Hi there! Sorry for the longer wait but I've been a bit busy with work and life in general. I'll get better at updating faster ^^

So enjoy!

It was starting to get colder as the day progressed. Sakura once again groaned silently and blushed as a schoolgirl. She smacked her head once more with her hand. What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I do that? Okay, so he wont remember but I will. He is my ex-sensei for kami's sake. I'm such an idiot. I should probably stop reading that book. It gives me stupid ideas.

She already put the book away into her backpack and tried to get some rest until Kakashi wakes up but as soon as she closed her eyes she started to fully grasp what she did just few moments ago. Since then she was unable to stop blushing and groaning at her own stupidity.

"Aaaaaaah." She started walking around in small circles and trying to calm herself down. "Stupid, stupid, stupiiiiid." She was about to start ripping her hair out when she heard Kakashi groan behind her as he was waking up.

This time she slapped her cheeks and bit her bottom lip. Don't panic, he doesn't remember anything that happened. Just turn around and act normal. Yes that's good, just smile.

When Kakashi woke up and looked at Sakura he kind of wished he was still asleep. She turned around and had the most frightening smile he had witnessed. Ever. She could turn it into a good way to scare off her opponents. He wasn't sure if he wanted to ask her to stop. This is how he imagined a mantis right before devouring her mate after coupling. He was afraid she might kill him or bite his head off or something very violent. Actually being killed right now might be an easy way out.

"Ehm." He cleared his throat and had his fingers crossed that it won't trigger some violent reaction from her.

"How are you feeling Kakashi? Are you ready to go?" She asked and waited for his answer still with that creepy smile .

He quickly assessed the state of his body. As he stood up to stretch he could feel a faint throb in his thigh but otherwise he was feeling alright.

"I think we can head out. Why don't you lead the way Sakura-chan. I'll cover the back just in case some more of them follow?" And it will be probably safer for me if I don't have to worry about you stabbing me in the back with that freaky smile of yours. He finished in his head.

Sakura quickly nodded and picked up her backpack and trailed off into the distance without waiting for him. He just stood there and scratched his head. I'm not sure if I want to follow.

He hunched his shoulders as a small boy being called in for diner from the playground, nevertheless he picked his backpack up and followed Sakura.

They travelled in silence and Kakashi kept his distance just in case. Sakura didn't complain and lead the way. She stopped just once when she wasn't sure witch way to go. Kakashi just silently pointed his finger in the right direction still not sure if talking won't get him killed.

The sun was about to set down when the roykan came into view. The forest subsided and a clearing could be seen all around the building. It was build at the base of a small mountain. To the right in the distance one could see the signs of inhabitation, probably from the small town that was not too far away. Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.

Sakura finally calmed down when she saw the ryokan. It was in a beautiful setting and the building itself had traditional architecture and it seemed quite old and... grand. That was the word that came to her mind as they entered through the main gates. There were all kinds of buildings around and it more seemed like a home of a noble family than a ryokan.

The moment they stepped through the gates all stress and fatigue from the fight and travel washed off of them. It was a strange that just the scenery itself could cause you to calm down so incredibly fast. It was tranquil.

A big sakura tree was dominant in the courtyard and a small pond right next to it with koi fish swimming in it only magnified the feeling of harmony that settled on them when they entered. Her heart calmed down the minute she set her eyes on it. It was a beautiful scene that nearly brought joy to the observer. She actually stopped in her tracks when she saw the small pink leaves fall magnificently down onto the water.

Sakura was so lost in the moment that she didn't notice running Ino who almost knocked her down as she embraced her.

"Sakura, are you alright? What happened?"

"Hi Pig. Yeah we are fine. Seemed that they were old friends of Kakashi. Who were they anyway?"

"They were the ones that attacked my team on our way back from my last mission. Seemed they wanted to get revenge for their leader that I disposed off. If Raku wasn't injured so badly I would have taken care of all of them. " Kakashi said almost apologetically. It wasn't like him to leave an unfinished job but he didn't think they would be able to mobilize again with their leader dead. And saving a partner on the mission had higher priority than fighting with some badly organized rouge ninja. His thoughts were interrupted as a voice interrupted them.

"Welcome Kakashi-san, Sakura-san. My name is Kotone." A small girl walked to them and bowed low. She was dressed in a simple yukata and was about the same age as Sakura and Ino but looked smaller and more fragile. She wasn't too pretty with a plain face and walnut brown hair, but here eyes were something that made he more pretty. Their color resembled the color of an apricot.

"Ayako-sama has asked me to lead you to your room and kindly invites you to the dinner in one hour. Please follow me." With that she turned around and started to lead them inside the biggest building.

Sakura was looking around the building and was impressed by the whole feeling she got from the place. As they entered it had a small entrance hall where one could get their shoes off and slip on comfortable slippers. Sliding doors opened to a larger lobby-like hall where few chairs and tables were on both sides and at the end in the middle was a reception desk where another girl sat. She was a bit older than Kotone and all Sakura could notice when she bowed to them as they were passing her was her light blue hair and pale blue eyes.

Kotone informed them that she is the other servant that works here and goes by the name of Izumi. Sakura though it was a very fitting name for someone of that hair and eye color.

They walked to the end of a long hall and that is when Sakura noticed that Ino is still walking beside them.

"Don't you have your own room?"

"Yes I do, and it's gorgeous. That's why I want to see yours." She smiled and almost hopped as she was walking. Sakura narrowed her eyes at her. She knew when she was acting this way that something happened. Better said someone.

"Why are you so happy?" Sakura inquired carefully.

"I'm just happy you arrived safe. That's all." Ino replied still smiling like an idiot.

"Yeah sure and my natural color is black." Sakura replied sarcastically.

"Really?" Kakashi asked surprise in his face.

Sakura just rolled her eyes as an answer to Kakashi's question and turned back to Ino.

"So are you gonna tell me who it is or do I have to make you tell me?"

"Fine. It's the cook in the kitchen. He is the chef." Smiling unable to change her expression.

"Really? A cook? When did you have time to meet him?" Sakura asked not really sure she believed her. As they passed one sliding screen into a courtyard Ino squeaked a little and grabbed Sakura and pointed her finger at a man walking in the distance.

"That's him."

Sakura's jaw almost hit the floor when she saw him but before she could say something to Ino she was already halfway through the courtyard and aiming at the innocent cook.

"He does look a lot like .." Kakashi asked Sakura who was still staring at Ino disbelievingly.

"Yep."

"Isn't she a bit too shallow for that?" Kakashi asked again.

"Yep."

"Does she not notice?"

"Nope."

"Hn."

"Exactly."

A small cough sound alerted them back to their small guide trying to usher them into the further most room with opened sliding doors. When they entered their room she reminded them about the dinner and pointed to the other room where they could find a proper attire for the evening. A welcome gift from Ayako. She said she will wait nearby in case they needed anything. With that she closed the sliding doors and left them in their room. Well it was more of an apartment.

They were standing in a big room with a small table with fruit on top of it. The room had four doors, one that Kotone pointed to was on the right side. The other small door on the right side led to a bathroom. Sakura was a little disappointed that it had only a shower but when she turned and opened the bigger sliding doors that were opposite the entrance she let out a "Wow."

Outside was a miniature garden and a small natural spring bath with steaming hot water. The garden was surrounded by natural rocks on one side and by big ornamental bushes on the other. She would jump right in if they weren't invited for dinner in one hour. She unwillingly tore her eyes off of the little liquid heaven in front of her and went to see what was behind the last door.

She didn't have to open the sliding doors as Kakashi was already inside and sprawled on the bed reading his book. It was a big bed with white sheets that had thin black flower patterns on it. The frame was made out of dark wood and it was very low. One would have to crouch to sit on it but it was better than to sleep on futon rolled out on the floor.

She took her backpack and went to the shower to get the dirt out of her hair and her skin. When she was finished she got out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped securely around her body. As she crossed the room to the proper attire she heard a whistle from Kakashi.

"Shut it and get yourself cleaned, will you?" Sakura replied and thrown the small wet towel she had on her hair his way.

When she opened the door she stopped in her tracks. There were two kimono's waiting for them in that small changing room. She went to the red one with light orange obi. It was made out of the finest silk and had big white flowers sewed all over it. They looked like blooming lotus with faint yellow center. She started dressing but realized she won't be able to tie the obi herself. She poked her head out of their room and saw Kotone sitting not too far away. She noticed Sakura and came closer.

"How can I help Sakura-san?" She bowed slightly as she approached her.

Sakura just shown her the untied obi in her hands and Kotone just nodded and followed her inside the dressing room. She tied her obi into place and asked Sakura to sit down so she could do her hair. She tied her hair into a small bun in the back leaving her three long braids in place. She fastened her bun with and ornamental hair pin that had small sakura flowers dangling on the side of it. After that she bowed and left.

Just as she closed the sliding doors Kakashi emerged from the shower dressed in his usual jounin attire with is mask in place and wet hair.

"No you don't."

"What I don't?"

"You're not going to the dinner dressed in that."

"Why not?"

"Because your cousin asked you to join her at her dinner table dressed appropriately." She pointed to the dressing room. "You have a kimono waiting in there."

"So? I'm on a mission remember?"

"Common Kakashi. Don't spoil it. It will really suit you. Pleaaaaase?" She smiled at him as she really wanted to see him dressed in that.

"Whatever." He resign as there was no point in arguing with her. He was just happy she got rid of that creepy smile of hers.

Sakura waited for him to come out of the dressing room willing herself not to giggle. When he came out all her worries about giggling were dissolved. He looked really, really good in it. She didn't expect that.

It was grey and had shuriken patterns all over it. He didn't have his head band on so his mismatched eyes looked at her through his still damp hair falling slightly over them. His mask was in place as expected. She though he will look childish, like a child going for his first festival.

"Shall we go? Or do you want to drool some more?" Kakashi extended his hand waiting for Sakura and had his famous eye crinkle in place.

Sakura blushed lightly and put her hand in Kakashi's.

"I wasn't drooling."

"If you say so." He smiled again and led her out of their room.

I know, I know. Not too much happened but it was still necessary for the story. I promise you will see some action AND action in next chapter ;)

Don't forget to review ^^