Notes at the beginning this time. I'm going to go ahead and stick an "M" rating on this chapter in particular. It is a bit longer than the others and for that I apologize. You'll see why. ;) I hope you enjoy!

~Sparrow

Chapter Fourteen

The Art of Meadows and Moonlight

Sakura wrapped her arms around Gaara's middle as he hugged her goodbye. "Good luck on your return journey, Sakura-san." His hand pressed to the middle of her back as he smiled at her warmly. "Please, I hope you'll come and visit us again soon–next time on a social call."

"With any luck, let's hope that's the case." She gripped the auburn-haired Kage's forearms as she slid out of his embrace. "We'd love to have you in Konoha as well. The Hokage tower might not be as nice as the palace, but at least the weather is particularly nice this time of year." She thought about mentioning the fact that their tower wasn't under construction and there was plenty of space available–but she didn't want to sound rude.

Gaara grinned. "Thank you, Sakura, I may have to take you up on that offer." He leaned in close to her ear. "Don't tell anyone, but sometimes even I can't stand this desert heat."

Now it was Sakura's turn to giggle. "Your secret is safe with me, Gaara-sama." The two parted as Naruto practically bumped her out of the way so he could get in his own goodbyes with the Kazekage. Sakura had already said goodbye to both Temari and Kankuro, and waved again at the glum-looking shinobi standing by the gates.

"I told you he'd be heartbroken," Kakashi leaned down to whisper in her ear. His arms were crossed over his chest in an oh-so-casual position that was customary to the silver-haired shinobi.

"Oh stop." She swatted his chest with the back of her hand, and Kakashi made a show of rubbing away the feigned hurt she'd caused. After a full night's sleep, her strength had returned and she'd managed to heal herself the rest of the way. She was tempted to leave the bruises on her face as a reminder that even she was still vulnerable at times, but she couldn't stand the way Kakashi was eyeing her wounds. His expression had been murderous; she knew it wasn't directed at her, but rather the man responsible for marring her face. She surmised it was a good thing he and the other guards working for Sumire were being escorted to Cloud Country.

She couldn't say as much for Sumire.

The purple-haired nin had been brought from the prison cells bound in chakra restraints. She'd been given a pair of simple cotton clothes and hiking sandals–garb that labeled her a civilian. Her round face was clean and unreadable, but Sakura thought she could see a crack within the carefully constructed veneer. There was fire burning behind her irises, and she was still so full of rage and pain. Sakura wanted to talk with her, but she didn't want to do it surrounded by a team of Sasuke's Anbu. After all, they were the ones in charge of keeping Sumire in line. Sakura counted ten (in total) masked-men as they set out into the desert with Naruto and Hinata in the lead. Kakashi walked behind them, and Sakura took a moment to fall in line with Sai.

"Hey you," she greeted the dark-haired nin as she linked her arm through his at the elbow. "You've been awfully quiet."

"I'm always quiet," Sai replied with a slight shrug.

"More so than usual," Sakura insisted, "enough to worry me."

"Ah, but you always worry Sakura-chan." Sai grinned at her, lightly brushing his elbow into her ribs as they walked. Thank the gods there were clouds in the sky today, and they were helping to shield them from the intense rays of the desert sun.

"I suppose I can't argue with that," Sakura said, lifting her pale pink eyebrows. "You're okay though, right?" She glanced up at her friend, studying his profile.

"Yes Sakura, I'm fine." Sai's lips tilted at the corners. "I was very worried for you when I learned about what you had done in order to save Temari and I. Sometimes I forget how much you care for me… I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but, it's still hard for me to remember that my life means something more..." Sai paused, looking out at the vast desert surrounding them as he struggled to come up with words to put to his emotions. "It's still hard for me to believe that my life is worth protecting."

Sakura felt a deep hollowness in her chest and squeezed Sai's arm tightly to her side. Gods, she hated Root and everything that it stood for. How someone could manipulate a human being into believing that their life means nothing–that they are only a tool to be used for the 'greater good' was absolutely sickening. "You are valuable, Sai. It shouldn't take me walking into some dark tunnel with only a fifty-fifty shot of returning for you to realize that I would do anything to save you."

Sai was quiet for a moment, dark gaze fixed on something far off. When he finally spoke, he turned his head so that he could look at Sakura. "It will be hard for Sumire to believe, too."

Sakura pressed her lips in a tight line and tipped her head against Sai's shoulder. "So we'll just have to show her that there's another way."

"A better way," Sai agreed, lightly touching Sakura's chin. "I am grateful for you, Sakura."

"And I am grateful for you." Sakura let go of his arm, only to replace her grip more securely around Sai's waist. "Oh, and by the way, you so lost the bet."

Sai tilted his head, frowning down at the pink-haired kunoichi. "I believe you are the one that lost, Sakura. I gave you three days to make good on our deal. You were sent out on the mission the day after–so unless you're telling me you met someone during the mission, then I believe it was I that won."

Sakura giggled. "Come on Sai… everyone else was pretty quick to figure it out."

"Figure what out?" The boy looked truly perplexed.

"Well… I'm seeing someone. He's tall, handsome, and stoical–almost to a fault, but he's a good man and I'm really lucky he decided to look my way." A few paces in front of them, Sakura could have sworn she heard Kakashi's deep, quiet chuckle.

"Am I supposed to guess who this is? I don't much care for guessing games…"

"Okay, okay, I'll give you one final clue… He has silver hair."

Sai nearly stumbled over his feet and probably would have tripped had Sakura not steadied him. The expression contorting his features could only be described as total befuddlement. "Kakashi-senpai?" Sai lifted his eyebrows. "But… he's…"

"Perfect for me," Sakura interrupted his thoughts. "Anyway, I won the bet so that means you have to talk to Ino when we get back to Konoha and tell her how you feel."

"I thought you were going to do that?"

"Yeah, about that… I think it actually might be good for you to talk to her. Think of it as a necessary life experience."

Sai furrowed his brows. "But, what if she doesn't like me?"

"Then she's an idiot and she's missing out on what would possibly be the best thing for her," Sakura said sincerely.

"What if I say something stupid?"

Sakura couldn't help but snort. Sai was known for putting his foot in his mouth, but the boy had a pure heart for what counted. "I can help coach you on what to say if you're nervous, but if you speak from the heart you won't screw it up."

Sai appeared to be considering this. "A necessary life experience," he finally repeated.

"Yep," Sakura agreed.

"Okay." He nodded once. Sai shifted his gaze, looking up at the silver-haired nin in front of them. "So," Sai said, "Hatake Kakashi huh?"

Sakura smiled until she felt the warmth light up her face. "Hatake Kakashi."

~/~

The group of Konoha nins walked until the buttery-yellow arc of the crescent moon climbed high in the night sky and slipped behind a layer of thick clouds that made it difficult to see the terrain. They'd made it to the border of Tanigakure in the Land of Rivers. Sakura had never been more thrilled to see grass so green, and leave the dry, russet colors of the desert behind.

Sakura slid her pack from her shoulders, letting it drop to the ground at her ankles while she took a deep breath of the cool night air. She could smell the rich scents of the earth, and though invigorating at first, they also reminded her of the recent and unpleasant stint underground. Sakura kneaded the tight muscles in the back of her neck with one hand while she watched the Anbu soldiers standing guard over Sumire and setting up a makeshift campsite. Within mere minutes, small green canvas tents were pitched, blending with the forest surroundings in perfect camouflage.

Sakura didn't hear Kakashi approach. Instead, she felt his hands settle onto her shoulders while his strong thumbs worked at the knots on either side of her spine. She felt herself relaxing into his touch; enjoying the way his adept fingers worked out her aches and pains.

"How are you holding up?" Kakashi asked.

"I'm all right," Sakura replied. She leaned against him as Kakashi drew her back against his chest and folded his arms around her middle.

"You haven't taken your eyes off Sumire since we left Suna," Kakashi commented. "You're worried."

Sakura rolled her eyes, once again disliking the fact that she was so transparent. "I just want to talk to her," Sakura breathed out. "She's hurting."

"Don't let her age fool you into thinking she's soft, Sakura. She may be young, but she was born into a cruel practice and she's skilled at the craft."

"I know that Kakashi…" Sakura turned in his arms so she could look at his face–or at least, what was visible of it anyway. Between the mask and the dim lighting, his features were nearly impossible to make out. The moon, it seemed, was still playing hide and seek with the clouds. "She tried to kill Naruto in order to get to Sai–I haven't forgotten that. I just think she deserves a chance to change."

Kakashi stroked the blade of her cheekbone with his thumb, and Sakura felt tiny sparks in the wake of the path. "Some people," Kakashi said, "aren't capable of changing."

"And sometimes," she insisted, thinking of Sai and even Sasuke, "they are." Sakura folded her palm over the back of his hand, keeping it pressed tenderly to her face. She watched his chest expand as he drew breath, but no clever retort left his lips. Sakura turned her face, pressing a kiss to the middle of his palm. "I'm going to check in with Hinata and see if she needs help with anything. See you later?"

"Of course," he replied.

The clouds were thinning overhead–not enough for the moon to entirely brighten their surroundings, but enough so that Sakura could make out who was who in the darkness. Except for the Anbu soldiers of course–they were all still wearing masks. Sakura noted that two of them were standing guard over Sumire who was now perched on a tree stump; her hands were bound behind her back, and her eyes averted towards the ground. Another group had started working on a campfire, and pots for boiling miso and rice had gone up over the flames. Sakura found Hinata there, chopping eggplants to add to their dinners.

"Need a hand?" Sakura asked the dark-haired kunoichi beside her.

"Sure." Hinata grinned and passed a kunai and deep purple vegetable to Sakura.

"You know," Sakura said, "I think I probably have more weapons in my kitchen drawers than I do actual eating utensils. Freaks my parents out every time they come over for dinner."

"So do I," Hinata said with a little laugh. "It's probably just a ninja thing. Though I have to say… my parents are used to it."

"Your parents aren't civilians," Sakura pointed out.

"True." Hinata gathered the neat slices of eggplant and dumped them into the pot in front of her. "Do your parents approve of you being a ninja?"

Sakura nodded as she worked. "My parents were so excited when they learned I'd been accepted to Academy. Before we were introduced to our instructors, the Third brought Kakashi to each of our houses to show him how we lived. I wasn't aware of it at the time, but I heard stories, and I think meeting my mom probably scared Kakashi to death." Sakura giggled at the memory. "She can be a little overbearing with her excitement and she has no sense of personal space."

"I bet Kakashi loved that," Hinata said with a chuckle. "Growing up, he always seemed so… unreachable; like he was on a different level or something."

"For the longest time, we thought he was just a lazy porn-reading slacker. But then we had that damn bell test, and I started seeing him in a different light." Sakura reached over to add her slices to the pot in front of her as Hinata handed her another. "Come to find out he was wicked smart, and talented, and selfless, and brave, and–"

Hinata giggled, interrupting Sakura's train of thought. "Have you told him you love him yet?"

Sakura chopped through her vegetable with a little more gusto than necessary, nearly nicking the tip of her thumb. "Not in so many words," she admitted quietly, "but he knows."

"Knowing and hearing it are two different things," Hinata commented, taking the vegetable and the kunai away from her before she could do accidental bodily harm.

Sakura furrowed a brow and looked at her friend as the firelight reflected on her features, softening them. "How are things with Naruto?"

"They're good," she admitted, "he finally figured out that I've been flirting with him and he's been reciprocating the sentiments–all thanks to you, I'm sure." She paused to point the kunai at Sakura. "But you can't change the subject Haruno, we were talking about you and Kakashi."

Sakura flexed her fingers at her sides. "What if I don't want to be the first to say it?" she said in a small voice. "I… I think I've loved him longer than I realized and I was just afraid to admit it. I'm not used to feeling so vulnerable, Hinata. It's like I'm a kid again."

"Come on Sakura. You're the strongest, most fearless person I know. Besides all that, Kakashi is completely in love with you."

"I don't want to scare him…"

Now, Hinata gave a snort that was not at all lady like. "That man has been through more than any of us realize. I think he can handle it, Sakura." She elbowed Sakura in the ribs and scooped her out a small bowl of miso and rice. "Stop being ridiculous."

"Thank you," she said with a hint of sarcasm, ignoring the way Hinata was smiling at her. Naruto showed up next and began helping himself to the pot of food cooking over the flames.

"This smells fantastic," he commented, splashing the miso into his bowl.

"Just remember to leave some for the rest of us," Tenzo said as he gripped the golden-haired nin by his shoulders. A line was forming behind him, so Sakura stayed to help spoon out equal portions to the rest of the men in the campsite. Kakashi was the last to approach, and Sakura had made sure to save extra eggplant for his portion.

He noticed. He smiled at her from beneath the concealing lines of his mask, and Sakura felt her insides warming just from standing in his presence. "Thank you, Sakura."

"You're welcome." Her fingers brushed against his as she handed him the bowl.

"I swept the perimeter earlier. There's a small meadow just through those trees," Kakashi pointed towards the Eastern Horizon line, "will you join me?"

"I would love to," Sakura smiled up at him, "but first, I'm going to take Sumire some miso and see if the guards will let me have a minute alone with her."

A shadow passed behind Kakashi's visible eye. "Sakura…"

"Just ten minutes. That's all I'm asking."

Kakashi sighed in response and bent to press a masked kiss to her forehead. "Ten minutes," he agreed. "I'll be just through that clearing." He nodded towards the silhouetted tree line.

Sakura smiled up at him before spooning out a helping of miso. She squared her shoulders as she headed towards the Anbu campsite. The two men guarding Sumire stepped in front of her, blocking Sakura from getting too close; Sakura narrowed her eyes. "I brought her dinner," she said through clenched teeth. "She is allowed to eat, right?"

The men didn't respond. Instead, the one wearing a cat-faced mask reached for the bowl of miso and took it from Sakura. She watched the man extend the bowl to Sumire–who stared dumbly at his hidden features.

"You'll need to untie her hands," Sakura said.

"Uchiha Sasuke told us to keep her bound at all times," the man wearing the monkey mask replied with a crisp tone.

"Oh well that's nice," Sakura said, crossing her arms over her chest as she jutted out a hip, "are you planning to spoon feed the girl?"

"If I have to," Monkey Mask replied.

"Untie her," a voice in the darkness commanded. Sakura looked up to see a nearby tent flap pulled back as Sasuke emerged from the shadows. "If she tries anything, kill her."

"But–"

"–Do it," Sasuke repeated.

"I just want ten minutes," Sakura said to him as the man wearing the cat mask began to untie Sumire's wrists.

Sasuke nodded before walking off to join Naruto and Hinata by the campfire. When the men finished removing Sumire's restraints, they stalked off less than ten yards away, making themselves blend with the shadows of the nearest tree line.

"That's better," Sakura said, taking a seat on a rotting log beside the purple-haired girl. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you. Sasuke meant what he said… he always does."

"I couldn't try anything if I wanted to," Sumire responded flatly. "The Suna aids gave me some sort of drug to block my chakra flow. I'm useless as a ninja until your Konoha physicians give me the antidote, so you don't have to worry." Her tone was derisive, but Sakura thought she seemed grateful to have the bindings removed from her wrists. Being spoon-fed your dinner was degrading–especially for a ninja, or anyone who prided themselves on their independence.

"It's precautionary, I'm sure you understand," Sakura said. Yes–she was dishing Sumire's own words back to her from the night Sakura had been taken into the tunnels, but her tone didn't harbor an ounce of venom.

Sumire was a smart girl; she caught the proverbial drift and even gave a small chuckle as she spooned in her first bite.

"Are you doing all right?" Sakura asked after a moment of silence.

"Why do you care?"

Sakura tucked a lock of pink hair behind her ear and crossed her legs at her ankles. "I guess it's just my nature."

Sumire dragged her spoon across the bottom of her bowl before meeting Sakura's gaze. "I almost killed one of your best friends. I held you hostage and had you drugged almost to the point of death because I wanted Sai. That was the mission: do whatever it takes to bring him home. You should hate me."

"Yeah, well, you were terribly misguided," Sakura said. "You've seen with your own eyes that Sai is where he wants to be. We're not forcing him to stay or holding him against his will. Konoha is his home. Team Seven is his family." Sakura paused, glancing down at her hands. "It took him a while, but, he came to realize that there's so much more to life outside of Root and revenge. You can have that life, Sumire."

The purple-haired nin drew her lips in a tight line as she met Sakura's gaze. "But I am a prisoner now."

"We're giving you a second chance… don't you see?" Sakura reached over and folded her palm over the girl's knee. "I don't think you actually believe in Root… You said it yourself–you took a mission objective because that was your father's last request. But you're not free of emotion, Sumire… What you tried to do, you did for vengeance…"

Sumire snickered humorlessly. "You think you have me all figured out, huh? Well maybe you're right about one thing Haruno Sakura. Maybe I don't believe in Root, but I know how to use it. I used it to get what I wanted, and I was good at it, too. I still hate Konoha for what they did to my father… It's your Hokage's fault my mother is dead. If she hadn't exiled my father then–" Sumire bit off the end of her sentence and dropped her empty miso bowl to the ground; curling her fingers into tight fists.

For a moment, Sakura didn't reply. She watched the girl carefully, gauging her facial expression and studying the way her whole body seemed to tense like a stiff board. "You're angry," Sakura said softly, "and you have every right to be."

That admission surprised Sumire, and the girl looked up, locking eyes with Sakura. "What do you know about anger?" she snapped.

Sakura only smiled. "You should have seen me at your age," Sakura replied. "I still have a hot temper; I'm practically famous for it in Konoha. That being said… anger never gets you what you need. It's one of the strongest emotions we're capable of expressing, but it's also one of the most counterproductive."

"Pain and anger are all I know, Sakura…" the girl admitted.

"No it's not," Sakura said, slowly shaking her head. "You found all those people who had nowhere to go and no purpose, and you took them in and gave their life meaning. Deep down, Sumire, you're not a monster. You're just a heartbroken little girl that lost her direction." With that, Sakura reached forward to scoop the bowl up from the ground and stood. The Anbu soldiers had started walking their way, and Sakura knew her time was running out. "The Hokage didn't exile your father, Sumire. Deep down, I think you know that… I think that's the reason why you're really angry."

Sakura caught a flash of the girl's eyes widening and watched her lips part as Sakura began walking away. The Anbu guards were closing in, moving behind the girl to bind her wrists. Sakura only hoped she'd given her something to think about, and maybe–just maybe, it would be enough to make a difference.

~/~

Sakura was both physically and emotionally drained as she made her trek across the campsite. She'd deposited her empty bowl at the makeshift kitchen area in front of the fire, found her companions there, and bid them goodnight. No one asked her where she was going, and Sakura was grateful for the reprieve. She glanced up at the crescent moon peeking down at her through the thinning clouds, and disappeared through the tree line. She didn't have to walk far to find the meadow Kakashi had mentioned, spreading before her in a near-perfect circle that was surrounded by towering trees and tall grasses that brushed against her shins.

She spotted the triangular shape of the tent hidden among the tree line on the opposite side, and smiled to herself as she listened to the sounds of deep forest just beyond. Kakashi usually preferred to sleep out in the open, but extra tents had been provided for them, courtesy of the Kazekage, and Sakura would happily take advantage of the arrangements.

"Kakashi," Sakura said as she approached the tent, "are you in there?" She didn't want to have another accidental encounter with someone in a compromising situation, so she focused her chakra and felt Kakashi's familiar signature tingling through her veins.

"Yo," he greeted her with his eyes creased in a smile as she pulled back the tent flap.

Sakura was surprised to find that she could see. A small fire lantern was hanging from the apex of Kakashi's tent, casting flickers of light and shadow against the green canvas walls. "Where did that come from?" Sakura pointed at the lantern.

Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly. "I keep it on me in case I find myself in a situation where the light is too dim to read."

"Of course you do." Sakura shook her head at the turn of a smile. She glanced down to see that he'd brought her pack inside, and two bed rolls were spread out side by side. Kakashi himself was perched on the one to her right; he was sitting so that one of his legs was drawn to his chest, an arm casually resting across his knee as he held his battered copy of Icha Icha in his hand. Kakashi had taken off his boots and removed the heavy flak jacket, dressed now in his black uniform pants and Jonin shirt. He'd removed his hitai-ate, letting his hair fall messily over his forehead in a way that Sakura found incredibly sexy. Her hands were practically twitching with eagerness to run her fingers through the silken strands.

"Did you talk to Sumire?" Kakashi asked, closing his book and stuffing it back inside his backpack.

"I did," Sakura said as she lowered herself to the ground beside him. She had more to say on the subject, but was finding it difficult to come up with words as she watched the warm amber glow of firelight playing over Kakashi's features. And, there was also the fact that he'd brought in her things and set them up next to his like… like she belonged there.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kakashi asked, angling his chin towards her.

Sakura smiled. "Awfully presumptuous of you to assume we'd be sharing a tent," Sakura teased, rolling herself onto her knees as she leaned towards him, pressing her lips to his carotid. She felt the up-tick of his pulse against her mouth and smiled even wider.

"I told you, Sakura," Kakashi said, his tone low and sexy, "you're mine."

"Mm," she murmured softly against his throat, continuing to press slow kisses down the length of it until her mouth traced a path over his collarbone. She gave him a little nip, and a low moan caught in the back of Kakashi's throat as his hands rolled over Sakura's shoulders, firmly but gently holding her at bay. She looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong Kakashi?"

"I don't want to hurt you," he said, pausing as he struggled to find the words, "It's been a while for me, and…"

Amused, Sakura lifted her eyebrows. "Are you trying to ask if I'm a virgin, Kakashi?"

Kakashi didn't reply. He met the green of her springtime gaze and Sakura noticed the slightest of pink tinges dusting the blades of his cheekbones above his mask. Which reminded her… She reached up, slowly sliding it off his face as she settled her hands on the back of his neck, playing with the shorter strands of hair at his nape.

"Sasuke was my first and only," she admitted to him quietly. "You're not going to hurt me, Kakashi." She watched his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed, eyebrows pulling heavy over his eyes. "I'm sorry if that disappoints you," she added as she tried to gauge his expression. Surely he had to have known…

"No," Kakashi said at length, "no, it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

Kakashi let go of Sakura's shoulders, brushing her hair back from her face. "I told you I wanted to do this right. This isn't some casual fling for me, Sakura. I need you to know that…" Kakashi was looking at her like he was desperate for her to see the words he couldn't bring himself to say.

Maybe Sakura wasn't the only one afraid that saying those three little words would somehow backfire and ruin what they'd always had together… But how could it? She knew this man–knew every quirk and charm and flaw that made him who he was, and loved him in spite of all those things combined. That wouldn't change. It could only grow and evolve into something deeper, and that, Sakura knew, deep within her soul, was exactly what she wanted. She pressed her hand against the side of his face, steeling herself against the swirling current of butterflies that had begun fluttering through her insides and looked Kakashi in the eye. "Hatake Kakashi," she breathed his name, "I'm in love with you."

Kakashi's mismatched eyes seemed to widen at Sakura's confession, his whole face softening in response. Judging by the relief on his face, Sakura had to wonder if he'd really thought her loving him had been an incomprehensible possibility, and it made her ache in sadness. He reached for her then, hand curling over her thigh to guide her over his lap as he crushed his mouth to hers. Sakura closed her eyes, breathing in the earthy aroma of his skin as his lips parted over hers. She thought he tasted almost as good as he smelled, and Sakura pushed up on her knees to mold her body more tightly to his as the kisses deepened.

Kakashi's hands slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, pressing into the small of her back as his teeth raked over the corner of her jaw. Sakura could feel the heat of his touch burning into her skin as the fire grew within her core. Kakashi lifted her shirt, fingertips trailing over her skin until the cloth was wrenched from her body. She watched him drinking in the sight of her toned figure, eyes dilating as his hands explored her torso, tracing over the curves of her breasts. She thought his touch was electric, and every spot he touched likely to burst into flame.

She needed to be closer. She wanted to see him as he was seeing her. She reached for the fabric of his shirt, dragging it over his head and away from his body so she could take in the sight of his perfect form. Her small, feminine hands pressed into the muscled planes of his broad chest, lightly, like a whisper of air, she began to trace the rigid contours of his abdomen. There were scars there; pale, pearl-like flesh that marked old battle wounds. Sakura remembered healing some of them, but now her focus was on something entirely different.

Kakashi's hands slowly, tantalizingly, slid the straps of her bra away from her shoulders. His lips tattooed the tender skin of her throat while he held her still; one hand expertly undoing the clasp of her bra. She felt the warmth of his chest press against her as his arm curled around her back and he managed to roll her to the ground beneath him.

"Everything about you is perfect, Sakura," Kakashi told her, bending to kiss the hollow at the base of her throat. She felt his tongue against her skin and closed her eyes, hips arching into his as his mouth continued to claim every inch of her chest. His callused hands roved over her breasts, eliciting a moan as his thumb stroked over her hardening nipple. She reached for him then, hands grasping the rounds of his shoulders to pull him closer to her still.

"I want you," she whispered against his mouth.

Sakura felt Kakashi smile against her lips, and felt his hot breath fanning over her face as he whispered back, "Patience, Sakura."

He was going to torture her by taking his time. Later, she'd recall how much she appreciated his attention to detail, but now she was bursting at the seams for him.

Sakura had no idea how much time was passing, and Kakashi seemed to be in no particular rush to remove the final layers of their clothing. Never had she been kissed and touched like this before, like she was wanted and adored. She didn't want to compare him to Sasuke, but he had been her only lover and she couldn't help the natural path of her thoughts. She realized there was no competition. Kakashi knew what he was doing, and he wanted her to feel cherished–to feel like she was the only thing that mattered.

At last, when Sakura thought she couldn't wait a moment more, Kakashi pressed his knee to her inner thigh, encouraging her to meet him halfway. She lifted herself as he slid inside; his taut muscles bunching beneath her hands as a low groan caught in the back of his throat. Kakashi tipped his forehead against hers, and kissed her as his hips slid tightly against hers.

Sakura couldn't feel a single part of herself that wasn't also apart of him. Every atom in her body tingled with pleasure as he rocked against her. Sakura met his thrusts, fingernails raking across the muscled planes of his back as she held on tightly. She could feel nothing that wasn't the heat of his skin, or breathe the air that wasn't from his lungs. She was lost to him, body and soul, and she never wanted to wake from this dream.

"Kakashi," she breathed his name as the fire built insurmountably inside her core. She opened her eyes to gaze into his, and saw the passion reflected in his expression. She couldn't hold on a moment longer and closed her eyes as a sharp cry escaped her throat. Kakashi stifled it with a heated kiss, lips crushing to hers as his own pleasure followed shortly after. Kakashi groaned, resting his sweaty brow against her collarbones as Sakura shivered in absolute sated bliss.

Kakashi stayed in her arms, his weight pleasantly settled against her as her fingers stroked a path through his tousled hair. She could feel his breath, warm against her skin as his arm draped across her waist.

Just as Sakura was about to drift off to sleep happily tangled in his embrace, she heard Kakashi whisper, "I love you, Sakura-chan. Always."