A/N: Sorry for the long update. I had a bad case of writers block. To those who reviewed, favored, alerted, my many thanks.

As of this chapter, the genre of HCBD will no longer be Romance/Humor, but instead will be Romance/Drama. I realized as I continued writing that I will be moving onto more serious situations, but I will keep my funny moments. I can't live without them.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

"Two plus two-"

"Equals four!"

"Seven multiplied by seven?"

"Forty.. nine?"

"Nine subtract twelve?"

"... three?"

"Ah, so close.."

"Does this mean I have to be punished?"

"Not necessarily."

"... please, Sensei?"

Kakashi opened his eyes in a jolt; hands clammy, every muscle clenched and damp with cold sweat. Frozen in place, he counted to ten silently.

One.. Two..

This was not happening. This was not happening. This was not happening.

Three.. Four.. Five..

Sigh... It was just a dream.

Six.. Seven..

What's wrong with me?! What the hell is wrong with me?

Eight.. Nine..

Calm down. Calm down, Hatake. This is out of your hands. It was just a dream. It was just a dream.

Ten.

So he figured he was a sadist. Perhaps it was due to unresolved mommy issues or going through war as a child, but his inner complexes that he developed for whatever reason was not helping anyone.

He flipped over onto his back, still beneath his covers for safety as if the blankets shielded him from the mental stinging of his reality. As expected, Kakashi did not get very much sleep last night. His dreams were plagued by burning emerald orbs, trembling hands and a soft awaiting body, handcuffed and willing to do anything and everything there was to please him.

Now, who didn't enjoy that?

Kakashi had never been so miserable.

His subconscious was killing him. His dreams were increasingly getting more and more tempting. Pleasurable, but he could definitely do without them. Never in his life did he consider himself to be into the kinky. Sure, he enjoyed it rough at times- what man didn't? But this was getting out of hand. Every time Sakura fumed at him he was taken to another place where his feelings were not his own and something primitive inside him took over. And he had the slightest idea why he couldn't control this.

She was Sakura-chan. And she would always be what she was to him. She was comfortable.

But all that was normal! She had always been comfortable to be around. He already knew about all the things that made her her. After all these years of platonic feelings how could his feelings change so easily? How could his opinion of a person whom he never batted an eye towards transform into.. this? Because of one kiss? Not likely. He wasn't the type to become so obsessive over something so trivial.

And that's exactly what this had become. An obsession.

He was drawn to the primal passion that resided in her. It was almost an aphrodisiac, the power of the fire blazing deep in her translucent eyes.

But Kakashi had met a lot of passionate women in his day. Granted, they had been more on the milder side than his little spitfire. He had never encountered anyone so attuned with their emotions and unconsciously wearing those feelings on their shoulder at all times. Wasn't it tiring for her? She was definitely a creature very different from who he was; a man with the ability to hide all his demons behind his onyx stones and stoic demeanor.

Was that enough reason to try to make sense of how strong his lust grew for her? Because they were different? No. There had to be a better reason. There just had to be.

Kakashi couldn't touch her. He couldn't give in. If he couldn't control what he thought, what he dreamed, he by damned would control himself to not possess her as he so craved.

He couldn't even explain his actions from the previous day. He was sure- he was positive that if he hadn't forced himself back into reality he would have done something very, very dangerous.

Hiding in the shadows of his night, alone in the bed that he drowned his seclusion in, where he could not escape the thoughts he forced deep down inside; he closed his eyes and imagined her. He could feel her pressed between the door and his large, solid frame, he could smell the chlorine mixed with her sweet scent, he could see the exact moment she closed her eyes, the burning glare she gave him melting away reminding him that this was indeed not his place to be in. He couldn't allow himself to just use her. To satiate himself in the body he desired.

With a deep sigh he reached for his phone, pressed his number one on speed dial and waited. After only a few rings he quickly ended the call cursing himself for making such a hasty decision in the midst of his turmoil.

"Excellent timing. I just finished up with lunch and was about to take a nap when I saw that I had missed your call."

The light smell of cinnamon reached Kakashi's nose before the slight dip in his bed told him that there was indeed an intruder in his home. He decided it was best to remain perfectly still.

"While I do enjoy playing an amusing game of statue, I would prefer a simple hello or a kind offer of some tea." the tired voice now came from his living room area.

In one quick movement he stood and walked the steps downward that led to where the old man sat comfortable on his couch. "Is there a third option?"

"There's always a third option." came the obvious, frustrating reply that Kakashi naturally ignored.

"I want to go home." he said simply, standing in the outskirts of his living room awkwardly.

"But you are home."

"I can't handle this."

"Sure you can. You're doing just fine, my boy."

He knew he could not win this. He knew he wasn't going to be sent home and that Mylan was going to be speaking in circles. But it didn't hurt to ask. "Can you at least send me to another dimension? You don't have to give me more time." he bargained calmly.

"But you have made such excellent progress here. I wouldn't want to put you through that again."

"I'm willing, if you're willing."

Mylan chuckled, "You're almost there. From what I can see, you're almost there, young one."

Kakashi ran his hands through his thick silvery mane and sat on the couch dejectedly. He was positive he wasn't closing in on anything. "Isn't the point of this whole test my happiness? The tricky thing about my situation is that I'm indeed quite unhappy right now."

Smiling, the old man shook his head, "Do explain."

Hesitating a moment, he searched for the right words to say, "Hmm.. vulgar, perhaps?" There wasn't really a better way of putting it.

"Vulgar." Mylan repeated amused, "You are quite the respectable young man. I doubt you are capable of feeling such a way."

"Are you sure you know me very well?"

"Yes, I am well aware of the explicit literature you are a fan of but I doubt they make you feel vulgar."

This was true. "If I'm to be honest, I'm trying my best. I'm doing things... that I'm not use to doing so I can reach this bar you've set for me but things keep getting out of hand. And in my way. I'm actually starting to question my moral character for once."

"By things are you referring to a beautiful, young woman by the name of Sakura?"

Kakashi sighed.

"I take it as a yes. It's natural whatever your feeling. I tell you, back in my day I use to have that feeling for-"

"Ah, but the difference is is that I don't like my situation." he interrupted, very reluctant to hear about the older man's sex life.

"We've already had this conversation. This is the same problem as last, no? I'm assuming that matters have gotten more complicated."

"Very."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I don't really want to talk about."

"A bit of a shame. With my all powerful telepathic abilities, it is really not needed for you to elaborate on how you're feeling, son. But I just thought it'd be healthy for you to share."

Of course. The old man can read minds. Well, in that case.. he might as well get a second opinion. "I keep looking at her in a way.. that I'm not accustomed to. I don't like it."

"Yes, you've told me so. And that's fine! Go ahead and look, feel, enjoy!" Mylan urged with his hands outstretched.

"It is not fine to look and feel and.. enjoy Sakura." he replied in awkward defense.

"Then what is acceptable to you?"

"Well.. a casual, platonic friendship would be most ideal."

"Friendship." the old man echoed.

Kakashi nodded a simple confirmation.

"I see," Mylan hummed in contemplation, "Are you vulnerable around her?"

Taken aback, Kakashi's brows furrowed. Vulnerable? Was there ever a time in his life where the living actually made him feel such a way? "No." he answered calmly.

"Ah, I believe you are.." the old man said with an omniscient twinkle in his eye.

"There is a difference between lacking control and vulnerability."

"You're vulnerable right now."

Tempted to reply with an indignant 'No!', Kakashi inwardly sighed instead. Was there any point to argue?

"You are definitely almost there."

"What makes you say that? Nothing I've done has had any progress."

"Actually, you're doing quite well for being the almost hermit you are. I'm surprised you made it this far already."

"I shouldn't have called.." Kakashi mumbled looking far off at some inanimate object.

Mylan laughed, "Sometimes one has to leave themselves vulnerable to really feel. Just let go, Kakashi. Just let go."

"I don't understand. What do you mean by just let go?"

"Just let go." the old man repeated for the third time.

"No matter how many times you say it, I still won't understand."

"I think we're done for today. Just take heed of my words and I'm sure you'll find your way." and with a pop and a minuscule cloud of smoke, the mystical man disappeared.

Kakashi rested his head on a fist and shook his head. "Well, that wasn't very useful."

He was messing with her. Kakashi was using his sexuality to his advantage. She was sure of it. How could he do this? It was no secret to either of them that she found him.. irresistible. It had taken her all month to learn to separate and control herself and she was doing such a damn good job, too. Then the all mighty one just had to get her hot and bothered for no reason!

Sakura already learned that he was a person that used alibis and excuses to get out of whatever bad or unwanted situation he was in, but she wasn't aware that he also used his body to do this.

How low.. How unbelievably low of him!

Just because she was furious didn't mean he could use his body against her.

Well, two could definitely play at this game.. Even though she knew he wasn't interested in her, he was a man too, and she could be beautiful when she wanted to. If he was going to continue to use this tactic she was going to be forced to use whatever means she had to win.

A few days had passed since that.. that- okay, she wasn't going to lie to herself- pleasurable, but very stupid incident and he was acting like nothing had happened; greeting her normally at school, barging into her apartment to eat her food, and speaking casually as if he did not have a guilty conscience.

That bastard.

In fear of it happening again, she had decided to stop yelling about the bumper boat incident. And she really wished she could.. He deserved it and she was still angry!

"Hey, Haruno!" called a soft, feminine voice from the back room of her laboratory, "You can clock out early today! Go celebrate!"

She inwardly groaned, "Okay!" she replied begrudgingly. All week she had been trying to get some overtime hours in but there had been huge budget cuts statewide in healthcare. Meaning no money to pay her. If this kept up she was seriously going to have to consider getting another job.. but she had no idea how she could balance that. Between medschool, her regular job, internship and now her project with Kakashi, was there even a place that would hire someone for an hour a day? And no, prostitution was not an option.

"Are you buying the drinks?"

"Do I ever buy the drinks?"

"Good point." Genma leaned back, both elbows against the bar behind him while taking a long, satisfactory sip of his liquor. "So, have you tapped that yet?"

"What are you asking me?" Kakashi wasn't very familiar with the slang of this world yet.

"Your pink haired temptress. Have you boned down? Done 'it'? Have you had sex with her?" he said very blatantly.

The silver-haired man took a swig of his drink acting completely unaffected by the question lingering despite his mild irritation. Genma said his peace, wanting a reaction from him, but Kakashi really didn't feel like indulging the bastard. "I was thinking about treating but I think it's your turn to pay this time."

"Damnit.." Genma cursed himself, "Wait.. why do I have to listen to you?"

"I don't know why you do." Kakashi answered honestly. It just always seemed to happen this way.

"Ah." his friend nodded, not knowing why either. But he was accepting it either way. Less thinking for him. "Bastard."

"No more questions about her and I'll consider paying for myself."

"I don't know man. From what I witnessed that time at the club you're going to have to talk about it one day. Whatever is going on in that brain of yours is probably eating you alive and eventually you're going to seek me out to vent out your woes and other bullshit." he said smugly, taking another taste of the bittersweet, brown scotch in his hand.

"Nothing is bothering me." he lied through his teeth, "... and what makes you think I'm going to talk to you about it if it is."

Genma smiled triumphantly, "Ah ha, there is something up."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Kakashi shrugged off his comment even though he felt a slight pull inside of him to vent out his woes and other bullshit to this asshole; yes, an asshole, but a willing-to-listen asshole.

Genma smiled omnisciently. "I'm your only friend that has nothing to do. The goodnatured Kakashi would never bother his friends with his crap while they have enough of their own crap."

His ears picked up. Other friends? "So how are these friends doing?" he asked curiously. Of course he had no idea whom he was close to in this world. It was obvious he and Sakura met but they didn't share the same relationship he was familiar with. He was curious of the people his counterpart was close to, but he didn't want to create another awkward situation. And it wasn't like there was a written log or photos in his home that gave him any clues.

"Oh, that's right. They were telling me of how much of an ass you been. Call people sometime."

Kakashi smirked, "How's Kurenai and Yamato? Iruka?" he threw out the names hoping, sincerely hoping that something would click.. or he'd have to find a quick alibi.

"Ah, well Kurenai and Asuma won't be back till mid September, I believe. Since that little monster of theirs turned five they've been taking him on every excavation from here to kingdom come."

He felt his ears go temporarily deaf. Did he just hear him right? Asuma was.. alive? He could feel his heart stop and as the seconds ticked on, slowly it recovered beat by beat as he processed this astonishing revelation. This horrible world of cars, arcade games and wrong temptations was now shining a beacon of light in a place inside him that he had forgotten.

This was a world where his friend was alive.

A world where he was able to live as both husband and father as he so well deserved. Where his sacrifices were not his life, but of normal civilian sacrifices.. A small grin, impossible to detect lifted under his mask as Kakashi allowed himself to bask in this enlightenment.

... Perhaps others were alive too? And, for the first time since his childhood, he allowed himself a small luxury that he was so very unfamiliar with; to hope for the impossible.

"And the butt buddies will be picking up their little girl next week in Sunangeles from their surrogate so we won't be seeing them for about eighteen years. Ball and chain. Ball and motherfuckin' chain."

"What are you talking about?"

"Yeah, Yamato and Iruka. Who else do you think I'm talking about because it sure as hell aint us."

Whaaaaaaat?! Kakashi's jaw dropped. If his heart dropped before, it was now currently six feet under. Not that this news stole Asuma's thunder of being, well, alive, but.. Who would have thought? Ah.. It did explain a lot of uncomfortable situations. But.. well.. shit. He couldn't even think coherently.

"You're acting like you've never walked in on them before."

Kakashi made a sour expression.

Genma laughed, "Yeah, it was bad."

With an imperceptible shake of his head, he smiled despite himself looking outside the bar window. "Well I'll be damned." He took a swig from his beer, surrendering to a feeling of satisfactory calamity that felt both intriguing and nice.

A low hum of an engine flew overhead as two tall figures walked the terminal gates in a rush. It had been a difficult and aggravating three months. It was good to be home.

"Aren't you going to carry your own bag?" said the dark, long-hared one wheeling two very large suitcases.

"You're body type is much more capable to handle the heavy lifting." Came the apathetic reply from the lithe, pale one who was currently jotting down details of his surroundings into his pocketbook.

"Bullshit." He shouldn't have brought him. He knew better than this!

"Yeah, I don't know why you chose me this time. Sakura-chan would have been the better choice. Or if Naruto-chan wasn't filming.." he grinned a little too creepily and too satisfied with his statement for the other's taste.

"Why are you so weird? I don't even know why I try."

"You enjoy my company." he calmly reasoned while trying to hail down a taxi outside the revolving doors.

"Tch. Like hell I do." he grumbled, mumbling to himself of the other better alternatives he could have taken than to have this so-called friend accompany him on his business trip. An alternative like being alone.

"Remember, I'm the quietest one and the least lazy."

The long haired one snorted while barely acknowledging the cab driver taking care of their luggage.

"Think about it." he reinforced, grinning again in a way that made his friend's skin crawl.

After several moments, the other shrugged realizing that this was the sad truth he lived.

Feeling slightly tipsy, Kakashi opened his door and took careful steps into his apartment, making sure not to fall down any set of stairs or just fall down. It was still early evening but the effects of the alcohol made him sleepy.

"Can you make money?" he heard the sweet, cajoling voice come from his living room. Kakashi frowned, hearing the underlining desperation in that voice.

"I'm not sure, but that isn't any way that you should be talking to a dog." he was intrigued to find Sakura and Pakkun lying with their backs on the floor while staring at one another straight in the eye upside down.

"He gets free living and food. This brat has to bring home the bacon somehow." she narrowed her eyes enviously.

The silvery haired man laid down on the mahogany floor a few feet away from them, closing his eyes, enjoying the effects of his buzz. "Actually, I bring home the bacon and he eats it. I doubt grocery stores allow pets to purchase things. Maybe you should write a letter? Who knows what window of opportunities you could open for them." he mused.

"You know what?" she rolled over to point at the pug, "I think I should. There is no free lunch in this world."

"It's almost frightening how you sound more and more like Tsunade-sama, everyday."

"Compliments. All of them." she smiled, craning her head to regard him. There was something a little different about him, she noticed, as he laid there, arms crossed over his chest, eyes closed. Although he was the epitome of carefree, he was radiating a type of emotion that Sakura had rarely felt from him. "You seem happy." she regarded softly.

That word. That one word that was the source of his torture perked his ears. His eyes met with hers and the entranced way she was gazing at him confirmed it.

"I am." The sweet realization was making him feel better by the second.

Sakura laughed lightly before sitting up. "Well, at least that makes one of us." she commented casually, pulling Pakkun by the hiney with both hands to her.

Kakashi tilted his head to the side in curiosity, "So I guess it's my line to ask you if anything's wrong?"

"Ass."

"Only way to show I care." he smiled.

Sakura let out a soft sound of amusement before cradling the small dog rather tightly, she glared again. "I've been trying to get some overtime all week but this stupid economy and stupid lack of funding can't afford to pay me."

"Want a raise?" he offered casually.

"Just because I know the boss doesn't mean I should take advantage of it." she rolled her eyes and laid back down as Pakkun squirmed his way out of her grasp. This lady was sometimes just too much for him!

"You're entitled to it. I do take up a lot of your time." he shrugged. "And you're doing research for me on the side. Why not?"

"No, the money should go to the facility instead of my pocket. It's better for society." she sighed. Knowing Kakashi, he would have easily given her that raise she needed but her conscience wouldn't allow it. Justice was for people who had money. She had no idea why she was trying to live so righteously when she could end up homeless soon.

"Get dressed." she commanded pushing herself off the floor to stand.

"I'm almost positive that I'm not naked right now."

"Nicer. Less wrinkly. You're talking me out."

Kakashi opened his eyes and was startled to see his student peering down at him with such determination. "Can't it wait till tomorrow? You see, I was with Genma and got a bit tipsy earli-"

"Like you said, I've been spending time helping you come up with ideas for your research and willingly going out there with you to experiment all for free. And you got me kicked out of one of my favorite places. For life. The least you can do is take me out."

Kakashi closed his eyes and laid still, feigning as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Hatake Kakashi, don't make me ask twice. I'll be back here in thirty minutes and you better be ready. Or else." she was already at his door, slippers on.

"Or else, what?"

His answer was a simple slam of his door that gave him start. Sighing deeply he forced himself off the ground and made way to his closet. Luckily for Sakura he was in an excellent mood for being compliant. Not because she made him slightly afraid..

Kakashi smiled as he pulled a black dress shirt from its hanger. He was feeling.. good.

The pair was seated at a small table located right at the front of a small dance floor. To his pleasure, Sakura had brought him to a place he actually found himself taking a liking to- a nice, small candlelit lounge with a full soft jazz band- the type of music Kakashi had taken a liking to while staying here. There weren't many people, just enough to make the vicinity look full, and all looked to have the same goal as he did- to drink quietly while enjoying the company around them. The music didn't hurt either.

"Told you you'd like this place." Sakura flashed him a winning smile.

"Well, I suppose this is a bit better than laying on my floor all night listening to your attempts on teaching Pakkun how to make money." he smirked, "It is pretty nice."

"Is that a compliment I hear?" she laughed, casually taking off her cloak and draping it over the back of her chair.

Kakashi was taken aback by the sight of her. His breath hitched as his lazy eye trailed over her figure. She was currently dressed in an elegant white dress- heart-shaped neckline, chiffon pleated skirt, strapless with its only accessory being a simple ribbon that was a pale color of her hair wrapped around her waist. Her hair was piled atop her head in small intricate braids. Pearls adorned her neck with matching studs on her ears. She was a vision. Simply beautiful in every right.

Kakashi was surprised to find himself growing more and more attracted to the elegant simplicity Sakura emanated than the women who wore plunging necklines and little black dresses. To put it simply, he found her stunning.

"Thank you." she answered simply as if she read his thoughts.

"I didn't say anything." he raised his brow curiously.

"You didn't have to." she shrugged all-knowingly.

Before he was able to retort a clever response, a waiter swooped by and smiled graciously at the two of them. "Welcome to the Six Paths, I'm Nagato, and I'll be your waiter for this evening." Kakashi's eyes widened as he stared into the gray eyes of the blood-red haired man in front of him. "What can I get the both of you?"

"Hmm.. I'll have a midori sour." Sakura smiled.

"One midori sour coming up." Nagato repeated and wrote down into his small writing pad, "And for you, sir?"

"Beer.. any kind." he said, his eyes transfixed on their polite waiter. Wasn't this man suppose to be the deceased, recovering sociopath he was more familiar with?

"Of course. I'll be right back with your orders." he smiled again and stealthily left.

"Are you alright?" Her words of concern went deaf to his ears.

What was going on?! What in the hell was going on?!

Nagato, in this dimension, was very much alive and seemingly very normal. Perhaps this kid grew up the right way as he deserved, not thrashed around and left abandoned from war. Asuma was alive as well. The main question boggling his mind was who else was here? In this world of technology and careers, who else that was suppose to be dead, was alive and thriving here?

The thought earlier had left him feeling more than content but actually seeing someone that was suppose to be long gone, he found himself growing more unsettled. However hopeful and excited he was, he couldn't deny there was a shadow of fear trailing by. And the fear kept curling and growing deep inside him and he couldn't completely understand why. Shouldn't he be glad as he was earlier? But what if..

What if he reunited with someone precious to him and he'd lose them again for the second time? Or what.. if it didn't go well? Could he handle that? As carefree as he was, there was no denying that the last few decades of his life were remotely healthy. Everyday he spent in silent desolation at the obsidian memorial etched with names he could not forget..

What if everyone was here? Did he want to know? Did he want to see them?

"Kakashi?" Sakura's brows knit together, her forehead creased in concern observing his transformation from the seemingly very happy man he was earlier to a ghost of what he was in mere minutes. What happened in the last few moments? Did she say something?

A soft, warm hand was placed over his that was resting on the table, breaking his thoughts.

Sakura peered at him guiltily, "Kakashi, if you're not feeling well, we can go. Sorry for forcing you out tonight, it's just-"

"Let's dance, Sakura." his eyes crinkled as he took the hand that was placed over his in his grasp. He lead her silently to the dance floor, something he had never initiated in his life. But he needed the distraction.

Although she was curious to whatever was bothering him, she understood he was not the type of person to open up when asked. He would share only what he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted. So instead she allowed him to use this tactic to smother whatever he was feeling aside and for him to regain a casual facade for tonight. It wasn't her place to intrude but she could try to help him feel better for the time being. And she already accepted she would always find joy with helping him; to be there for him.

If he wanted to dance, she'd dance.

His eyes were still crinkled in a smile when he smoothly pulled her to him, one hand encircled her waist while the other held her delicate hand to his wide, muscled chest, swaying to the soft sounds of the music playing. She wasn't able to look into his eyes, or rather, he wouldn't let her. Instead of trying, Sakura closed her eyes and leaned her body into his strong one, her cheek resting in the place between his shoulder and the crook of his neck.

Be it the intoxication or his apparent fear that his precious people were alive and his life was about to be turned upside down again by a cascade of unresolved issues he had carried for the majority of his existence- Kakashi allowed himself to take small comfort in the little body he now held in his arms. All his cloudy thoughts of how he should treat Sakura, how he should feel about her, how he shouldn't feel for her, were pushed back into the very back corner of his mind. He needed this. Right now, he needed this most. He closed his eyes and it was easier now, his emotions siphoning from his mind as he fell into a plane of calm.

Fighting the urge to breath her in, he instead allowed himself to rest his cheek on the side of her head while he pulled her closer against his hard frame as they swayed to soft melodies. And he sighed in contentment.

Sakura brought her hand that was securely at his side, around his middle and she languidly began to stroke his back, his stiffened muscles slowly relaxing to her touch. She felt guilty. Here she stole a perfectly happy, drunken man from his comfortable home because she was having a bad day. And whatever happened that set him off, he was still with her making an effort while it was obvious that he was in no mood to. His melancholy was like a plague, seeping and invading into her system, calling to her her instincts of wanting to heal his ailments with whatever means necessary.

"Kakashi," she addressed against his shoulder.

"Hn."

"We can leave if you want to."

Her soft, guilt-ridden voice reached his ears and he smiled. He took a minute to think of their relationship over the past month and really realized how much they had grown from that awkward day in the park, to slow dancing in a dimly lit room with one another.

While he prided himself on his ability to guise his emotions to others', his Sakura back home was able to pick apart his mannerisms that spoke of whatever agony he was feeling. If Pakkun peed on the carpet, if Naruto broke another vase of his, or if he had a flashback of a moment in time where he felt the most inadequate..

The Sakura in his arms was already blessed with this gift of really knowing him. Maybe the soul they shared was born to know him this well.

"We can stay." he offered softly.

"No, we should leave."

"Sakura, let's stay."

"If you're not feeling up to it we should-"

"I'm feeling up to staying."

"Yeah, he wants to stay." said a new voice, low and menacing.

Kakashi froze. Each word spoken flowed into him in slow motion. A cool wind ran through him and try as he could to forget, he would recognize that voice anywhere.

Sakura didn't notice the way Kakashi stood clenched underneath her fingertips. She pulled away from him slightly but still remained in his embrace, only because he couldn't find it in himself to move just yet. "You guys can leave." she glared.

"Free country."

"I'm afraid he's right, Ugly-chan."

She laughed lightly before fully separating herself from Kakashi's arms and pulling the two dark haired men into a bone-crushing hug that only she was capable of. "It's been months since you I've seen you two and you get on my nerves before you say a simple 'Hello' or 'How are you'. Assholes."

The long-haired simply glared while the other smiled happily at her, as if this situation did not bother him one bit.

"Hello! How are you, Ugly-chan?"

"Sai, if I didn't know you so well, I'd think you were mocking me." she smiled widely and released them, shaking her head, "I'm fine, thanks. You have more manners than someone here."

"Tch. I have more manners than both of you combined."

"Did you or did you not threaten me when you first got here?"

"I didn't threaten you!"

"Sure sounded like it. You sounded quite mean and scary." Sai nodded in agreement, as if it were very obvious.

"See!" she childishly stuck her tongue out at him.

"That's just my voice. I can't do anything about it." he glared at the two of them and finally his gaze trailed over the silver-haired man's statuesque frame. "So who's this?"

Sakura's eyes widened as she looked between the two men before instantly veiling her surprise. She smiled as confidently as she could. "Kakashi, these are my two best friends; Sai and Sasuke. Sai, Sasuke this is Hatake Kakashi, my friend. Now shake hands."

Kakashi wasn't sure if he had processed any part of their conversation, his lazy onyx eye fixated on the Uchiha that he hadn't seen in half a decade. Mechanically, he outstretched his hand and as expected the socially inept Sai was the first to grasp his hand. When it came to Sasuke's turn, Kakashi could not help the apprehension and adrenaline coursing through his veins. He felt himself want to give up before trying. Just as he decided to let his arm to fall at his side, choosing not to accept this, to not shake hands with death, a strong, confident hand caught his in a firm squeeze.

This was.. impossible! The boy before him- actually, the man he grew up to be seemed.. normal, compliant and though begrudgingly returning the handshake, he was here. Alive.

Kakashi blinked unwilling to let go. Uchiha Sasuke died. His student, one he had personally trained, passed on the jutsu of his creation to, listened to his woes, saved his life countless times, watched fall into darkness and was unable to do anything about it.. one he cared deeply for- this boy died in their arms. He died! Try as he might, the horrible image flashed before his eyes again. A memory blurred by his tears of a scene of his precious students and himself holding the Uchiha as the final shudder overtook his broken, bleeding form before the very end.

This was what he was afraid of. What he was thinking about only moments before, and now he was staring death in its pit-less eyes of a boy he once cared a great deal about. That he still cared for.

"Well, it was wonderful meeting you both." he forced an eye-crinkled smile, "But I'm afraid I have to cut this evening short. I seem to have forgotten my neighbor's kitten on my terrace and it is pretty chilly tonight."

And before they all could make their reply, he was gone.