Chapter Four:

Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom
The accusations fly

The next day, class was like a living hell for both Sakura and Kakashi. Sakura was a minute late to class due to a lack of sleep, which she over compensated for in the morning, and the minute she walked in the room there began a buzz of hushed conversation. Her face turned pink as she quickly made her way to her desk.

Kakashi then silenced the class, but it was short lived. Every now and again, a conversation would start up and Kakashi had to sentence at least four of his students to detention for disrupting the class.

It was much worse for Sakura. She heard her name whispered and hissed almost constantly throughout the class period and several people discreetly placed notes on her desk asking if she was single or if she'd like to spend the night some time. Her cheeks flushed pinker than her hair consistently.

The minute the bell rang, there was an explosion of conversation and hardly anyone cared who heard this time. Sakura was glued to her chair. She dreaded that merciless hallway and she was planning on avoiding it for as long as possible.

She took her time putting her books back into her bag and carefully fastening it closed, and then as she stood, she precariously brushed herself off. Kakashi couldn't help but be slightly amused.

"Take your time Sakura. I've got all day," he said playfully, making it obvious that he was simply joking.

Sakura blushed slightly and gave him a small smirk.

"I'm sorry, I just…Kakashi, I really don't want to go out there…they'll eat me alive I know it," she said, her eyes moistening.

Kakashi was instantly serious. He knew if he let her stay much longer the rumors would only continue to get worse, but God how he wanted to just scoop her up into his arms and hold her. He shook his head slightly and lowered his mask to breath better.

"Sakura, you can't stay here forever. The rumors will just get worse and it will solve nothing," he said as he rose from his desk and stood in front of her. She stared into his face for what seemed like ages before she suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

She was sobbing by this point, and Kakashi simply didn't have the heart to push her away. He held her close and let her cry into his chest, all the while shushing her and stroking her soft pink hair.

Both were startled completely and immediately flew apart when the door to the classroom was opened and Ino stepped in, eyes wide but slightly triumphant.

"Mr. Hatake? I was wondering if I could have a word…," she said as sweetly as was possible for her, so it didn't quite come off as sweet.

"Of course you may," he said, slightly strained as he lifted his mask back into place. He somehow knew she was at the bottom of all this, just from the hateful look in her eyes, which she tried to hide.

When he turned to look at Sakura, she was drying her eyes and dusting herself off, and when she made to walk away, Kakashi took her arm gently. He hadn't meant to, it was almost like a reflex to want to have her near him.

"Uh, you forgot your pencil Sakura," he quickly excused himself and then walked over to her desk where one of her pencil's she had dropped lay on the floor. He handed it to her and with his eye tried desperately to tell her that she should stay. Sakura gave him a watery, apologetic look before heading for the door once again.

"Bye Mr. Hatake. See you tomorrow," she said quietly before letting the door close in her wake. He could hear her running down the hall, sobbing.

"I wonder what her problem was," said Ino with hidden sarcasm. Kakashi jumped slightly for he'd almost forgotten she was there.

"I'm sorry, Ino, what was it you needed again?" he asked as he brought his hand to his face and began to massage his forehead.

"Oh, I was just wondering if there was any way I could maybe raise my GPA a few points," she said, her words laced with hidden innuendos. Kakashi's head snapped up at her words. He gave her a very stern look.

"No, Ino, I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do for your GPA. You'll just have to work harder in class," he said, lacing his words with pure, unadulterated loathing. Ino gave him an angry look for a moment, but then she was all fake smiles again.

"Oh, well alright. I'll get right on that," she said before heading for the door. Kakashi was thrilled to see her go.

***

The next day was a bad weather day, but the teachers still had to come in to work on planning out the next six weeks.

Kakashi's head was throbbing from a long night of sleeplessness and as he made his way into the staffroom, he hardly noticed the stares and hushed whispers he received upon arriving.

He sat heavily in his chair and forced his eye to stay open. It took him a moment to notice the silence accompanied by all eyes directed at him. He cowered a bit in his chair.

"Um…," was all he could get out before principle Tsunade began to speak.

"Kakashi," she said sternly, "There've been some interesting rumors floating around the school concerning you and one of your students. The rumors hint that the two of you are having an affair in exchange for better grades. Please tell me this isn't true," Tsunade finished in a slightly strained voice. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot, so Kakashi figured she probably had another hangover. This was not to his advantage.

"They are absolutely not true Principle Tsunade. I swear on my life they're completely untrue," he was sweating slightly beneath his mask.

"Well that's good enough for me. On to other things," she said matter-of-factly, as she placed her hands on the table, jarring some cups of coffee a bit. Kakashi breathed a small sigh of relief and proceeded to block out the world for the rest of the morning.

This one's a bit short, but I'm coming off of a bad case of writers block, so I'm just glad I got something out. If you think it's not up to par though you can review and let me know what you'd like changed. Thanks for reading.