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Thirteen

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If there was one thing Kakashi hated, it was the rain. He hated how one simple downpour could turn a nice sunny day into dreadful gloominess. He wondered why it felt like years before the month of July elapsed. The shifting weather was starting to get on his nerves. For a person who couldn't breach the imaginary shell that separated him from everyone else, he really didn't appreciate the rain adding up to the whole melancholic theme. He longed for the sun to balance his seclusion. He needed light to make his stagnant life less burdensome… to make him forget that indeed, he was alone.

And not to mention that it gave him the flu a couple of days in the midst of a retrieval mission. He knew he should be seeking some help in the hospital to stop his right shoulder from bleeding. Instead, he found himself walking towards a familiar path.

It was still raining and he was soaking wet. He felt sloppy but that did not stop him from raising a fist to knock three times on the wooden door.

It took a few minutes and a couple more knockings before the door was answered.

"Good heavens, Kakashi!"

He said he needed the sun to balance his seclusion. He also needed the sun to clear the dark clouds away. He briefly wondered if it's the incredible timing or some miracle actually happened when the rain stopped on cue when the door was opened.

Before him stood a rather stunned pink-haired girl with a look of absolute horror on her face when she saw how horrible he looked. "Who—forget it! I'm not asking who did this to you." With an exaggerated roll of her eyes, she stepped aside and said, "Get in."

For someone who hadn't talked for days, both were acting beyond what was expected. Sakura accepted him into her apartment without a word and Kakashi actually had the courage to pay her a visit after avoiding her. The moment she shut the door, the atmosphere turned stale and silence ensued. Kakashi stood in the middle of the small living room, staring at her. Sakura took in a deep breath and tentatively approached him.

It was obviously awkward, facing each other for the first time after the kiss they shared in his apartment. The hurt of being rejected was still fresh… but then Sakura thought she had to face this like an adult and stop mulling over it. "Why are you here, Kakashi?" She inwardly congratulated herself for keeping her voice steady despite being a nervous wreck. As she faced the man who kissed her senseless, Sakura had the urge to either yell or start a decent conversation with him that didn't involve kicking his balls. Apparently, Kakashi was wishing the same thing.

"I'm in need of a medic." He told her honestly, a hand securely covering his open-wound on his shoulder.

"We do have a hospital in case you didn't know. They usually do this job for you." She sounded particularly nasty. She couldn't understand how Kakashi could easily seek her care after what happened and still look incredibly… unaffected. She realized it hurt her even more that Kakashi looked indifferent towards his unintended rejection. Couldn't he understand that he just broke her heart when he pushed her away? His presence was like a sharp kunai digging further into a fresh wound he had just inflicted.

He slightly flinched at how she harshly delivered those words, "You know I hate the smell of antiseptic." Kakashi knew coming here would be a bad idea. He should've given her a few more days. But then, Kakashi could no longer wait. He couldn't keep avoiding her forever. It was tiring and at the same time, a complete waste of time. He and Sakura developed an unusual friendship and he didn't want to waste that bond.

She warily eyed his bleeding shoulder and finally sighed, "Wait here." While she was gone, Kakashi took this time to observe her quaint living room. There were very few furniture and a few framed photos in the corner. Furniture wouldn't be there unless it was useful and Kakashi found this quite practical.

Kakashi saw Sakura waving her hand at him as if beckoning him to enter the kitchen-slash-dining room. She had her things ready on the table as he walked obediently towards her. He sat next to her and waited while she rummaged through her kit.

She first bandaged his wound and when that was done, she checked for fractures. Seeing that the older jounin was now healed and cleaned, Sakura focused her attention on his mismatched eyes.

"You used it again, didn't you?" she accusingly questioned.

Kakashi tried to amend her disappointment with a tight smile, "I had to."

Sakura sighed heavily, "Take off your hitai-ate, please?" She waited while Kakashi did as what he was asked. "Does it hurt?" She knew the question was useless, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. Her cool hand touched the surface of his left eye, soothing the burning pain.

"Unbearable."

"I told you to be careful."

"I've done my best."

"If a man does his best, what else is there?" she softly mused while smoothing his eyelid.

Kakashi blinked his eyes slowly, staring right into her, "You're turning into some kind of a philosopher."

Sakura's mouth lifted in a cocky smile, "Why, I learned from the best." She then proceeded to heal his eye.

"What would I do without you?" Kakashi absently questioned while observing her neat bandaging in awe.

"Well, you could try the hospital. They'd be willing to help." She quipped while Kakashi returned it with a dry laugh. Sakura tried hard to smile but she knew it was hopeless. She was breaking and pretending to be cheerful was hurting her more. She just noticed they were in close proximity when she felt his breath burning her cheek. Throughout the conversation she was trying to avoid contact. But she then suddenly found herself looking up and meeting Kakashi's cool gaze. He didn't say anything and just stared. Sakura wished she didn't appear like she was longing for his touch… for his kiss… for his attention… because she was feeling it all at the same time. Only one move and she would be pressed flush against that hard body she touched a few days ago.

"Are you done?" Kakashi asked, his hand already adjusting his hitai-ate. Sakura looked at him and distractedly nodded her head as she hurriedly arranged her medical kit. She stood up, but Kakashi stopped her, his hand gripped hers tightly. And the next thing she knew, she was on his lap, kissing her former sensei. It took her some time before her mind cleared and realized what they were doing. But did she stop? Surprisingly, she didn't. Should she stop it? She doesn't think she had the strength to do so as she felt herself weakening in every second of having those lips devour her like a drunken man.

Kakashi knew he wouldn't last without touching her. It seemed his craving for her was worse than he thought since he ended up kissing her. Those lips haunted him non-stop for days and during his missions. It was distracting to a point that he knew it was driving him nuts. And to have the opportunity to feel her warmth, kiss her lips, touch her skin and smell her scent was mind-boggling. Thinking straight wasn't an option here.

No, wait, stop! She frantically pushed him away, wiping her lips with the back of her hand as she sat there at arms-length with a look of horror on her face. She appeared to be angered and confused, a clear result of the kiss she wasn't expecting to receive. "What are you doing??"

"I'm sorry, Sakura." It was odd seeing him talk without his mask again and she found herself half mesmerized watching him.

"I already told you," she grounded her teeth, already starting to get angry, "stop apologising."

"I'm sorry." She couldn't understand how Hatake Kakashi's mind works because clearly, he was working automatically like a busted recording machine.

"You're mad." Sakura shook her head in disbelief; the after effect of their kiss was slowly diminishing.

Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, feeling a little awkward himself. He never felt so vulnerable for years and he would have never expected to feel such a way to Haruno Sakura of all people. If someone told him he'd be sitting in her apartment, spouting nonsense just to save their obliterating friendship, he would've laughed in their face.

"Kakashi, why are you doing this?" Sakura portrayed the look of an exhausted soul. She was tired of these games that men always played with her. Why can't she be just a normal girl who falls in love with a boy her own age, who doesn't have a sharingan, who is sensitive and appreciates her for who she was, who doesn't kiss you senseless and then apologizes right after. Of course a fairy tale romance doesn't exist, but it wouldn't hurt for a girl like her to dream once in a while.

When she received no answer from him, she dejectedly continued what she was doing and returned the medical kit back to its cabinet in the bathroom. She couldn't face him just yet and tried to pull herself together while counting to ten. Done, she returned to the kitchen and found him still sitting by the low table, gazing afar.

"Um… you're not leaving yet?"

Kakashi didn't know why his legs refused to move so he could get up. "No." Then something hit him, which brought an odd look on his face, "Are you expecting someone?"

Sakura looked uncomfortable and started scratching her cheek idly, "Sort of…"

Kakashi's eyes narrowed, "Is it someone I have to skin alive?"

Sakura looked horrified, "Don't say things like that!" she looked away and mumbled, "He's you're friend…"

That however, made Kakashi stand up and approach the suddenly, nervous girl. "It's not Genma, is it?"

"… yes." Her voice sounded so small.

"Don't go out with him."

Sakura would've found his warning endearing if he wasn't such a jerk a few minutes ago, "Why not?" she cocked an eyebrow, "You can't tell me what to do." Which was true since both weren't related and… clearly NOT intimately involved with each other.

Kakashi still looked deadly serious. His hands twitched, aching to touch her shoulders and shake her until she realized that what she was about to do was irrational and stupid. Genma was his friend, and like any other ninja, he doesn't believe in love and relationship. He had to admit, he himself shared the same sentiment. That's why all these years, he as much as possible tried not to have any relationship with women because unlike Genma, he doesn't enjoy breaking a woman's heart.

"I'm not telling you what to do. I'm giving you advice."

"Well, I don't need it." She turned away and started preparing some tea and when she came back, Kakashi was gone.

Eventually, her date with Genma was cancelled due to the fierce storm that visited the village that afternoon. Here she was, stuck in the ER, waiting tolerantly for patients who were probably affected by the downpour. Sakura sighed loudly for the nth time that day, staring longingly outside the hospital premises. This day was probably one of those days when you just wanted to bang your head on the nearest wall and wail like an old woman. In short, she was having a bad day.

"Haruno-san, are you alright?" Ruriko was one of the interns assigned in the ER and she was sitting next to Sakura, unfortunately.

Sakura wasn't sure if she could even feign politeness to the girl who probably radiates happiness. It was obvious that Ruriko was out of place with the rest of the ER team sulking at the awful weather. "I feel fantastic." She sourly griped and sent the other intern a dirty look before she stood up and walked away, away from people who gave her headaches. Sheesh, someone needs Tylenol.

And then as if it was on cue, the doors opened and three patients were immediately admitted. Sakura jumped on her feet and went to the nearest stretcher. Dr. Misato was already asking questions to the paramedics. Her patient was a five weeks pregnant woman who was unfortunately squashed by a fallen tree trunk struck by lightning. "Alright, I want her immediately hooked with D5LR, Haruno. Also schedule her for TVS and please page the resident obstetrician STAT!" And from there, her day whirled tragically. The patients kept coming until they ran out of beds. It was fantastic indeed. She knew she should just shut her sarcastic mouth and wash it thoroughly right when she gets home.

She knew something was off the moment she entered her apartment. She flicked the lights on and there by the window stood Kakashi, his back turned towards her. Surprisingly, the fact that Kakashi just entered her apartment without her permission didn't shock her. It was as if it was just normal seeing him there. She threw her keys on the table and took off her coat, "You know I should accuse you of trespassing." Sakura walked around the couch and stood behind him, arms crossed.

"You wouldn't." Kakashi threw a sidelong glance at her.

"Is that a challenge?" Sakura amended her surprise with a tiny frown.

"I'm not here to start a fight." He finally turned and faced her.

They stood in silence for a while. "Then why are you here?" she said at last. When Kakashi kept his silence, Sakura started to lose patience and snarled, "Honestly, Kakashi, I don't know what you want from me!" The angry words hung in the air between them and Kakashi's eyes were shocked. "I-I mean, you were nice to me, you kissed me, you touched me and then said that we should forget about it. And when I was desperately trying to do so, you kissed me again!" Sakura shifted slightly, pointedly, making Kakashi feel her displeasure. "What do you want from me?"

"I don't know." He said firmly. Kakashi honestly couldn't explain anything to her. That night he kissed her, it just all fell into place. She looked beautiful, she smelled wonderful, and those evocative green eyes haunted him non-stop since he learned to gaze longingly at them. The reason why he came here was to get the answers to the same questions bothering her. He felt guilty for letting that incident happen. He was older, he used to be her teacher and he should've known better!

Still ashen-faced but looking very angry, she stepped closer, "Why did you kiss me?"

Kakashi felt like an interrogated criminal, "Sakura," he said evasively. He would've answered it if only he had the answer. He was clueless as it is and Sakura was making it so much harder for him.

"You're skirting around the issue we can't possibly forget…" Sakura flared.

Kakashi's eyes hardened, "It was inappropriate."

"Why?"

"Sakura, I'm your teacher."

"Not anymore."

"I'm older."

"I'm legal."

"Why can't we just forget about it?"

"Because you know we can't!" Sakura closed her eyes briefly and sighed heavily. She slowly looked up at him and met his dark, contemplating eye. There was something in his mind and she could tell he's arguing to himself why he even dared to step in her apartment again.

Kakashi opened his mouth to explain himself but nothing came out. He was a man who used to have eloquence. But standing before this woman stripped him of his wit. He couldn't understand why defending himself from this issue was so difficult if he knew the intimacy they shared was a mistake. Why can't he just tell her that it was just lust that he felt that night? Why can't he just tell her that he was not ready and didn't want any form of relationship? Why can't he just push her away? Because you know it wasn't just lust. You felt something more and it scares you.

Sakura turned away and gave up. She took the few steps separating the small living room to the kitchen and started ransacking the cupboards. Kakashi watched her move around and found himself walking towards the counter. "What are you doing?" Weren't they just arguing a minute ago?

"You're not ready to tell me anything yet, Kakashi. I'm not pushing you." She threw him a quick glance before she started making dinner, "You're staying here, right? You can't possibly go out in that storm."

It never ceased to amaze him how she could shift from one emotion to another. Actually, he was glad for it because he had no idea how he could end that awkward conversation.

Sakura faced Kakashi with a pot nestled against her waist as she asked, "So, what do you want for dinner?"

It was odd how often they see each other without meaning to. The morning was damp and it pissed the hell out of a certain pink-haired medic whose sandals kept on splashing mud on the back of her legs. So she ditched the main road and jumped from one tree to another. And that's when she found the Hyuuga prodigy lounging. Their eyes met and Sakura knew she had to stop and pester Mr. Prim and Proper. "How did the Yui-no go?" Sakura sat next down to Neji who was silently watching the sunrise on a tree branch. She found him sitting alone and decided that this was her opportunity to ask what occurred in the prestigious Yui-no in the Hyuuga Main House.

"It came out well." His answer was clipped, "Hinata wanted to see you before the wedding."

"She'll probably ask why I cancelled all our lunch dates."

"No, I think she just wanted to give you the invitation herself."

Sakura dryly laughed, "What kind of a friend am I? I didn't even know she was getting married…"

"You had your own problems to deal with. We understand." Neji offered her a reassuring smile.

"I feel horrible."

"Sakura… how are you?" Neji solemnly asked as his eyes followed the sun's ascent in the horizon. All he was aware of was Sakura's problems with Sasuke. Neither did he know that Kakashi came into the picture and stole Sasuke's spotlight.

"I'm fine." She told him a little too lively, "I got a wonderful job, a wonderful apartment, an awesome life… what more could I ask for?"

"You were never a good liar." He told her bluntly.

Sakura's fake cheerfulness dropped, leaving an indescribable sour look on her face. "You don't think I deserve a good life?"

"No, I'm weighing what you just said with what Naruto told me."

"Naruto?"

"The guy's not an idiot, Sakura. He has eyes and he could see everything without you telling him." He turned to her and smiled a little, "Don't pretend everything's fine." The girl was stunned, Neji silently observed. She was looking at him as if he had just grown two heads.

When she noticed him staring at her, she willingly looked away, trying to mask the evidence of her shock. "What did he tell you?" Now she was downright curious. It never occurred to her that Naruto was already suspecting something. She thought his random question of whether or not she and Kakashi are romantically together was just his way of ruining her off.

"I've been on the receiving end of a tattletale, but I'm not telling you what I've heard since that would make me… like Naruto." He inwardly shuddered.

Sakura, as always, ignored Neji's impenetrable philosophical ideas and asked in a dead-panned voice, "Let me guess, he told you about Kakashi and I having a possible affair."

"Is it true?"

Sakura didn't know if she should explain herself to him when she herself couldn't figure out what's happening between her and her former teacher. "We have a healthy relationship." She answered with a shrug.

Neji cocked an eyebrow, "Care to elaborate?" His porcelain eyes looked sharp and suspicious.

She sighed, "We're friends. We…eherm, kissed once or twice. I just gave him a spare key to my apartment so he would use the door to enter like any other normal person… He comes to me for medical purposes and then we end up fighting, if not making-out." The latter part made her blush and hot. She couldn't help the images of Kakashi kissing her flash through her mind. As embarrassing as it was, Sakura just couldn't keep her mouth shut and ended up telling Neji things that he shouldn't know… or at least Naruto should know first since the blond was practically attached to her hip. She suddenly felt guilty and wished that Neji's true to his word about him just acting as the receiving end of a gossip… or in this case, Sakura's secret and will not share it to anyone unless he wished an early, painful death.

"That's not healthy," Neji simply said, letting it sound like a general fact. He never thought it was this serious… or that Naruto's assumptions were true.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Are there feelings involved?"

"… I'm not sure."

"Do you like him?"

"I guess," she answered with a careless shrug. "Yeah."

"Do you love him?"

"… I don't know." Sakura was still confused whether she really felt that deep for Kakashi. She couldn't be in love with him so fast, could she? Was that even possible?

"Does he reciprocate your—"

"No, I don't think so." Her answer was quick and adamant. After her numerous attempts of extracting answers from Kakashi, she realized that probably unlike her, Kakashi's not making a big deal out of it. His intentions were to apologize and remedy their damaged friendship. Maybe she was the only fool affected by this attraction. Maybe she was just imagining things.

"You should stop… whatever you're doing."

"If I can, I would."

"Sakura, do you know the consequences of your actions?" Sakura didn't answer him and the question ended up rhetorical, "Don't you think you're just using him because you're still recovering from—"

"Are you insinuating that I'm rebounding from my relationship with Sasuke?"

"Well, that's how I see it."

"That's not true!" Sakura angrily retaliated. She couldn't believe how close-minded Neji was. "I'm over Sasuke. This thing with Kakashi… honestly I have no idea what I have with him. And he's not making it easier for me because he's avoiding the issue." She vehemently spat.

Neji didn't mean to anger her. But it was clear that he already had invoked negative reactions from the girl and so he chose not to add insult to injury by accusing her.

For a little while they gazed at the sky, each lost in their own thoughts and pretending not to ponder further into their conversation.

Finally, Sakura broke the silence by stretching her arms and standing up. "I have to go to work. It was nice talking to you, Neji." Her morning was ruined and the tight-clipped tone on her voice was evidence, "I'll see you around."

"Don't hurt yourself." They both knew they weren't talking about Sakura's safety by jumping to the next tree.

Sakura looked at him with his back facing her. The sun had already risen and she could tell Neji was about to leave himself, "Sure." With an unsure nod, she went off and headed to the hospital with a heavy heart.

TBC

AN: I know a lot of you want to know what I was thinking about the whole NejiHinata thing. But since this is the world of FICTION, I guess not all rules may apply... I think there's a possibility, especially from those families who're still practicing the old traditions to have incestuous marriage in order to preserve their bloodline. I heard that this occurs in so many asian countries, such as China, so I guess the whole idea of Neji marrying Hinata doesn't sound so bad. (And not to mention that I actually like this pairing, being the shameless bastard that I was.) I'm hoping that you'll give this couple a chance and not react so negatively about them.

Oh, and I'm sorry for cancelling Genma and Sakura's date, I'll get to that sooner or later.

Anyway, with that said, I'd like to thank everyone for reviewing. 350 reviews... wow. I feel so loved, thank you! I hope you'll like this chapter as well and I'll be looking forward to reading your reviews. Again, thank you very much! Mwah!