Sakura tried to clear her mind as she walked imminently closer to Narutos room. She let out a breath before putting her hand on the doors shockingly cold handle and opening the door.

"Right where I left you." She said giving the bed ridden Naruto an uneasy smile.

Narutos face flushed beet red. "About earlier..." he choked a little on his words.

"Forget about it Naruto." She said waving her hand dismissively as she sat back down on the chair she had sat by his bedside.

"Okay." he replied readily, looking down at his hands that were clasped on his lap.

An awkward silence followed while neither of them knew what to say.

"So," they both started simultaneously.

"Go ahead." Sakura said tiredly, since she really hadn't had anything to say anyway.

"Well, Tsunade already briefed me on what's been happening mission wise, but she didn't tell me what was going on with you? You look a little tired Sakura-chan." he said with care and concern.

"I am. Naruto. I'm just tired." she sighed rubbing her temples, and resting her elbows on her lap.

Kakashi gazed up at the sun that had simmered down to an orange cool orb.

He had his hands in his pockets sullenly walking along. He was hoping his little white lie about being on a mission would keep Sakura away from him. Besides, she had to keep care of Naruto. Which, despite his denials and great efforts to ignore it-the jealously dug it's way into his mind. It was so laughable! What right did he have to claim Sakura? She obviously doesn't really harbor feelings for him, that, and their relationship would be strange.

The ninja saw a rock and in his tiff kicked it with his shoe. It clicked along the pebbles of konahas back streets and landed in a small puddle of water.

"Now, what did that rock do to you?" Anko said looking at him bemusedly leaning on a wall her gray eyes focused on him, demurely like a lazy cat.

Kakashi gave her a cold silence.

"Oh, stingy and cold—as usual." She said standing up off the wall to put her hands on her hips.

The man didn't want to talk to her, he never recalled being able to talk to anybody. He was extremely anti-social and he wasn't about to change suddenly just because he might be having some strange delusions all of the sudden.

"Are you really going to ignore me like that. I mean really? You're always so rude." she said tilting her head to one side in a sad manner.

"Lady troubles?" she insisted now walking up beside him.

Kakashi couldn't help but jump a little.

"Don't you have something better to do?" He asked her in a quiet but condescending tone. She was a little surprised by the acid in his words.

"No, not really." she said still not losing her humor, and a little intrigued by his uncharacteristic show of emotion. Usually he remained good natured and stoic. "Come on, you can tell me." she insisted. Suddenly he was gone in a plume of mystic smoke. "That man." Anko harrumphed.

"Hey, there you are!" Euraka said suddenly appearing. "We're having a teachers meeting."

"Very well." Anko said immediately becoming professional.

Sakura finally left Naruto. She was tired and just wanted to sleep. A part of her just wanted to hover over Naruto forever making sure he never got hurt. Tsunade who was one step ahead of Sakura, assured her that there would be someone with him twenty-four seven, and that she would not permit Sakura to become crazy over protecting her long lost friend. She told her that once the replacement guard came, she was to leave. So, when the Anbu arrived, Sakura left--albeit reluctantly.

The pink haired woman was sick and tired and she just felt ill. Kakashi consumed her mind suddenly and she had the urge to see him. She stopped the pain in her chest became almost unbearable. She felt like something was wrong. She had to go see him, but he was on a mission wasn't he?

Tsunade came around the corner and perked up when she saw Sakura.

"Well, how's the boy?" she asked.

"Is Kakashi back?" Sakura asked inadvertantly ignoring the Hokages question.

"Back?" she said raising an eyebrow.

"Well, from his mission?" Sakura said as if she was talking to a slow individual.

"I never sent him on a mission. Sai--"

Sakura pounded passed the Hokage without a word.

"Sakura?" the blond inquired placing a thoughtful hand on her chin.

Kakashi stumbled into his apartment—drunk. It was irresponsible of him, and he felt extremely stupid now that he couldn't even walk a strait line, but what was done was done. He regretted it now and would regret it even more tomorrow.

A knock sounded on his door.

"Kakashi?" it was Sakuras voice inquiring. If he wasn't mistaken she sounded a little angry.

"I'm not here!" he said before thinking. He cursed inwardly. Why did he have to be such a dumb drunk?

There was a silence. Then the door opened and Sakura stood there looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Was that a joke?" she asked. The anger was evident in every aspect of her body.

"Nope." he slurred dropping on his couch.

She watched him now a little bemused. Her anger had quelled slightly at the spectacle before her.

"Are you drunk?" she asked crossing her arms.

"Nope." he said simply trying to cross his legs, and after failing the second time he settled on just stretching them out.

"You've got to be kidding me right now." She said rolling her eyes. Her former sensei was always warning her about the dangers of drinking too much. He had scolded her when she drank too much on her eighteenth birthday a couple years ago.

"Ah.." he exhaled and began to undress himself, or he tried to take his shirt off but he gave up when he couldn't get it around his forest green jacket.

The pink haired shinobi walked over to him, giving him a somewhat superior grin.

"What's wrong with you? You never drink." she said her eyebrow raised—as if permanently set there.

He groaned and pulled his mask off so it rested around his neck.

"I feel like shit," he slapped a hand on his forehead. "Actually, I think I feel worse than that..." he looked at her with his gray eyes sullenly.

Sakura sat beside him on the coach resting her hands in her lap.

"Do you love Naruto?" he asked suddenly breaking the quiet. "I mean..." he said looking at her like she had kicked him in the shins. Sakura took a moment to process what he had said.

"Well, of course I love Naruto. Why wouldn't I?" she asked, blinking her green eyes at him.

"Ah, I thought so." he slurred a little trailing with the 'o' at the end of so.

"Maybe you should get some rest Kakashi?" she suggested putting a lock of hair behind her ear, as she looked away from him. She turned back to face him with surprise, at the sensation of his fingers in her hair. He looked so sad. Kakashi scooted towards her, until his thigh was up against hers.

"What does it mean when you kiss me?" he asked referring to the kiss they shared, leaning over her--forcing her to move back a little.

Sakuras mouth worked. He was so close to her now, and she could smell the sake on him. Even so that strong smell mixed with the air in a blur of sensation as he leaned over and placed his lips on hers and en-laced his fingers in her hair. Sakura kissed him back and just when she thought she was going to run out of air, he released her.

"What does it mean?" he asked. "What's the difference?" he asked his face still only inches from hers so that their breaths mingled.

"Difference?" she asked, confused.

"Between me and Naruto?" he asked before his head fell on her shoulder, unconscious.

"I love you." she said, even though he couldn't hear her.

Sorry for shortness and lateness!