest record."

"Damn porn reader. Speaking of, he left his crap on the table?"

"Crap?"

"Well his stuff."

"His book?"

"Uh, yeah."

Sakura sat up, "Well thanks for staying Naruto-kun, you've been great. Really."

"Meh," he blushed as she hugged him, "it's the least I can do for keeping you up."

"Thanks, and I think you should go."

He laughed, "Sick of me already?"

"What? No of course not, I would just feel horrible if Hinata-chan finds out I've stolen you from her the last couple nights."

"Ah, you're probably right, I should sneak into her room and say good night."

"Her dad's still on your case?"

"Eh, I think he's getting used to the idea."

"Well good luck."

"Yeah."

As Sakura shut the door on her best friend, in awe he'd really gone through all the trouble...and Kakashi! She couldn't believe he carried her home! She blushed to herself... She would have to do something nice. Hadn't she bought cookie dough? That's it! she would make him cookies, no one in the world could down Sakura Haruno's cookies. They were amazing.

She thought she had other things to do before she started, it was late, but she was off tomorrow, and was rested up. She sighed, but realized she should clean her house. As she went through the bags she put each item away, there weren't many, but more than she planned to buy before...must of been the 'half asleep' thing.

As she moved from the kitchen to the living room, she realized Naruto had been right. Kakashi had left his book, she laughed as she carressed the binding of it, wondering why the hell Kakashi loved these things so much. She didn't care...she hated to admit...but she was falling for Kakashi. Man, how completely gay. Now another blonde wouldn't be able to stay away from her once she found out. But when she stop laughing she saw there was something else. "Cherry blossoms?"

She picked the long stem of blossoms up, and smelt each one. Fresh, soft, and subtle. "I can't believe he left this? ...They're beautiful!" They were beautiful, they were absolutely beautiful. Kakashi had left this for her? Now she really couldn't stop her heart from soaring. She couldn't believe it, he carried her home, and her bags, by himself. And then waited here for her to wake up, and then left her this beautiful flower...which were by the way, one of her favourite.

Yes, she would definitely have to do something nice for Kakashi.

Naruto was almost running now. He couldn't wait to get into the arms of his perfect other. He stopped, half way near the Hyuuga complex, he heard that creepy rustle. The rustle in the bushes, followed by that creepy wind... It almost scared him, he felt so stupid for being threatened and paranoid by something that was probably nothing. But still he ran faster, besides the sooner he was with Hinata, the better.

Kakashi waited until Naruto was completely gone. He made up his mind. He was going to confront Sakura. He didn't know why walking up to her door was so hard. Oh yeah. 'Cause it was none of his buisness.

But he wasn't gonna let his logical side stop him now, he needed to know...epecially if he was going to let that side of him convince himself that he was attrac-eh. He couldn't even admit it outloud, in his head, to himself.

As he approached the door, he was about to knock, when he heard, 'I can't believe he left his?' Oh no...he left his book there. Dammit. How had he been that careless? but then, 'They're beautiful!' No...she was talking about the flower. Naruto's flower. Heh...Naruto. He really was a good guy, bringing Sakura-chan flowers, offering to stay, no matter what he thought happened between them last night. He knew Naruto was a good man. And he knew Sakura was a good woman. Neither would intentionally hurt Hinata. He decided it was best he went...still angry, but the logical side had had it's say. This was wrong. It was all wrong. Angry and hurt Kakashi left.

The next morning Sakura Haruno awoke in an extremely happy mood at the late time of 9:34. (Who am I am I kidding that's not early for most of you ;). It wasn't exactly that late, but it was more than the usual amount of sleep that Sakura seemed to get now a days.

By the time it was eleven, Sakura had throw on her light wash jeans, her coveted and most favourite pair that she hadn't been able to wear since she had always been stuck in a medical coat. She paired it for an old T-shirt and cardigan, just enough to say, I'm cute, but I'm not high maitenence. She didn't want Kakashi to think she was the little girl she knew he knew. She had to change his impression. And if that dress hadn't changed his thought on his appearance, than today she would go for his impression on her personality. She wanted him to know that she wasn't going to change for him. But she was very much interested.

She stopped thinking in the process, no...she was going for this. She would not let her logical side change her mind this time. Sakura Haruno wanted this. And when Sakura Haruno wanted something, she got it. It was a little something she learned from her best friends turned rival turned best friend.

Although the outfit she through together was a little less on the 'striving young woman in her twenties' look, she through on make up to make her look less childish, and she straightened her hair and volumized it so it was just the right amount of perfect messy. As she exited her room, right on cue her cookies were ready. Did they ever smell better? She hoped Kakakshi loved chocolate chip cookies, she had made 1 1/2 dozens of them. She he had heard the Kakashi was a fan of Macadamia cookies, so she tested out a new recipe and added her own twist to them. She had made six, just in case they turned out a dud. So she tried them, and she was wrong to doubt her baking skills, perhaps she was not the best cook. But damn did she ever strive in baking. The Macadamia cookies were delicious. Even if the fact that they were Kakashi's favourite was only a rumor, she would eat the other five herself, they were so good. Almost good enough to rival her chocolate chip ones.

Just as she was about to leave, she caught the beautiful branch of Cherry Blossoms she placed in a slim vase on her counter. They really were beautiful. But she carefully pulled one blossom out, and tucked in her ear. There, now she was perfect.

She didn't exactly know where Kakashi's apartment was. She had heard of it's wherabouts briefly, but she was almost certain he'd be down at the Jounin department. He usually was around lunch. Passing everyone she knew, villagers, old team mates, old teachers. It was so nice just relaxing for the day. And there she saw him, the tall, handsome, masked Shinobi, chatting with his...'friend' Gai.

As she approached, Rock Lee, whom she hadn't noticed was behind Gai, saw her right away. He gasped, "SAKURA-SAN!"

Oh boy...

He ran to her immediately, and bowed his head, "What an honour to see you here Sakura-san."

"Uh..." She rubbed the back of her neck, very similar to Kakashi, "you too Lee."

"Might I say you look as beautiful and stunning as the flower in your hair!"

In truth, Sakura really had grown to respect Lee, but sometimes his attempts to become more than that with her were a little...annoying.

Gai was simply gushing as the 'perfect hook' that Lee had given.

"Why thank you Lee, someone very special had given it to me." She snuck a look at Kakashi, but he just turned his head. Maybe he hadn't heard her.

"Oh, you like flowers Sakura-san?"

"Oh Lee..."

"No! I will find the most beautiful flower in Konoha for you then!"

"Lee, you really don't have to..."

Gai seemed to step in, "Oh Sakura-chan, Lee only wishes to express his feelings for one of Konoha's brightest and most beautiful women."

She blushed...but she wasn't sure if she was flattered, or embarrassed.

Gai sniffed the air, "Do I smell...cookies?"

"Uh...yes, I baked some fresh this morning." She smiled, as she took out the container, "would you guys like some?"

The two similar men basically died at the smell, as they each reached for one, Lee took Chocolate, Gai one of the Macadamia, and took a bite, and nearly fainted.

"Sakura-san! This is one of the best cookies in Konoha!"

"Uh...why thank you...Lee."

"I agree," Gai said between bites, "what a perfect talent to muster indeed."

Wow... She peered behind them to see Kakashi, who seemed uninterested and not even paying attention.

"Sakura-san...?"

"Hm?" She snapped out of staring.

"May I...have another?"

"What...hm of course." She offered the box to him.

He ran his finger over all of the cookies, not touching them of course, but more like deciding which was the perfect.

Damn. He chose one of the Macadamia.

After Lee's spall on what great a baker she was, and Gai's more than obvious approval on his... 'flirting' tactics... Sakura realized Kakashi left, and said a quick good-bye to Lee and Gai to try and find him.

As Kakashi walked off, he wasn't going to run, I mean if he had the public would think there was a problem... but he was hoping she wouldn't notice he was gone.

"Kakashi-Sensei!"

Damn. But he knew he had to stop.

"There you are!" She panted as she caught up with him, "You didn't come say hi..."

"Oh, I'm sorry Sakura, I thought you were busy with Lee."

She rolled her eyes, "You know Lee, once you get him going, you can't stop him."

"Yeah, I think he has a thing for you." He said non-chalantly.

There was an understatement. "Yeah...he...'has a thing' for me."

He smiled politely. She was wearing the flower Naruto gave her. Hn.

"I brought you something," She pulled his book out from her back pocket.

"Oh...thanks...I..."

"Forgot it? Yeah I know, Naruto told me you carried me home..." He looked away from her, was he embarassed? "...I just wanted to thank you for that."

"You're welcome."

"I-I baked you cookies..." She took the box out.

"Sakura, what is it you want from me?"

"W-what do you mean Sensei?"

"What. Is it. You. Want from me?"

"Well...I...wanted to thank you?"

He sighed and took the box. "Thanks. But I should go."

"Kakashi wait!" She caught him by the arm like she had Naruto, "What's going on?"

"You tell me."

"What do you mean?"

He was gonna have to explain it out to her, "First you show up to Seforas looking...looking like you did. And then I offer to walk you home, we...we...well we had a moment I suppose, and then you invite Naruto to stay at your house over night as soon as I leave?"

"What...you saw him come in? How long were you out there for?"

"What do you mean..."

"I mean, it was late! You were still out there?"

"No. Naruto told me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean first you attempt to flirt with me, and then you call Naruto...who is dating Hinata-sama...for, for..."

She hadn't realized what he meant...until now. "WHAT?"

He had nothing to say.

"I...I-I didn't call Naruto to my house! He just showed up!"

"So you agreed anyway?"

"Well I wasn't going to say no to a friend in need!"

"Oh, well that's just the new you then, isn't it?"

"What? I'VE ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY."

"Oh? Well apparently I'm more daft than most people think."

She was angry, although his words were harsh, for reasons she didn't know why, his voice was still calm and cool, and it pissed her off. "APPARENTLY."

"Well then why are you still flirting with me? Baking cookies?"

"Because I'd do the same for you, as I would for Naruto! You should know that by now!"

Had she really changed this much? Was she really willing to give everything to her closest friends if they asked? "Sakura...that's really...disturbed."

"How is being a good friend distrubed!"

"Because what you're doing isn't something you should just do for anyone..."

"Oh, so letting your friend in when he needs to talk because he's worried about something is wrong? Baking your friend cookies after they apparently carried you home and left you flowers is wrong? Tell me, Kakashi. If I'm such a bad person, why did you do all those things for me to begin with?"

"What..."

"Well, what do you have to say?"

"You mean...Naruto just wanted to talk...?"

"What do you mean...of course! What else do you think he'd come over to my house for? To-OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU THOUGHT THAT!"

"So it didn't happen?"

"NO! Of course not! I can't believe you would think I would do such a thing to Hinata! OR that you would think that I would do that sort of thing at all! Not to mention Naruto. Sure he's a loud and annoying bastard, but unfaithful? Disloyal?"

They both knew very well they were not qualities the Uzumaki boy had. And Kakashi felt taken back, when he realized he should have trusted them all along.

"What do you have to say for yourself!"

"I'm sorry."

"Tck."

"I really am, it's just the way Naruto said it..."

"What did he tell you?"

"Basically he said you helped him with something he thought Hinata was still to shy to do, and he wanted me to keep it a secret from her."

"Oh..."

"I was wrong for doubting you, both, I should have trusted my students."

"Well," she was still pissed, "I'm not blaming Naruto for this, but he could have been a little more explainatory...and you could have just asked Hatake!"

"It was none of my buisness..."

"Well you seemed to make it your buisness just now..."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Well..." She knew she should be mad, but she still was deeply attracted to him, and right then she caught on to something, "Since you did carry me home, and stayed to watch the door...and you only got mad over jealousy...I forgive you."

"Thank-you...and w-what...?"

She smirked.

"Hn, concern was more like it."

"Oh admit it."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you do."

"If I wanted something over Naruto, I could easily get it, whether it be looks, skill, knowledge, or romance...not degrading him...in most of those catagories."

"So you do know what I'm talking about?"

Crap...no she he hadn't. "Not at all, I was simply adding to what I knew you were implying."

"Don't play coy with me Kakashi, I'm not stupid."

"I wasn't being coy."

"Mhmm, and you're not jealous either then?"

"Let me put it this way. I was just as not-jealous as you, when I was talking to Ikairi at the restaraunt."

Damn. He had her there. "I-I wasn't jealous..."

"Oh Sakura-chan, beautiful? Of course. Intelligent? Undoubtedly. But a good liar? Not a chance." He smirked, "Spit it out."

"Okay!" She looked away from him, "maybe I was jealous."

He patted her head, she didn't appreciate him treating her like he did when she was twelve. "There's no shame in being jealous of Ikairi.. She's beautiful, smart...flexible..."

The last one was no doubt something he knew of her from something she didn't need to know of him... "Are you here to rub it in my face?"

"Of course not," he laughed, "you came to me remember?"

"Hn." She crossed her arms.

"But what I meant to say was, you have her hands down in all categories."

She looked up at him, did he really just say that to her? "I do...?"

"Of course, you're beautiful, intelligent, and unlike her, selfless."

"Oh..."

He laughed, "Don't look so shocked Sakura-chan, surely someone before me has told you those things about you?"

Sakura blushed, when she realized the wind blew the blossom out of her hair. Kakashi caught it with his fingers.

"Flowers look beautiful on you."

"Thank you," she blushed, "how did you know Cherry Blossoms were one of my favourite?"

"Uh...I honestly wish I could take credit for it, but Naruto brought you that, not me." "He did?"

"Yeah."

"But he never said anything?"

"He's Naruto, I'm sure he forgot, he brought you take out too, but I don't doubt he ate that while you were sleeping."

She laughed, that was so Naruto. "Well...thanks for carrying me home, if anything." She handed him the box of cookies.

He took them from her and held it in his two hands, while her two were still on the other end, "Sakura?"

"Hm?" She looked up at him, his deep eyes were staring into hers again.

"Why did you really do all this for me?"

"Well...because...I wanted to do something nice..."

"And..."

"well because...I...I...I like you..."

For a while it was just silence, but he never broke eye contact with her, and she never broke it with him.

She was worried, he wasn't saying anything, and searched so deeply for an answer in his black eyes...nothing.

"Hm..."

She almost died inside, from that answer...but the inner Sakura was telling her to go for the reel. "Why do you compliment me?"

"Well to make you feel confident I suppose?"

"So none of it is true."

"Of course not Sakura, every single compliment I've given you is true."

"Why did you carry me home? And stay there after? You know I can take care of myself."

"I don't know...you seemed pretty dead yesterday." He smirked.

"Well..." She gave up, "I knew you wouldn't do it for too many other people, I was just wondering if there was something else to it."

She pulled away from his gaze. Had she really given up this easily? The logical part of his mind told him to let it go, to let her go. But the other part wanted her to keep the chase up. "Sakura..."

She looked up at him.

"I like you too."

The outside of her body was calm, still and at a loss of breath. The inside was having a firework show while her innerself danced around cheering and screaming. Was she dreaming?

Without noticing, and Kakashin smiling, he lifted up the box with her hands still attatched. "There smell wonderful you know."

"Thank you." She blushed.

"Chocholate chip?"

"And a few Macadamia..."

"Macadamia heh?"

She smiled, "I...heard a rumor they're your favourite."

"Well..." He smirked, "You heard right."