Alright. im really sorry about that guys something went wrong with my upload & it but a load of # between each word. strange. Right okay, i'm also sorry for the long delay as i was'nt sure whether i was going to continue with this. thats if anyone reads this at all! lol , Another quick note, when i started writing this story like back in january, i was behind on shippuden and didnt know who Sai was or his character traits, so if his character is different, thats why!! Well here it is guys. .

***

Chapter 4. Under the Starry Sky

***

Sakura shivered, and glanced around her, quickly untangling her self from Kakashi's body. He was soon standing beside her now completely aware of the situation.

"Do You Sense that?" he whispered in her ear "I don't recognise their chakra patterns. They are most probably Rogue ninja or high level shinobi from a surrounding village." His voice was suddenly sharp and full of authority, loosing the soft husky tone which had laced it moments before. "We should get back to our team" Sakura murmured. She looked up at his exposed face, and she understood what they had to do. They had to warn the others before it was too late. Kakashi shrugged on his shirt and helped Sakura into her clothes. There was something about him dressing her like this, which made the corners of her mouth crease into a smile even though they were in the midst of a very quickly changing situation. In return she grabbed his jounin vest from its heap on the sand and helped him into it like a small child. The presence watching them from afar disappeared in an instant, leaving no trace as to where they had gone or where they had come from. Sakura guessed that it was somebody who knew exactly what they were doing, it had only been a minor slip-up, but they must have realised rather rapidly that she could sense their chakra. They must have masked their chakra or used a high level jutsu to make a quick escape. Sakura relaxed a little knowing that the enemy had left, but was still left with a biting sensation in her stomach. What if they came back? His eyes met hers, and she saw the playful sparkle return to his face. He too had sensed that the danger had passed, releasing his body from his tensed fighting stance. Kakashi felt the intruder leave the area, vanishing completely out of range. He would protect the scroll and his comrades no matter what the situation. It was clear that their simple collect and deposit mission had just got a whole more complicated. The thought of anybody harming his team, made hot fiery anger course through his veins.

She looked at him curiously, seeing his eyes glaze over as he was lost in thought for a moment. Sakura spoke, her voice fragile and uncertain, "Kakashi. Do you think they will come back?" Kakashi hesitated, then lurched forward and slipped his arms around her body, an arm under her knees and another supporting her torso. She gasped and caught her breath as she found herself once again in his arms. "Perhaps, but when they do, we will be ready" he replied softly. Sakura giggled, the last time Kakashi had held her like this, she was severely hurt from a fight in an important exam. Back then it had been a very different situation, she had only been twelve and Sasuke was the only guy on her mind. she was glad of the turn in her and Kakashi's relationship, it was uplifting and had given her life a refreshing kick. Sakura rather liked the thought of being with an older man. It wasn't just that, she liked the fact that it was Kakashi even more. The famous Copy-nin who never broke the rules or did anything wrong. To Sakura their relationship was new and exciting. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face into his warm soft skin. He still smelt musky and delicious even after being completely submerged in water. It was hard to describe Kakashi's scent. It was soft and smooth, like his voice when he whispered sweet things in her ear. It had a unique silky element which seemed to envelop her like a warm and tender embrace. A masculine whirl coated the beautiful mixture of aromas bringing all of his scents into a gorgeous concoction. She didn't fight him this time, she just relaxed into his tall solid frame and enjoyed the way he held her with so little effort. Sakura started to feel her eyes droop as the gentle movement of his footsteps slowly lulled her into a sluggish sleepy state.

As they neared the camp she cracked an eye open, Sakura noted that it was exactly as she had left it. Her team-mates were still sleeping soundly, Naruto still making his strange whuffling noises as he huffed in his sleep, Sai was motionless except from his rising chest and an odd murmur that would pass his lips as he stirred from a vivid dream caused by his experiences in root, and Sasuke was still lost deep in a slumber, his normal frown, was peaceful and almost delicate as he slept. Kakashi lowered her to the ground supporting her tired body as she swayed and caught her balance. He steadied her against his chest, the texture of his jounin vest brushing her soft cheek as he hugged her .Sakura's mind was so clouded with ecstasy she was almost as startled by her own words as he was. "Sensei, let me stay with you tonight, I want to be with you. Please." Kakashi's expression was harder to read now it was underneath a navy mask but she could tell he was surprised at her question. "Sakura, you know we can't, the others suspect there is something going on already. If this gets back to the Hokage from a passing nin in the area, we will be in great trouble." He answered finally after a great deal of thought. He saw her tired face fall in disappointment and quickly regretted his choice of words. After all they had been rolling around on the sand moments before and he had been kissing her passionately out in the open. He knew his reason wasn't entirely valid. He wanted nothing more then to fall asleep with a beautiful young kinoichi curled against his body. But he was afraid temptation would lure him into doing things that he or she may regret. He didn't want to hurt her at all. But Sakura understood him perfectly, she knew his true reason. She just wanted to feel the warmth of his protecting and loving body around her all through the night. "I didn't mean sex Kakashi" She said flustered by his strong reaction "I know" he said with a smile, easing her mind a little. "I, well, um, To be honest I'm not quite sure if I'm ready for that anyway" She added tentatively, blushing wildly at her unusual boldness. She wasn't used to talking about things like this at all. Kakashi set her mind straight by taking her hand, looking at her with honesty and kindness. "I will never make you do anything you are not ready to do Sakura". He kissed her cheek lightly. "I do not expect anything from you at all" Kakashi ran a gloved hand through her damp hair, untangling her long pink locks in his palm. "Goodnight My Sakura" He whispered against her ear. His voice was as soft as a feather and it sent swirling tingles through her body. She felt his warmth melt away as he disengaged his limbs. She was left standing in the clearing beside the camp alone. She brought a hand to where he had kissed her and replayed his touch in her mind. She stood there a moment longer before collecting her thoughts and forcing her brain to co-operate with her body. "Get a grip" she hissed inwardly, slightly irritated by the way Kakashi could make her feel so weak.

She yawned, once again reminding herself of how tired she was. Sakura staggered to her sleeping bag, before crumpling into it and pulling the blanket over her body for extra warmth. She relaxed back into the material, inhaling its clean and flowery scent. It was a relief when sleep finally came and Sakura let herself drift into a deep sleep and pleasant sleep.

***

The wafting smokey sent of cooking fish, stirred Kakashi from his sleepy state. His eyes adjusted to the brightness of the early morning. His shinobi reactions were still a little sluggish until his steel eye fixated on two colours. Candyfloss Pink and darkened Red. His vision cleared and the blurry image slid into the crisp, vivid scene that played in front of him. Sakura was tending to the fire, poking the embers with a stick, and drawing pictures in the ash with a dreamy and lost look in her eyes. Sai and Sasuke were sitting beside her, Sasuke was alert and seemed uneasy, no doubt Sakura had informed her sleeping team mates of the strange and threatening presence they had felt in the night. Sai was fully awake, all traces of sleep had evaded his person and he sat with his back to Sasuke, busy chewing lazily on some fish that Sakura had cooked. Naruto was just starting to stir as the delicious smell of food drifted in his direction, undulating on the slight breeze. Naruto Yawned and stretched his aching limbs above his head. Kakashi watched in fascination as Naruto's mind grasped what had woken him from his deep slumber. His facial expressions, changed from irritated confusion, to excited and hungry in an instant. He chuckled. Naruto was so predictable. It Was unlike Kakashi to sleep this late. He shuddered as the morning air met his body as he emerged from his blanket.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Kakashi mumbled his sleepy state evidently leaving him quickly as he forced his body into action.

"Sakura said it was best to let you rest a while before we head out again." Sasuke replied in his ever-present deadpan drawl. Kakashi raised an eyebrow at said woman in question. She smiled and turned her head so her face was behind the plume of smoke from the fire, to hide her fierce blush, which had once again taken control of her delicate features. Sakura remembered asking to fall asleep in his arms, in the night. At she had been upset that he had refused, but she new exactly why he had chosen to sleep alone. 'I guess I'm to much of a temptation for him' she thought with a giggle. She chanced a look at Kakashi through the flames, he stood in his usual aloof manor rubbing the back of his head. Patches of sunlight danced across his covered face as the light filtered through the leaves.

"Uh Sakura-Chan why are you staring at Kakashi sensei?" Sakura's eyes darted to the ground. "I uh.."

There was a sudden gust of cool wind, Sakura's hair blew conveniently across her face, hiding her embarrassment and her words trailed off as the fire blew out. The wind picked up, and began to rotate in front of them, picking up dust and fallen leaves from the ground. Sakura lifted her arms in front of her and she covered her face with her hands. There was a gentle poof of air and the wind abruptly stopped, letting the dust gently settle to the floor. Sakura uncovered her eyes and stared. What she saw was not what she was expecting. A man in a standard anbu uniform and red and white mask stood before them. What the heck was an Anbu nin doing all the way out here!? Kakashi stepped forward in front of the group to address the new arrival. The man spoke first and Sakura his and his sharp tone was urgent, the team stiffened, now fully attentive.

"Hatake Kakashi! You and your team are to return to Konoha immediately. Hokage-sama has received important news about the scrolls. You need to be re-briefed as this mission just turned an S-class. You must leave now, do what ever it takes to make sure the scroll in your possession returns to Konoha safely." The anbu-nin nodded courteously to Kakashi before disappearing once again in a swirl of dust and leaves. The wind whistled eerily through the trees in the clearing. The once listless and customary morning had taken an unexpected turn and all members of team 7 stood shocked and bewildered.

"Hurry we must leave now!" Kakashi ordered, breaking the stunned silence, his normal slouch was now straight and alert.

"HAI!!"

* * *