Um… so remember when I said I had a plot? Yes, well… about that… you see, I've lost inspiration, so I'm just doing filler chapters and kind of sneaking words in like "danger" and "war" every so often, so if it seems like I'm force feeding you pointless smut with the promise of a plot you've still yet to see… that's because I am. I swear, I know how it's going to end though, I just have to get there.

ARGH DAMN! You caught me, I might go back and re-post the chapter to edit it later, but the line: ..."You kunoichi, you're all the same," Shinji spits. … Shinji did not say that, is was Hiro, in fact I will fix it later, after I post this chapter so you can all see how stupid I am. Argh! That's annoying. Ok.

Quick Question for anyone remotely Irish: do you find the Irish stereotype offensive? My mom's Irish and I happen to love the Irish stereotype, and so does every other Irish I've met, but I told some of my Irish jokes the other day (which are like blonde jokes, really come on people, everyone knows they don't apply to all blondes…) and some guy yelled at me for it, and I was confused, they're funny jokes and not really that offensive… (Two Irish men walked out of a bar) they called me a bigot. I don't get it man! Everyone loves making fun of themselves! Right? So question to any Irish: are Irish jokes offensive to you?


"He what?" Kakashi hisses, his hand on my cheek trembling.

"Shinji, he-"

"I heard you the first time!" He practically growls, rolling out of bed and pulling up his mask.

"Kakashi!" I call as he heads towards the door. "What are you doing?" I curse violently and I fumble through my bag for some clothes, but after slipping on a pair of underwear I can hear him crashing through the halls and decide that will have to do. I tie the sheet tighter around me and hurry after him, nearly running into Shikamaru on the way, who is leaning out the door, watching Kakashi.

"Was that a naked Kakashi?" He asks as I run past, "Oh boy, and a naked Sakura too," he says, sounding more tired than anything as I run down the hall.

I'm soon aware of Naruto and Shikamaru both following us, but I couldn't care less. I've never seen that look in Kakashi's eyes; I have to stop him before he does something stupid. "Kakashi!" I call, nearly running into Akiko as she comes out into the hall to see what the problem is. "Go get Lord Toriyama!" I demand, pushing past her.

I catch up just as Kakashi reaches Shinji's room, throwing the guard at the door down the hallway with the ease he has when he fights. He throws open the door to reveal Shinji waking up slowly in bed. "Hatake-sama?" He asks, confused, rubbing his eyes. "I didn't know you were b-AHH!"

Kakashi cuts him off, grabbing him by the throat and throwing him against the wall. "You think you're so suave don't you?" He spits, following him to the wall and picking him up by the collar of his pajamas.

"Kakashi, stop!" I demand. "He's just a kid; you're going to kill him!"

"Hatake-sama," Shinji chokes out, "Please, let me explain…"

"Explain what?" Kakashi growls, slamming Shinji against the wall again. "How you pretend to be nice and respectful but the minute my back is turned you shove your tongue down her throat?"

"He did what?" Shikamaru asks quietly behind me, surprised.

"No, Hatake-sama, I swear-"

I blink in surprise Zen appears behind Kakashi, clad still all in red, but missing most of her armor. Kakashi tenses, but doesn't drop Shinji. "Zenitha…" he mutters, his hands trembling. In fear or hate, I don't know.

"Kashi," she greets quietly, her poison nails on the back of his neck, pressed against the skin. "It's been a long time."

"If only it had been longer," he bites back, his fists tightening.

"Zen-shi!" Shinji begins, "tell him; tell him what-"

"Shut up!" Kakashi growls. "You little rat, I don't want to hear another word out of you. I wish it was me who tried to kill you!"

"Kakashi!" I turn to see Hironori in the door way next to me, arms crossed; wearing a hastily tied silk robe that makes me think he had been in bed with someone special. Akiko hides down the hall behind him, with Hinata. "If you don't remember: you're on my pay roll, and that happens to be one of the people who I wish to have protected. Put him down."

"Damn it, I'm sick of the men in this family!" He spits, shaking Shinji roughly. "I don't give a damn who you are, if you touch my fiancé… I. Will. Kill. you."

"If you want her to become your wife, you will put her down," Hironori warns, throwing a glance at Zen, who turns her eyes slowly back to Kakashi.

"Kakashi," I almost sob, stepping further into the room. "Kakashi stop it, please." He looks at me, indecision on his face. "He was… he was testing me," I whisper, taking another step. Zen curls her fingers, lifting the metal from his neck and pressing the nails against her own palm. "Lord Toriyama asked him to, so that he could know if I was faithful to you." With another step Kakashi begins to lower Shinji, not releasing him, but letting his feet touch the ground. "To know if he should go against Konoha and let us get married." I reach out to touch his arm carefully, very aware of how easily people could watch my fingers. "Please," I whisper, pressing two of my fingers against his skin deeper than the others. Its crude, but he may understand it, and I can't chance anything more than that. "I passed, Kakashi, we can get married."

He freezes, his fingers loosening on Shinji's collar. The boy slips away while he has the chance, allowing Zen to lead him out of the room. "We can?" He asks, real, true hope, and real, true fear in his eyes. "Really?"

"That's right," Hironori says with a sigh, "as long as you don't kill anyone in the near future."

Kakashi's not listening, he's wrapped his arms around me and is kissing the top of my head, holding my so tight I can't breathe. He presses those same two fingers into my skin as he does so, over and over. Love. Love. Love. I hold him back just as tight, hoping he won't see my eyes wide with fear. What the hell have I done?

"Eh!" Oh no. "Let go of her Kakashi!"

"Naruto, no!"

I turn to see Naruto rushing towards us, both Hinata and Shikamaru reaching out to stop him. But he's already flying forward, fist ready to punch him. Kakashi and I take a collective step back, watching as Naruto flies past us. "Get your hands off her, you dirty pervert!" He roars; eyes red again.

"Calm down, Naruto," Kakashi sighs, releasing me all the same. "How will you look good at Sakura's wedding if she covers you in bumps and bruises?"

Naruto turns to hit Kakashi again, but he simply moves out of the way. "Don't hurt him, Naruto!" I order. "He's still recovering." When Naruto tries to hit him again I catch his hand, popping his knuckles and coming close to breaking his fingers. "He was nearly dead just a few hours ago and I don't have enough chakra to patch you two up if you start this, so knock it off."

"You won't need to patch us up!" Naruto growls, "I'll be fine, and I'm going to kill him!"

"Naruto!" I glance down the hall at Hinata, who is red in the face. "Leave them alone!"

"Hinata, how are you?" Kakashi asks with an eye crinkle.

"You stay away from her, you dirty old man!" Naruto growls, making another grab at Kakashi with his free hand. I tighten my hold on his hand, popping one of his fingers out of the socket. He howls in pain, pulling away. "I'll kill you damn it!" He yells, ignoring me as I pop another one.

"Naruto stop!" his threats continue despite Hinata's words. "Please!"

His hand comes around, completely throwing me off, as he hits me in the face, not with a fist, but an open palm. I let go of his hand, shocked, and he flies at Kakashi. He doesn't hurt Kakashi, of course, but since Kakashi's preoccupied trying to get to me, there are a couple of close calls. I'm too surprised to even blink. This next hit, I see it. Kakashi won't be able to avoid it.

"Naruto, I'm pregnant!"

Naruto freezes, inches from Kakashi's face. I almost want to praise her bravery, but I'm too busy holding my breath.

"Wha- what?" He asks; eyes back to their normal blue and as wide as they could physically be.

"You're going to be a father," she whispers. Naruto doesn't move, just stares with wide eyes. I can practically hear the gears in his head turning.

"Congratulations," Shikamaru says after a long moment. Kakashi and I remain silent, knowing his anger will return if he remembers us.

"With… with a baby?" Naruto chokes out.

"Yes," she says with a smile. What an idiot.

"My baby?" He asks, taking a step towards her.

"Of course!" she says, her tone sharp, making him wince.

"And… and you're not mad?" He asks hesitantly.

"Are you?" she asks. He shakes his head, swallowing nervously as he stares at her stomach. "I'm not either."

"But what about your father?" he says after a moment.

"If… if we get married here there's not much he can do," she say slowly, her voice calm. She must be the bravest girl I know. "Naru-Naruto. Will you marry me?" She asks, blushing.

"No," he says, shaking his head. The devastation on her face is beyond belief, but I've known Naruto longer than her, and I can see what's coming next. I will smack him around some later for saying it like that though. "That's not how it works. I have to ask you."

"Then ask her," Shikamaru says, coughing.

"Oh, uh…" He laughs nervously. "Will you… you know…"

"Marry you?" Hinata asks.

"Yeah, that," he says, blushing himself.

"Yes," she says plainly, smiling.

"Great," Naruto say, scratching the back of his head.

"Kiss her you idiot," Shikamaru says through a melodramatic cough. Naruto jumps, doing just that. She nearly melts in his arms. I blush a bit myself as he swoops her into his arms and carries her down the hall back to their room. "Well," Shikamaru says with a sigh. "I'll be getting back to sleep now. Congratulations Kakashi," he says, shaking his hand. "Nice toga Sakura," he gives me a salute and then slowly starts back towards his room.

"Are you ok?" Kakashi asks, touching my cheek softly.

"I'm fine," I whisper, brushing his hand away.

"I'm so sorry, Sakura," He apologizes heavily. "I never thought he'd turn on you."

"I'm fine," I repeat, pulling at the edges of my sheet.

I start towards our room, kicking the sheets out of my way in frustration. "Did I do something wrong?" he asks, confused.

"I'm not some fragile doll," I say with a sigh, only half making up the source of my annoyance. In reality the heavy weight of panic is rapidly setting in at the thought of him loving me, "You said you had something to tell me, what it is?"

He sighs and follows me silently. When we get back to the room he slides into bed while I put on pajamas quickly. I return, throwing the sheet over him and facing away from him. He hesitantly reaches out to touch my back, signing words I have no interest in hearing.

I'm sorry I've offended you. He signs quicker now, and cleaner. He's been practicing. I swear I didn't mean-

I cut him off, reaching back and grabbing his arm to wrap it around my waist. The mission. I sign on his arm.

He sighs heavily in my ear, annoyance in his tone. I'm not sure but I think what I found is a trade between Iwa and Kiri. My heart pounds in my chest. Geographically, if Iwa and Kiri are together… Konhoa is screwed. It skirts along the border of Bird country, passes through Rain and River, across to Tea, down to Sea, up into O'uzu and Nagai and finally into Water.

Do you know all these countries know about the trade? I ask quickly. Surely we still have some allies.

Ame has to know. He signs. Their border patrols are to strict not to know. And Sea country is in on it, there'd be no reason to Tea going further south if they didn't.

Damn, what about Lightning? I sign back, realizing they're our last significant chance.

"I don't know," he says out loud. "Sakura, what's wrong? Really?"

"Nothing," I sigh. "I'm tired, my chakra levels are low and it's been a very draining day. Go to sleep." He doesn't say anything else, but I get the feeling he stays up the whole night watching me.


I wake up much happier, to the smell of pancakes. I look up in confusion as Kakashi backs into the room with a tray, Akiko carrying a pitcher of what looks like orange juice. Kami I hope there's a bit of champagne in that. "Ok, don't laugh," he says quickly, seeing my expression. "Don't yell either. Please, Kami, please don't throw anything."

"What's going on?" I ask hesitantly as I scoot up to lean against the head board. Akiko places the pitcher and two glasses on the bed side table.

"I made you breakfast," he says plainly. "You were upset, and breakfast in bed would make anyone happy."

I glance to Akiko suspiciously. "You made it?" I ask Kakashi.

"Yes I did," he says, putting the tray over my lap. Akiko nods her head to confirm. "Thank you, Akiko," he says, giving her a smile as she bows and leaves the room, closing the door behind her. "Try it," he demands.

"Will I die?" I ask, poking at the pancakes.

"Eventually, but not because of those pancakes." He says plainly. "Eat."

I scowl and watch him carefully, and then take the smallest bite I can manage. "Oh Kami," I groan, quickly taking another.

"Am I off the hook?" He asks carefully. I nod, not really caring about whatever it was I was mad at him for. "Mimosa?"

"Hell yes," I chime, making him laugh as he pours a glasses of the drink.

He sits beside me patiently, quiet. "It wasn't true, was it?"

I pause, swallowing carefully and putting down the silverware. "What wasn't?"

"What you said, last night." He looks up to meet my eyes, making me melt.

"I wasn't ready to say it," I say after a moment.

He sighs, closing his eyes. "Then you didn't say it," he says softly.

"Did you mean it?" I ask. He had only said it after I did. He might have… no. He meant it, I could feel it. "I'm sorry," I whisper before he has a chance to respond.

"I'm not," he mutters, leaning back. "Now you know where I stand."

"Right there," I say with a laugh. "You're always standing right there."

"What's that mean?" he asks, giving me a look that's half way between a smirk and a scowl.

I think about it for a moment, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully. "It means," I say slowly, "that I need to pay more attention to your insane rambling. Did you sleep much last night?"

"Nah," he says with a yawn, "I went out to sit on the roof."

"Talk to Zen?" I ask tentatively, nibbling on a strawberry.

His jaw clenches, and he looks away. "I may have ran into her."

"Did you pass the test, Kakashi?" I ask with a teasing smile.

"Yes," he says quickly. "It's not like that with her… not anymore anyways," I almost want to laugh at the guilt on his face because of a past lover.

"Who is she?" I ask softly.

"Was she, more like," he says, leaning back on the pillows. "You remember my old team? Team Minato?" At my nod he continues. "Zenitha is Rin." I freeze staring at him in shock.

"But you said Rin… You said they all died," I whisper.

"They did," he says with a sigh. "Zenitha is… she's Rin's… reincarnation I suppose."

"She's not nearly young enough though," I say softly, shaking my head. "If she was born when Rin died…"

"No, it doesn't work like that," he sighs. "When I first met Zenitha she was the same age she is now, and that was years ago, long before Team 7." He's quiet for a moment, thinking, before he continues nervously. "She isn't actually Rin, but somehow… somehow she has her memories. She knows Rin's most personal thoughts. I… I stayed with her for a few years because of that. I left Anbu for her; trying to get away from Konoha. I wanted to be with all that was left of my old team." I hold my breath to stop myself from gasping. Kakashi deserted Konoha, he left the leaf once before. For a woman. No wonder Hironori wanted to know if it was worth it. "Anyway, she turned against me, tried to kill me, and I nearly killed her myself… but…"

"She's all you had left," I whisper. "You couldn't throw her away." Kakashi nods. "She showed me her scar," I edge, pointing to my own mouth. He sighs, looking away. "You wish you had killed her now?"

"No," he sighs, looking down at his hands. "I wish I had convinced her to come back to the leaf. Instead I left her here with Hironori."

"She said she had trained all over the world…" I say softly.

"Did she?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "Are you finished?" He point to the tray on my lap. I nod and he moves it quickly, setting it aside. "Did you want to talk about the wedding today? I figure you'd want to get that over with?"

"As soon as possible," I agree, "Perhaps we could get Hinata and Naruto into a double wedding?" Kakashi shrugs. "Very helpful," I sigh, rolling my eyes.

"It's your wedding," he says with a grin, "you just tell me what you want and I'll make it happen."

I smile. "Shinji as your best man."

"No." He says, grin still in place and he shakes his head once.

"What an inconsiderate husband; won't even give me my one wish on my wedding day," I tease. "You're a liar, Kakashi,"

"Inconsiderate?" He asks in mock surprise, "Liar? What about my feelings, huh?" he grabs my side teasingly, tickling me. I try not to, I really do, but a second later I've broken out into giggles, twisting on the mattress to escape his hands. When he finally stops he's got me pinned between his arms, both of us breathing heavily, him hovering over me as I look up at him through my messy hair. His expression looses the excitement and turns tender as he watches me carefully. "It this ok?" he asks cautiously, his voice low and calm as he trails his hand through my hair, pushing it out of the way.

I don't reply for a moment, just thinking it through. There's no panic there though, this feels good; this feels right. "Yes," I whisper, "This is fine, this is good." He reaches up and pulls down his mask with a sloppy smile, kissing me sweetly, slowly, as if we have more than all the time in the world. I'm inclined to agree. As his lips move lazily against mine I feel as if this is the only purpose in my life, as if in holding this man in my arms in the most important mission I've ever received, a life-long mission. He lowers his body, so he's not working as hard to hold his boy up, also bringing him closer to me. There's no urgency here, we're just… content.

I sigh as he pulls away, kissing my lips chastely once more for good measure. "That felt…" He rolls to the side so he lies beside me.

"Right," I finish. He looks over at me.

"Perfect," he says, stretching his arm out to me.

I yawn, rolling over to lie on his chest. "I think that's where we are," I say softly.

"It's a good place to be," he agrees, rubbing my back. "Easy."

"Too bad we're getting married soon," I say absently, tracing his muscles through the fabric of the shirt he had worn to make breakfast. He laughs softly. "This is weird though; usually you're shirtless when I'm in your arms."

"Mm," he agrees softly.

I chew on my lip a bit before feigning a cough. "Do you think you could make that happen?"

He laughs, pulling away to remove his shirt. "Anything for my favorite fiancé."

"See: that statement means more because you've had more than one," I tease softly, recalling our conversation about Genma. I can't help but admire his chest as he lies back down, leaving me sitting up looking at him. I trail my eyes up slowly, glancing at various bruises and half-healed cuts. There are a few old ones here and there, most of which I know the stories behind now, a few which still remain a mystery. I drag my eyes up further, taking in the view of his rarely exposed neck and stopping suddenly at his equally exposed chin. "No fucking way," I mutter, eyes wide, not moving from his chin. What a nice chin. There's a little nick slightly off center, it kind of made me wince, just thinking about it. "Put your mask back on!" I demand, tearing my eyes away.

"I thought you wanted to see…" he trails off, the disappointment evident in his voice.

"Not like that!" I gasp, shaking my head. "I wasn't ready; you can't spring it on me like that." I feel like I'm scolding a child, but I can't help it, how dare he? "Put your mask back on, we'll do it right!"

"But you've already seen it…"

"No, no, I didn't look that far," I growl. "Just let me do it right."

"You're insane," he mutters, pulling me around to look at his masked face, his eyes showing flat annoyance.

"Don't look at me like that," I scold, coming to my knees. He moves so he's sitting with his legs out in front of him, bent gently. "Ok, ready?"

"I was ready ten minutes ago," he sighs, resting his arms on his legs lazily. He may look calm, but I can see how nervous he is. I realize belatedly that he had wanted to do this quickly so he couldn't change his mind… oops.

"Ok," I say softly, scooting forward. He reaches up to pull his mask down, but I catch his hand. "You'll do it too fast," I say simply, hooking the fingers of my other hand over the edge of the fabric. I scoot just a bit closer, so we're almost touching, and take a deep breath.

"Just do it," he mutters. "Like a band-aid."

I bite my lip, ignoring him, and pull the mask down, just so it's half way down his nose. Straight lines, un-marked skin, good…

"Sakura…"

I pull the mask down, off the tip of his nose. Oh what a lovely nose…

"Damn it, Sakura."

Just a bit more and I'll see those lips. I know there's no buck teeth, or fat lips, but…

The traitor reaches up, grabbing my arm and pulling it down in one quick motion.

"Traitor," I mutter, looking him over with a plain expression. Those soft lips look just as nice as they feel, and the nick on his chin seems to fit perfectly when combined with the cut over his eye, which continues all the way down to below his cheek bone.

"Not happy?" He asks with a pout so cute it brings an involuntary smile to my lips.

I lean forward and press my lips against his, smiling all the while. His arms wrap around me, pulling us backwards to lie on the bed. "So happy," I mutter, kissing him again. "So damn happy."

He smiles, sliding one leg between mine quickly. "You had me worried there for a minute," he mutters, a goofy grin on his perfect lips.

"You should have saved this," I giggle. "Maybe for the next time I was angry with you?"

"This was more of a thank you, actually," he says softly, running his hands down my sides carefully.

"For what?" I ask, scowling.

"For saving my life… for being precious to me… for letting me…" he hesitates, biting his lip cautiously. "For letting me love you."

I allow my expression to soften, licking my lips before I lean in slowly to kiss him. A sweet, gentle kiss, where our lips cause the perfect amount of friction, so when I pull back it feels as if it's actually difficult to do so. I sigh heavily, resting my head against his shoulder, happy at the groan I entice out of him when I nibble at his neck. I smirk slightly, kissing my way down to his collar bone; where I lick a scar, following the line. His hand presses against my back, holding me closer.

"Sakura," he groans.

"Lower?" I ask with a little grin, running my fingers down the middle of his chest, to the waist band of his pants.

He breathes a few short, heavy breaths, leaning his head back a little. His hips rise a bit as I lick his chest, pulling at his skin a bit with my lips alone. A deep groan echoes in my head as he moves one hand down my body resting on the curve of my waist. I repeat the action with my lips and his hands tremble, fingers digging into my skin. "Kami," he breathes, swallowing roughly. "Where the hell did you learn to do that?" he asks; his voice rough.

Genma. "Ino," I mutter, doing it again.

He groans again, grinding against me in a way that makes me bite back a moan, and in the process bite his skin a little harder. "You… you two… practice?" He asks, voice shaking.

Not with her… "Maybe once or twice," I smile at my own lie, knowing Ino would be up for it… she and Anko had been quite friendly a few years back.

"Fuck," he growls, trying to flip us so he is above me, but I force him back down into the mattress.

"You stay," I growl, sitting up, knees on either side of his hips. He smiles, his hands going to my own hips.

"You always did like being in power, didn't you?" he says with a forced laugh.

"So many years of being weak…" I run my hands down his arms, grabbing his hands on my waist and forcing them back above his head. "I'm through," I practically growl, kissing him hotly as I pin his wrists to the bed.

"Sakura…" he pleads, lifting his hips pitifully.

"I think I'll invest in some handcuffs," I mutter thoughtfully.

"My bag," he gasps. "Bottom, next to the shuriken." I laugh softly. "No joke," he pants. "They're there." I stare at him for a moment before I release him and prepare to swing off the bed. He catches me in mid air with one strong arm around my waist and tosses me back onto the bed on my hands and knees. "Next time," He growls in my ear, pulling me by the hip against him.

I nearly melt as his teeth skim my ear. "Kami… how did the tables turn so quickly?"

"You let your guard down," he mutters, grinding against me. "I taught you better than that, didn't I?"

I smile despite myself. "Yes… sensei." He groans in response so loudly I can feel the vibrations in my chest.

I wince at the sound of a tap at the door. Kakashi holds his breath, lips pressed against my shoulder. He shakes his head against my shoulder as I open my mouth, but after a moment I speak anyways.

"Who is it?"

"Who do you think?" Shikamaru.

"What do you want?" I ask after a moment.

"Just let me in would ya?" he sighs.

"No," Kakashi growls. "Go away."

"I think you'll want to hear what I have to say." He sounds a little off, as if he's embarrassed.

"Come back later," Kakashi orders. "Why the hell does this keep happening?"

"It's about Neji." I freeze at that. It's not about Neji, it's about the mission.

"Kakashi," I mutter, letting my shoulders sag a bit. He sighs and slides off of me, kissing my back on the way down. As he gets up he slaps my ass, making me squeak. I drop onto the mattress, rolling over to watch Kakashi slump off to the bathroom, where he slams the door shut with a huff. A moment later the shower turns on. I laugh softly and re-arrange my clothes. "Ok, come in."

Shikamaru is indeed blushing. He doesn't even look in the general direction of the bed. "Uh… Tsunade wanted you to know that if-"

"No one's listening these days, Shika," I sigh, glancing towards the bathroom door.

"Don't get carried away, Sakura," he warns, following my gaze.

"Thrown over the shoulder and carted off already," I say, waving my hand dismissively. "I think we're going to have some messages to send back with you though… once Kakashi comes back…"

Shikamaru rubs the back of his neck, blushing. "What happens, Sakura? What happens when the mission's over and you go home to Konoha?"

I bite the inside of my lip, shrugging. "Who knows?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," I look up to see Kakashi in the door way, towel around his waist, shivering, face bare. "He's seen it before," Kakashi says at my startled look.

"And here I thought I was special," I say with a pout.

"I'll make it up to you," Kakashi says with a wink that makes Shikamaru roll his eyes.

"We've found some troubling facts, I'm afraid," Shikamaru says softly. "About you, Kakashi."

Kakashi bristles, looking away. "It's not as important as it would seem."

"Tsunade seems to think it is," Shikamaru mutters, on edge.

"Not anymore," Kakashi sighs in response.

"What's going on?" I ask quietly.

"Kakashi has a cousin," Shikamaru says with a smile. "A hidden relative, he never felt the need to tell anyone about." Kakashi starts to speak, but Shikamaru cuts him off. "Don't you think your wife should know about your other life, Kakashi?" Kakashi falls silent. "I'm sure you can figure it out, Sakura."

"Hironori," I say clearly. "Your mothers were sisters… right?" Kakashi watches me carefully before he nods. "I thought there was something more to it than just friends…"

"There's more to it than that," Shikamaru says softly. "Kakashi left Konoha, years ago, he never returned from an Anbu mission. He was here with his cousin, for a good deal of time. How many years was it?"

"Sakura, you know why I left," Kakashi says softly, shaking his head.

Zenitha. No… Rin. "He's not a threat to the mission," I say after a moment, watching Kakashi carefully. "His ties here are broken."

Shikamaru starts to argue it, but Kakashi cuts him off. "Though Sakura was not aware of my genetic connections to Hironori, she did no I was friendly with him, I did not hide that. If there is nothing else you'd like to charge me of we have some information for you." Shikamaru falters, but then finally nods after giving me a quick look. Kakashi grabs a scroll from his bag quickly and opens it across the foot of the bed.

"What's this?" Shikamaru asks, looking over the map.

"Underground trade route," Kakashi says easily.

"Shit," Shikamaru says with a groan.

"Tsunade's fears were correct," Kakashi says softly. "It'd pretty effective too."

"Hironori's behind this?" Shikamaru mutters.

"We don't actually have any reason to believe he even knows about it," Kakashi says with a sigh. "He seems to be preoccupied with other matters at the moment."

"So what's your plan?" Shikamaru asks, flicking his eyes up to me. Stopping something like this generally involves dangerous missions, and often, someone dies. I had been trying not to think about that, but the look in Shikamaru's eyes conveys his concern.

"I was hoping I could just cause a couple little cogs in the machine to throw whoever is in charge off," Kakashi sighs. "It'll be much easier to simply slow them down until Konoha gets word of this. I'm not in any position that could bring a stop to this at the moment, and I am sure as hell not going to try without backup."

"Well you know you can get any recourses you need the minute you ask," Shikamaru muses. "Tsunade wants Sakura kept safe above all else."

"Yeah, she told me that," Kakashi says, glancing to me. "I could actually use your guy's help." Shikamaru nods. Kakashi nods to the door leading to the personal hot spring we had still yet to use. After a moment they both more to go outside.

"Hey, no hold on!" I say in loud protest. "I want to know, come on Kakashi, I'm part of this."

"Sakura, he says with the smile that's behind the eye crease. "It's nothing you need to worry about, and I want you worrying as little as possible." I pout at him until they're outside and have closed the door behind him, and then fly to the door, ear pressed against the surface. "Sakura," Kakashi says clearly. When I don't move he opens the door, taking my chin in his hands and pulling me into a kiss that sends my world spinning. "Go back to bed," he mutters against my lips. I nod and stumble off thoughtlessly.

"Damn it," I growl quietly when I'm sitting in bed, realizing what he did. I get up and grab my hair brush, trying to sort out the angry mess on top of my head. Just as I'm getting the brush through it smoothly the door opens and the two come back in, Shikamaru looking a little upset.

"See ya later, Sakura," he mutters as Kakashi shows him to the door. "You sure, man?"

"Positive," Kakashi say without any hesitation, just a smile. Shikamaru leaves, shaking his head.

"What was that all about?" I ask with a pout.

"You," he says, smiling at me in the mirror as he wraps his arms around me.

"Me?" I ask with a squeak of surprise when his lips touch my neck.

"Mm, oh hey," he pulls up, looking at me watching me carefully. "I meant to ask you earlier… did you enjoy my book?"

I cuss under my breath. "I forgot to read it," I mutter.

"You went through all that trouble…" he shakes his head slowly.

"Well if it makes you feel any better I really just planed to look at the pictures anyways," I shrug and he scowls at me carefully. "Does he do the drawings?" Kakashi nods dejectedly. "He's a very good artist." His pout is still in place and absolutely adorable, so of course I try to kiss it away. It works quite nicely.

"We should actually get dressed," he mutters against my lips as her pins me to the dresser, trailing kisses along my neck.

"Why's that?" I ask with a tremble to my voice.

"We need to talk about the wedding, and if we're not dressed we won't talk," he nips at the skin of my neck playfully, drawing a groan out of me. "So why don't you go take a shower, I'll get some clothes on, and then we'll go talk about this in a public place?"

"That sounds like a horrible plan," I growl softly.

"Please, Sakura?" He pleads, pulling away to turn his puppy dog eyes on me.

"Fine," I say with a sigh. He releases me calmly and watches as I sway off to the bathroom. I smirk and before I'm completely through the door begin to remove my shirt. He groans softly, but lets me go. I giggle to myself as I turn on the water. What the hell am I doing?


God I hate this story! Why don't they just have sex already? (cuz the author sucks at writing shit like that)

Um… to tell you the truth I've never read a scene between Kakashi and Sakura with Sakura being in charge, (which confuses me… because he's lazy, and she's crazy powerful) I wish I was better at writing citrusy-stuff. Anyhow, I hope that was decent. My room is under construction, so I wrote this on the couch watching TV with my parents… more than a little awkward. (I'm 18 btw, just in case you care… so it's not incredibly lame that I still live at home, my 20-something brother does too.)

Ah-hahaha. 'Krazed. Ryuu. The three of us… we're gonna give the world hell. Got it? Except I just started a new job and can't ask for time off now, and then I have school starting in a month or so… so… I donno when this will happen… BUT IT WILL HAPPEN! yeah…

AnimeFreak- I have a lap top, no worries. I can update anywhere. : P

It seems like my author's notes are getting longer… but that's ok, right? I mean, the chapters are getting longer too…