FIRST OFF I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS GIVEN ME A REVIEW AND THOSE THAT LIKED MY STORY ENOUGH TO FAVORITE IT!

YOUR REVIEWS MEAN A LOT TO ME!

xXYukiXxXCrossXx

Zetake

Ellissia

Fushigi yuki

Kakakura

Darinenelle

Eternidad1

ilygodot

InoSakuShine

EvilKyu Cassielf

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

[RECAP FROM LAST CHAPTER]

Kakashi looked to Sakura's trembling form.

"Sakura-" He started but was cut off by Sakura's low voice.

"He instructed me to stand down. I...I was the one who disobeyed orders."

Tsunade looked back to Kakashi.

"Is this true? Did she disobey your direct orders?"

Kakashi looked back to Tsunade.

"Yes."

Tsunade shot a disapproving glance back at Sakura.

"This behavior is beneath you Sakura! For directly disobeying a direct order from your

team Captain, I am upping your sentence to two months! No missions! No medical

training!"

Sakura's trembling became worse as she tried to hold back tears that she refused to let

fall.

"Am I understood?" Tsunade yelled.

"H-Hai, Shishou." Sakura said shakily as she turned and ran out of the door.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sakura sat atop the Hokage's Monument.

She hadn't felt like going home after the debriefing meeting.

She had been sitting here for a little over an hour, the cool night air chilling her slightly.

Tears welled up, threatening to fall from her stinging eyes, but right now she didn't care.

How could Tsunade just take that horrible woman's side without even hearing Sakura's explanation?

Kakashi-Sensei too.

He had actually yelled at her. He never yelled.

"Damn!"

Sakura roughly wiped her tears away.

That woman had honestly deserved that punch and much more as far as Sakura was concerned.

She had been insulting her since the first day they had met, on top of which, she was planning on forcing Kakashi-Sensei into some deranged form of marriage.

Sakura thought back to their talk in the woods.

An uncontrollable sob escaped her mouth.

It hurt. Everything that Masami had said to her had hurt bad and she knew why.

Because deep down inside herself she was so very afraid that it was true. That her teammates all felt the same.

She was, after all, the weakest member of her team.

She had indeed been a bother to her team more times than she cared to admit.

Compared to Naruto, Sai, and Kakashi-Sensei. Hell, even compared to a deserter like Sasuke, she had little to show for her years of training and effort.

Yes, she was talented at healing and had been taught to fight by Tsunade, but it never seemed to be enough.

Everyone still always left her behind.

So, Masami had been right, really.

She was nothing special.

As a fighter.

As a …woman.

He would never notice her. Never look at her the way she wanted.

Not when a beautiful woman like Masami was giving him such attention.

"Heh." She laughed to her self.

Who was she kidding? Even if Masami was out of the picture, it would be the same story.

She gave up fighting her tears and allowed the sobs to come out now.

Her tears fell in a steady stream as she shook violently.

She was so pathetic, but no one could see her weakness anyway.

Or so she had thought.

She suddenly heard a whooshing sound, wind blowing slightly on her right, as she registered an all to familiar chakra signature to her right.

Sakura wiped at her eyes quickly, trying to regulate her breathing.

'Shit.' She did not want to talk to him until she had sorted out her feelings and then repressed them.

Sakura's frown grew more defined as she pushed those feelings to the back of her mind, leaving only her anger.

"Come to yell at me some more?"

Kakashi looked down at her hunched form.

"Sakura-" He tried to reason.

"There's really no need anymore. Tsunade grounded me from missions and my medic training for two months, so you don't have to worry about me getting near your precious Masami anymore."

'Great.' Sakura thought. Now she sounded even more pathetic.

Kakashi ignored her ridiculous outburst as he lowered himself into a sitting position beside her.

"Sakura, I'm not here to yell."

"Then why are you here?" Sakura asked, Confused.

"What? A guy can't sit on top of the Hokage Monument without getting the third degree?" Kakashi said with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

Sakura gazed out at the setting sun.

"Do as you like, then."

After about ten minutes of awkward silence, Sakura glanced over to Kakashi.

Why was he here?

He was just sitting there reading his stupid book.

He was probably so disappointed in her that he didn't even know what to say to her.

She had disobeyed his direct orders and she hit an important client.

Word most likely had gotten out about her little exploit, and as team leader, Kakashi was probably being looked down on.

All because of her.

He was probably embarrassed to even have once taught her, let alone be on the same team as her now.

Her eyes began to sting again.

She knew, deep down, that what she did was wrong, even if the bitch had deserved it.

She had let her team down by her actions.

Let Kakashi down, and she hated it.

Sakura lifted her knee's to her chest, hugging herself tightly as she stared down at the dimly lit village.

"Sensei….I'm sorry that I acted the way I did today. I know how much of an embarrassment I must be for the team, and-"

"Stop it." Kakashi cut in as softly as he could manage, while closing his book.

Sakura's tears once again fell as she trembled ever so slightly.

"B-but Sensei, aren't you a-ashamed to have s-someone like me as a student? As a t-teammate?"

Kakashi's heart wretched at the pain in her voice and expression, making his features soften.

"Hey now. No more of that talk. I could never be ashamed of you. I don't say it enough, but I'm proud of all of my students, and that most definitely includes you."

Sakura looked up into his soft expression and immediately felt her tears subsiding.

She gave him a weak smile.

Kakashi smiled back before looking at her a little sternly.

"However, you may want to work on not letting your temper get the better of you. Especially during missions. A ninja has to forget their own emotions and carry out each mission without fail, no matter the circumstance. It is our job."

Sakura looked away as he spoke. She would take her Sensei's lecture without interrupting. She had done enough today already.

Kakashi studied Sakura for a moment when he finished speaking.

His gaze softened again.

She was still depressed.

Given what he had heard earlier that day as well as what Sai told him he knew why.

Masami had been very cruel.

"That being said," Sakura glanced back up as he spoke.

"She should not have said all of those things about you either."

Sakura smiled a little, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"It's fine. I'm more angry with myself really, because I am weak, and a bother, and I'm plain. She was only saying what was true."

Kakashi's expression turned slightly agitated. Why couldn't she see how valuable she really was?

"Sakura, you are most certainly not weak. Your strength rivals even my own. You're not a bother either. You have helped your team countless times and literally brought all of us back from deaths door just as much."

Sakura looked to him a bit startled that he was giving her such compliments. He had never exactly been the type of Sensei to hand out praise.

Kakashi's voice became less stern now.

"And you are anything but plain. You've grown into a very beautiful young woman. You don't give yourself enough credit."

Sakura smiled genuinely. She always secretly worried that he had regretted having her as a student, but the truth was that he thought she was strong and useful and beau…..wait. He just called her beautiful.

Sakura's cheeks grew hot. She felt her heart pounding. He said she was beautiful. No one had ever said that to her before. The feeling that filled her from his words made her feel so…so…well, she didn't even know what word she could use to describe it. She did know, however, that she loved the feeling.

Kakashi stood observing her as he told her just how important she was to their team.

He watched as her expression changed from melancholy to slightly stunned and then, as she took in his last statement, nervous. He noticed, amused, the bright blush that spread across her face.

Had she really been so shocked that someone had called her beautiful?

He assumed that she got compliments quite often. She was indeed an extremely pretty girl.

She had a fun personality and she wasn't all high strung like some girls in her age group.

Who was he kidding, she was far prettier and better than any woman in his age group as well.

Kakashi stopped his train of thought there.

It was one thing to admire her beauty in passing, but a whole other thing to start comparing her to all other women.

His dry spell was affecting his brain.

'I seriously need to get out and find myself a new piece of-'

Sakura's words halted his thoughts.

"Thank you, Sensei. Your words mean a lot to me. And I know that I've never said it, but I am proud that you were my Sensei."

Sakura knew she probably looked like a fool, blushing and smiling ear to ear, but she didn't care. She was more happy in this moment than she had been for days.

Kakashi saw her expression and smiled in return.

'Good. She's happy.'

Sakura beamed when she saw him smile in return. Although she couldn't see most of his face, she had learned what each movement of his eye meant over the years.

"Well, I should get going. You should get home too. It's getting late." Kakashi said as he stood from his spot.

Sakura stood as well, brushing dirt off of her backside.

"You're right."

Sakura turned towards the edge of the statue she was standing on, getting ready to jump.

"Good night, Kakashi Sensei."

Her only answer was a raised hand right before he teleported away.

Kakashi stood in front of the Hokage's desk awaiting her response.

He had come in after he had awoken this morning, which was actually not morning. More like noon. He had thought that he would at least try to help Sakura by telling Tsunade everything Sai had told him about Masami's behavior as well as her schemes.

Tsunade furrowed her brow as she looked his way.

"So let me get this straight. You want me to revoke Sakura's punishment because Hirohito-San was mean to her? Is that what I heard?"

Kakashi smiled nervously.

"Yes, Hokage-Sama."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. He was always too easy on his students. That's why Naruto thought he could get away with anything even at his age.

"Humph!" Tsunade peered at Kakashi.

"You spoil her too much, Kakashi. How will she learn if I remove her punishment?"

Kakashi cleared his throat.

"With all due respect, Hokage-Sama, this is her first offence. She is normally well behaved. Also, she seems to keep Naruto some what docile during missions. Without her presence, he would likely-"

"Very well, Kakashi. On one condition of course. She is to apologize to Hirohito-San before the celebratory dinner tomorrow night."

Kakashi was starting to regret his rare little act of kindness.

"I don't think she'll-"

"You will see to it that she does! Oh, and you are required at the dinner party. From what you told me earlier, I now know why Hirohito-San insisted that you come. Well, no matter."

Kakashi took that as his sign to leave. He quickly bowed before turning towards the door.

"I suppose I will mark you down for a plus one. Maybe if you invite someone else, she will give up on her ridiculous plan."

Kakashi smiled in appreciation.

"Yes, Hokage-Sama."

"You are dismissed."

Kakashi walked out onto the street.

He needed to find Sakura, but first he needed to find someone to take with him to the dinner.

He could ask Anko, but after what happened that night a few months back, he didn't think that would be a good idea.

There was Kurenai, but that would just be weird, seeing as he had been friends with her dead boyfriend.

Well, maybe he would just go alone.

Sakura was walking through the busy street on her way to meet her blonde friend at the flower shop. They always visited each other after a mission. It was kind of a tradition they had started.

Sakura took in the familiar sign of the Yamanaka flower shop with a smile.

Ino looked from her spot at the counter when she herd the bells on the door jingle.

"Forehead!"

"Hey, pig!" Sakura said as she walked over to her friend.

Ino pulled her into a brief hug.

"Back from your mission? How did it go?"

Sakura grimaced.

"Ugh…I don't want to even think about that mission ever again."

Ino sighed.

"That bad, huh?" Ino's eyes suddenly sparkled in a way which only a true gossips can.

"Oh, speaking of which, I heard that the woman you escorted here was sent to the hospital. What happened?"

Sakura let out a frustrated breath. She would have to tell her. Ino wouldn't shut up until she did.

"Well, I sort of…punched her in the face."

Ino gasped.

"You what!"

Sakura looked to her friend with a guilty half smile.

"You punched your client?" Ino said, still in disbelief that Sakura, the teachers pet, had actually done something so outrageous.

"Yeah and then got grounded from missions and the hospital for two months. But if you had met her, you would understand why it was worth it."

Ino looked to Sakura curiously.

"Tell me everything, but first let's go to that café on the corner near the academy. I'm in the mood for some cake!"

Sakura laughed and agreed.

Ino walked to the back doorway.

"Mother, I'm going out."

With that they both walked out of the shop.

"So, I saw Kiba the other day at the old training grounds. He was looking pretty good all sweaty after his training. I might just go after him."

Sakura glanced to Ino and sighed.

"What happened to your undying love for Sai?"

Ino scuffed her feet as she walked.

"I don't know, he just never notices me. No matter what tactic I use, it's like he's impervious to my feminine charms."

Sakura laughed.

"Sai is a special case. I already told you that regular means wouldn't work on him. Try talking about painting or something next time you see him."

Ino smiled.

"I don't know. I guess I could try one last tactic."

Sakura smiled in return as she stopped in front of the café.

"Well, here we are."

Ino hooked her arm around Sakura's.

"Let's go in."

Sakura and Ino made there way through the door and were greeted right away by a polite young man.

"Ino-San, Sakura-San! Would you be wanting your usual table?'

Ino smiled at the dark haired man.

"That would be great Fubuki-San."

Fubuki smiled.

"Certainly. You two know your own way. I'll put your usual orders into the kitchen."

"Thanks!" Ino replied cheerfully.

Sakura and Ino walked towards the far left corner and sat at their table.

"So, you gonna spill or what, forehead? I've been pretty patient so far, but I'm loosing the battle here."

Sakura sighed.

"Well, there's not much to tell. Her name is Masami. She's abnormally beautiful, which pisses me off. She's fixing to be the leader of her village when her father passes away and she's the biggest bitch I've met and I know you, so that's saying a lot."

Ino smiled.

"Funny, forehead, but why is she a bitch? She must have done something to you, right?"

Sakura frowned.

"Well, from the moment we met, she seemed to kind of dislike me. She practically called me a child, and said I had no figure in the first hour."

Ino snorted.

"Wow, she is a bitch!"

Sakura smiled as Fubuki returned with their orders.

"Her you are, Ladies. Ino-San, your milk-tea and chocolate cake."

He sat Ino's things in front of her.

Ino smiled.

"I've been dying to eat this cake for days."

Fubuki smiled warmly.

"And Sakura-San, your lemonade and strawberry tart.

Sakura looked down at hers hungrily.

"It look's great, Fubuki-San."

Fubuki smiled brighter.

"I am glad you like it. Enjoy your meal ladies."

Sakura nodded and Ino smiled.

"Will do."

As Fubuki walked away, Ino looked back over to Sakura who was already digging in to her food. Ino forked up some of the chocolate goodness from her plate.

"So, did she do anything else?" She asked before stuffing the bite into her mouth.

Sakura swallowed her food down.

"She fawned all over Kakashi-Sensei the entire time. She insulted my skills as a ninja and then told me that I am so worthless that should give up my feelings for…."

Sakura cringed.

'Oh shit! Why did I have to babble?'

Ino practically jumped on the new bit of information.

"Wait a minute, your feelings? You have feeling's for someone? And you told her instead of me?"

Sakura huffed.

"Yes…No! I didn't tell her anything she guessed it on her own."

Ino looked to Sakura expectantly.

"So, are you going to spill, or what? Who is he?"

Sakura felt anxiety creep up on her. She couldn't tell Ino the truth. She would think she was disgusting.

"It was Sasuke. She guessed that I cared for Sasuke."

Ino narrowed her eyes.

"Liar. We both know you don't like him anymore, and besides, you said that she guessed it, which means she had to have seen you with him."

Sakura froze. She just had to visit Ino. Why didn't she just stay home?

Ino glared at her.

"Is it Naruto? Did that loser finally get you to fall for him?"

Sakura looked to Ino sternly.

"He's not a loser, pig, and no. I only care for him like a brother."

Ino gasped.

"It's not Sai, is it? How could you Sakura? You know how I feel!"

Sakura was now annoyed.

"No way! That's one thing you never have to worry about. I'm not into tall, pale, and weird."

Ino sighed in relief before turning to Sakura confused.

"But then, if it's not Sai or Naruto then who? There's no other guys in your…Ohhhh!"

Sakura looked at her warily.

"What are you 'ohhing' about?"

Ino smirked.

"Sakura, you bad girl! You like Kakashi-Sensei!"

Sakura jumped, feeling the deep blush rise to her cheeks.

"I do not! And keep it down! Someone could hear you!"

Ino laughed.

"Oh, you do so like him. You're blushing!"

Sakura huffed.

"Just drop it, pig! Besides, even if I did, it wouldn't matter. He would never be with-"

Ino cut in.

"Now you're sounding just like that Masaki, Matami, whatever her name is. Don't sell yourself short. Love is all about taking chances. You'll never know for sure until you try."

Sakura smiled softly.

"I wish I had your bravery."

Ino smiled back.

"So, Kakashi, hmmm?"

Sakura nodded in defeat.

"He's hot. I'll give you that. So, how serious are your feelings?"

Sakura fiddled with her straw.

"I'm not sure. I thought it was just a crush at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew it was something more. I know I really like him, but I'm not sure exactly how far that emotion goes. When she told me she plans on making him marry her for a peace treaty between our villages, I realized that my feelings were more complicated that I fist thought."

Ino's eyes widened.

"She's planning what? Damn."

Sakura looked down, remembering that terrible conversation again.

Ino stared at Sakura kindly.

"Well, when you heard that woman say that about him what did you feel?"

Sakura frowned.

"I….can't explain it. I was so angry I could literally kill her with my bare hands, but at the same time so sad that it drained me and my body went weak and I felt like I couldn't even move my limbs. I felt like screaming and crying but more importantly, I felt like if she got her way that I would just die. Just cease to exist."

Ino smiled.

"Well, I think we both know your feelings now. It sounds like you love him."

Sakura sucked in her breath.

"Love? I…I don't know. I mean, love? I can't."

Ino sighed.

"And why not?"

Sakura looked at her irritably.

"He was my Sensei! He is now my Captain! He's so much more experienced than me, not to mention for-teen years older!"

Ino shrugged.

"What does age matter? And the key word in there is 'was.' He was your Sensei. Not anymore. You are equals now, remember?"

Sakura looked to her friend.

"You say it doesn't matter, but the rest of the village-"

Ino frowned.

"Who give's a shit about the village. None of that matters. Only the way you feel about him should matter to you."

Sakura smiled.

"You're right. Wow, I never thought I would say that in a million years."

Ino laughed.

"Alright! Let's get out of here, but first let's promise to try our best to get the guys we love!"

Sakura laughed.

"Oh, what the hell, why not?"

They both laughed as Sakura layed down some money for the bill and they both made their way out of the door.

Sakura looked down at her wrist as she walked.

"Pig, what time is it? I left my watch at home."

Ino looked to her watch.

"It's one o'clock. Why, got somewhere you need to be?"

Sakura shook her head.

"Not really. I just want to stay out until my mother leaves the house for her job."

Ino frowned.

"Another fight?"

Sakura sighed.

"She treats me like I'm a toddler. I'm thinking of moving out. Finding an apartment somewhere."

Ino looked at her friend.

"Well, I'll help you out. If I hear of anything available, I'll let you know."

Sakura smiled.

"Thanks, pig. By, the way,…-hey why'd you stop?"

Sakura looked over her friend who was staring out in front of her. Sakura followed her vision, only to come face to face with Kakashi.

"Yo, Sakura, Ino."

Ino smiled at him knowingly.

"Hello Kakashi-sempai."

Sakura swallowed the lump in her throat. She could not be near him right now, not after she had just figured out her feelings.

"S-Sensei."

Ino looked to Sakura. She was totally blushing again.

'Ah, young love'

Kakashi smiled and lifted his hand to the back of his head.

"Sakura, I need to go over something with you. Are you free now?"

"Yes. I'm totally free."

She answered before she had even realized.

Ino smiled.

"Well, I'll see you later forehead. My moms probably furious. Bye, Sempai."

Sakura and Kakashi both nodded their goodbyes.

Kakashi started walking.

"Why don't we sit over there?"

He asked pointing to a bench at the nearby park.

"Alright."

They made their way to the bench. Kakashi sat down first.

Sakura sat down as far from him as possible on the bench.

"I talked to Tsunade today. She has agreed to remove your punishment."

Sakura looked to him shocked, before smiling brightly.

"Really? I can't believe it."

Kakashi laughed nervously.

"Well, there was a condition. You have to apologize to Masami-San before the celebratory dinner party tomorrow."

Sakura's smile died on her face.

"Hell no!"

Kakashi sighed.

"Come on, Sakura. I put myself out on a limb for you here."

Sakura frowned.

"No one asked you to."

Kakashi gave her his worst hurt look yet.

"How can you treat your old Sensei this way? And to think, you were my favorite female student."

Sakura scoffed.

"I was your only female student."

Kakashi smiled.

"Come on, Saku-chan."

Sakura gave him a dirty look.

"I thought I told you about nicknames."

Kakashi feigned innocence.

"No. I don't recall you ever saying anything about them, Saku-chan."

Sakura huffed.

"Ugh…You're wasting your time. I will not apologize."

Kakashi sighed in defeat.

"That is too bad. I was informed by Tsunade that a week after the dinner party we would be given a rather interesting mission. It's especially to bad for you because the mission is in Ame. I know how much you enjoyed it there last time."

Sakura frowned. He was baiting her. He knew that she couldn't resist a chance to go to Ame. Their medical technology and research had really helped put her ahead of the other medics in Konoha.

She had to go. There were so many medical scrolls that she hadn't studied yet.

"Well, if it's for the team, I suppose I could fake a nice enough apology."

Kakashi smirked. He knew her all to well.

"Are you sure, Sakura? Because if you are uncomfortable in any way with apologizing I would not think to force you."

Sakura smiled.

"Yes. I'm sure. You know I have to say yes now. So, what about our mission of returning Masami home?"

Kakashi sighed.

"Given the recent events, Tsunade decided to give the return mission to Team Guy."

Sakura nodded.

"So when do I go apologize?"

Kakashi gave an eye crease.

"Why don't we meet at the Hokage tower tomorrow at noon, and you can apologize then."

"Sure. Well, I need to get going Sensei."

She said as she stood from her seat.

Kakashi stood as well.

"Me too. See ya."

He said as he teleported away.

Sakura sighed.

He never walked like a normal person.

SO, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

I'LL TRY TO UPDATE SOON!