Author's note: first and for most, I would like to thank Katie Yuy for your wonderful review! Yes, no story is perfect and I am glad you enjoy this story regardless of my blunders. I am more than happy that I have so many followers who are reading this in enjoyment as I am writing :)

I apologize this chapter is shorter than the others, been a bit busy today and have been trying to update while juggling a few other things.

Enjoy!

&.&.&.&

~Now~

Sakura squirmed a bit under Naruto and Tsunade's questioning eyes. Kakashi put his hand on the medic's shoulder and smiled beneath his mask. "We actually wanted to give the two of you an update so it's befitting that you just so happen to be in the same room." Came Kakashi's answer. Naruto cocked his head to the side, Sakura was fidgeting a bit which was odd because Sakura never did that unless she was seriously nervous about something.

"And what can that be?" Came an amused Tsunade's voice. Sakura looked up at her former teacher then go her best friend. Kakashi smirked slightly, he figured she'd be a little hesitant to say something just in case they took things the wrong way or questioned whether or not they were ok with both being active shinobi. Kakashi figured it was mostly probably the latter, if anyone would be pulled from active duty out of the two of them, it would be her.

"Well, out with it." Tsunade smirked.

Kakashi nodded as Sakura glanced up at him, "Kakashi and I are.. a thing..."

There was a pregnant pause.

"I mean... we're in a relationship." Sakura elaborated.

Again, there was a pause in the air until finally Naruto spoke, "How long has this been going on?"

"Well.. technically a little over six months or so.. but.. we've only just gotten into a relationship about a month or so ago.." Sakura answered softly.

Naruto sat back in his chair, his face pensive.

"Is that all you've got to tell us?" Tsunade questioned.

Kakashi looked down at the medic then to Tsunade, "No. I've asked Sakura to marry me some day. Well, to promise to accept my marriage proposal when it comes, anyway." His answer was blunt, he didn't care what Tsunade nor Naruto thought about the whole ordeal, he was with someone he loved -someone who made the ghosts fall away and made the screaming of the past silence. He refused to let anyone have a say in whether or not the would remain together, he was simply doing this for the formalities and to make Sakura happy. He knew it meant the world to her to not keep this very important relationship hidden from two of the most important people in her life.

Neither Naruto nor Tsunade said anything for a long moment, both of them of course wanted to ask how the hell this came to happen and why, but they figured that was not their business and it was honorable enough that the two had decided to come all the way just to share this with them instead of letting them find out in other ways. They both also figured this had to have been Sakura's doing because Kakashi was well known for not caring what other people thought.

"This was why you were so upset about having Saskue stay with you." Naruto commented, earning a nod from the medic. Naruto leaned forward with his hands folded beneath his chin, "You know, you could have just said that. I wouldn't have insisted on him staying with you if I'd known your heart was no longer with him.. but with someone else." Sakura blushed at this statement.

She figured that would have been true, Naruto never forced her into doing anything she wasn't comfortable with and cared for her beyond himself at times. She knew he would have made other accommodations had he known and she felt guilty for not saying something sooner. Sakura just didn't want to use her relationship as a reason to say no to Naruto after he'd done so much for her.. and at the end of the day, her not wanting Saskue around was not entirely just because of her relationship with Kakashi, she simply had gotten over her infatuation with the raven haired male and no longer saw him through rose colored glasses.

Sakura now saw Saskue as the selfish, power hungry, revenge seeking, self-involved person that he was - and she no longer wished to be associated with such a person. She no longer wanted to be known as one of the only people who still held out hope for him, even after he tried to kill her. She didn't care about his revenge or redemption any longer, in truth, she didn't give a damn about him in general any longer.

Smiling, Sakura looked at Naruto, "I know... I'm sorry."

Naturo waved his hand and gave a smile of his own , "It's in the past. I guess a congratulations is in order."

The four individuals talked for a while, bringing up about Sakura helping Hinata in what little spare time she had with the wedding. The wedding was still a ways off but Hinata just wanted to have everything dealt with well in advanced especially with having someone as busy as Sakura as a bride's maid. Along side her would be Yamanaka Ino and Ten-Ten.

"This will sure make the wedding interesting." Naruto muttered which earned him a questioning look from Sakura. Naruto blushed a bit ,"Well, after the whole thing with Saskue, I put two and two together and figured you were indeed over Saskue.. so, for the wedding, Hinata and I paired you up with Neji." Sakura shrugged.

"That's not a problem. Neji and I work well together, I've been on missions with him several times and we've always complimented each other very well. We're on the same team for crying out loud! I don't see why it would be a problem with him being my partner for the wedding."

Poor, sweet, innocent Sakura. Kakashi had understood what Naruto was saying the moment Neji's name came from his mouth and how it'd be "interesting". Shaking his head, he watched how the hell Naruto was going to explain this one.

"Well, uh.. No, you're right. It's not a problem, per se.. I mean, he sort of requested to be assigned with you anyway.. for that exact same reason and.."

Sakura stared at Naruto, not really sure what the hell he was trying to say. Everyone else in the office seemed to understand what was going on but her, and it was starting to piss her off. "Well? Out with it. What's wrong?" A ting of irritation painting her words.

"Well, Neji may sort of, kind of, most likely, actually.. Neji is most definitely in love with you." The words came out fast with almost no gaps in between words. Sakura just sat there for a long moment staring at Naruto as she mentally went over what he said.

It was obvious when the realization hit because Sakura's face slowly turned to the same pink color as her hair. ".. what in the blue hell?" Sakura muttered, ".. Wh.. when did this happen? Why does everyone seem to know things like this before I do?" Sakura sputtered, her eyes wide with shock.

"Apparently for a long time now. Didn't you notice your missions with him becoming more frequent than not before you both joined ANBU? And how you just so magically ended up as the same team as him?" Came Tsunade's voice, pointing out the obvious that her apprentice seemed to have miss.

"Yeah.. but I didn't think it was because.. I mean.. I just thought it was because we worked so well together.. and because I'm a medic.. and.." Sakura went silent as her face went from pink to red, "How could I have been so blind.. oh dear god.. this is not.. " Sakura was officially flabbergasted.

Kakashi chuckled to himself, "Well, I have to give him credit, at least he's not blind. He sees exactly what Naruto and I see.. it's hard not to fall for you, Sakura." Sakura shook her head and put her head in her hands.

"I was off better not knowing this. Why did you tell me, Naruto? Now things will be weird and I will know and.. ugh.. why?" Sakura sighed deeply and shook her head, getting from the chair she had gotten comfortable in, she excused herself and disappeared into a whirl of Sakura blossoms.

Naruto shook his head, " She's probably right, I shouldn't have said anything." Kakashi smiled softly and got to his feet as well, "I think she just feels bad for Neji, after having Lee chase after her for the past how many years to no avail.. I guess she's had her fill of unrequited love.. considering where her's got her.." The air grew somber and everyone remained silent for a long stretch of time. "I'm going to go do some damage control and see if the missus is alright. I'll let you know how it goes." With that, Kakashi was gone.

Naruto looked over at Tsunade, "Did you have any idea about their relationship until today?"

Tsunade shrugged, "I had my suspicions." With a grunt, Naruto put his head on his desk and groaned.

&.&.&.&.

Saskue walked about the village, he'd been exonerated from all his crimes after he'd been found not guilty of all crimes when the truth came out about Danzo's actions and everything that came with them. During his time with Sakura, he had gotten his eye sight back which was almost entirely gone when he'd arrived back in the village. His arm and various other parts of his body had also been fixed by the young Medic, all of which he'd been told were impossible.

It still bothered him though, the fact that Sakura's heart belonged to someone else and she was no longer yearning for him. She had cast him aside as he did to her so long ago and all his attempts at luring her back was all for nought. He wasn't sure when it happened, but the thrill of the chase became.. just a thrill and he found himself wanting her more than ever. He did have a clan to rebuild. But why? Why her of all people? Why Sakura?

He couldn't even pretend to not have an answer to that question. He knew exactly why. She had loved him when he least deserved it and didn't give up on him even when the threat of him killing her was prominent. She eventually did give up on him somewhere along the way, probably because he had hurt her so much. He didn't blame her. Not only was it that, but the fact that she was so much stronger now. She had this courage and strength and just this general air of confidence around her more times than not.

Of course he knew why he'd fallen for her, she didn't want him any more and he missed the feeling of her pursuit. Now that his mind wasn't set on gaining power and revenge.. he could focus on bringing back his clan and finding a suitable mate.. and after dating several women and coming back to Sakura's apartment and seeing her comfortable in her own skin.. he realized no one else would do because no one else was Haruno Sakura, the Godaime's apprentice and best medic nin in all of five nations.. as well as a renowned ANBU ninja, which he was sure she thought she'd kept that information away from him.

There was something that caught his attention, a shocking head of pink hair near a head of silver. They were heading to the Hokage tower and they seemed.. Happy. Saskue cocked an eyebrow and before he knew it, he was following the two.

He stood near by and listened in on the conversation as he kept his sharingan on. To say he was shocked that they were in a relationship would be a lie. He had his suspicions, he knew Kakashi held her heart now but he hadn't a clue how serious they were exactly. Apparently serious enough to consider marriage in the future. The part of Neji loving Sakura was also a surprise.. but not entirely, after hearing everything he decided Kakashi was right, he too could see how Neji would fall for the pink haired medic. He also didn't understand how she missed all the signs. He chalked it up to blissful ignorance. He would never consider Sakura stupid.

When they left, Saskue sighed deeply. Maybe his chance to get her was gone? Maybe he truly did mess everything up.

Saskue smirked, nah.

&.&.&.

If there was one thing Kakashi learned the fastest during his time with the pink haired kunoichi, it was her love for sweets over rode her anger by far. She, of course, tried to hide this fact... but Kakashi won out every time. "Don't be upset with him. He didn't know. And Naruto always means well." Kakashi said with his infamous crinkle eyed smile.

"Yes.. well playing match maker is not the best way to make me happy." Sakura scolded between mouth fulls of ice cream. Kakashi nodded, he understood why Naruto did what he did but he agreed with the woman beside him, he didn't like the prospect of another man wanting his woman.

A knock at the door earned both the shinobi's attention. With a look of pure fear, Sakura whispered in a hush voice, "It's Neji!"