Chapter 14: Apology

"Hana-san, you've been doing so great with this treatment you showed me last week!" Sakura praised the young nurse as she was reading over the patient's chart.

"That means so much coming from you, Sakura-san!"

Looking up, she gave her a big smile. Suddenly she watched the nurse's eyes go big as she was looking past her. Turning to see what was behind her that caught the nurses attention so suddenly, she found a man in a black cloak walking towards them.

It was Sasuke.

Turning back to the nurse quickly, she handed her the chart and dismissed her with a tight smile.

"Thank you, Hana-san. Please continue the amazing work you're doing, you can go now."

"Yes, thank you. Have, uh, have fun dealing with that." Hana spoke quietly to her, referencing to the man walking towards them.

Sakura gave her a softer smile in acknowledgement before she turned away to fully deal with the lone Uchiha. It has been one week since she found him in her office and then tried to force himself onto her and a few days since the party. She was not happy having to deal with him again so soon.

'What the hell is he doing here?'

"Sakura." he spoke as he finally reached her, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"

"What? So you can try to kiss me again?" she snapped at him.

Narrowing his eyes and furrowing his brows, he replied.

"Sakura, please. I came here to talk and… to apologize."

'What? Apologize?'

She stood there watching him with careful eyes, still not sure if she could trust being alone with him or not. Her memory of the night of the party was vague and filled with many blanks and she silently cursed Ino for getting her so drunk when the blonde knew she was an extreme light weight. But, she did remember bits and pieces. One was she remembered barely when her and Kakashi got ready to leave that Sasuke had attempted to bring her home by himself. She was thankful that Kakashi intervened then, but it took her drunken verbal insult towards Sasuke to get him to back away.

'Can't he take a hint?'

Huffing a small breath of air out in a slight pout and deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt, she turned around and began walking towards her office.

"Okay, then let's go to my office."

A few minutes later, walking in she motioned for Sasuke to take a seat. He obliged and took a seat in one of the two chairs in front of her desk. She took the other seat a moment later and patiently waited for him to give this so called apology to her.

"I'm sorry." he sulked out.

'No shit, sherlock.' she silently groaned at the half assed apology.

"That's it? You're just sorry?"

He shifted ever so slightly at her harsh reply and looked away from her. He was uncomfortable she realized. She could easily count on one hand the amount of times the Uchiha had truly apologized and it looked like she wasn't about to ge a proper one now.

"I'm sorry for trying to kiss you the way I did. It wasn't respectable. And for the way I acted afterwards."

'Okay, that's better.' she thought as she ticked off another successful apology onto his list.

"Thank you, Sasuke. I suppose accept your apology as long as you never attempt that again."

Looking back to her, he gave her a curt nod and a hard look.

"I do have a couple questions before I leave."

Raising her eyebrows at him, she looked back curiously.

"And what's that?"

"I understand that you don't have feelings for me anymore, but why won't you tell me who you're seeing? You spoke about him at Naruto's and it seems like no one knew you were seeing someone."

'Not this again… Ugh.'

Shifting her weight in the chair, she took a deep breath and sighed.

"Because him and I want to keep things quiet right now while we figure some stuff out in both of our lives. It's complicated, okay?"

She watched as his gaze on her became more intense, trying pick out clues from her words.

"It's someone I know, isn't it?"

Sakura felt herself tense up slightly at his statement.

"Sasuke, please just drop it."

"Why? I just don't understand why you can't tell me, or anyone for that matter, who you're seeing. It's like you're seeing someone you shouldn't be with." he voice beginning to show signs of irritation as he narrowed his eyes at her.

Balling up her fists in her lap, she was growing frustrated. Frustrated with Sasuke and frustrated with fact that she can't just simply tell the truth. They were so close to finally announcing it! Why is this suddenly becoming so hard to handle!?

"How I decide to live my life is my choice. Who I see is my choice. So it is no one's concern who I see and how we decide to conduct our relationship." she explained in an even tone, proud of herself for not losing her temper.

Sasuke sat back in his chair and remained silent for a moment. She prayed that he would just leave. Leave her alone and stop trying to get her to bend on his whim.

"When you were telling Ino about this man, you kept looking and smiling at Kakashi. Why?"

'Sakura, for the love of God, please don't mess this up.' silently coaching herself, 'Don't give any indication that it's Kakashi…'

"What are you talking about? How I was looking at him?"

Her former love took a deep breath and you could visibly see him get irritated with her now.

"Sakura, I'm not stupid. You both were looking at each other like sometime is going on between you two. Is it him? Are you seeing Kakashi?"

She was shocked, she felt her jaw drop at the audacity of his questioning. The way he spoke Kakashi's name made her furious. He treated it like saying it was the worst thing he could ever say.

She was stuck now though. She needed to deny the allegations, but she didn't want to say she wasn't with him. Would she have too? She felt awful about this whole thing. She no longer wanted to be there. She wanted to poof away into hiding.

She wanted Kakashi in this moment. His conflict resolution skills were to be admired and he could probably get them out of this mess easily. That's what made him such a great leader. He always knew how to get what he wanted and it was extremely beneficial for the village.

"Why do you think I'm seeing Kakashi-sama of all people!? He's the Hokage for crying out loud! And you should respect him as such! He's not our sensei anymore and you should use the proper formalities!" she came up with the best deflection she could in that moment, even adding back the honorific he hated to make it more believable.

Sasuke's stare hardened to a slightly threatening level and she felt like he was reading her mind.

"Because after you told Ino about this man, he told me to back off. Told me to stop meddling in where I'm not welcomed. Why would he say something like that, Sakura? It seems like he was jealous. Jealous of me pursuing you? And, you of all people should know I don't use formalities."

Sakura instantly regretted making the Rokudaime go to the party. But at the same time she didn't. She shouldn't have to hide everything with Kakashi. It was a casual party, for pete's sake! Plus, she thought, if Kakashi hadn't been there then it would have definitely been Sasuke to try and bring her home. He would've tried something again, she knew that much. She was suddenly thankful for Kakashi and how he warned the Uchiha.

"Jealous!? He told you to back off because he knew what you had done! Making a pass at me! He saw how upset I was at our meeting we had the same day and asked what was wrong and I told him! He was protecting and looking out for me because you seem to be unable to take no for an answer." she bit back with such force that even she was surprised by her ruthlessness.

Sasuke stood at this and left without another word.

Sakura didn't move for a long time after that. She was trying desperately to not let herself cry or let any of what he said get to her.

'I need to tell Kakashi… I'll wait until we're home. I can't risk this anymore. We're so, so close!'

A couple of hours later, Sasuke made his way towards Hokage Tower. He was going to notify Kakashi that he has decided to leave the village again and would depart this Friday.

He had come home in hopes of getting into a relationship with Sakura and starting a life and family together, but with that failing he felt no need to remain in the village any longer and would return to his duties outside of it. Especially after this last interaction he shared with her.

Walking up the steps to the Hokage's office, he mentally prepared for the conversation with his former sensei. Arriving to the office door, he rose his hand to get ready to knock on the door but suddenly heard a familiar voice speak from inside.

It was Sakura's.

Looking around quickly, he noted that there was no one in the immediate area. Refocusing on listening in on the conversation, he began eavesdropping. Straining his ears to hear the muffled conversation taking place inside. He hoped he could maybe get answers this way.

"What did you have in mind for dinner tonight?" he heard Kakashi ask.

'Dinner?'

"I was going to make pork cutlet bowls. Does that sound good or do you want me to make something else?" he heard her reply.

"No, that's perfect. We haven't had that in a while, so that sounds delicious."

Sasuke heard Sakura laugh lightly at the reply.

'What is going on? Why is she making dinners for him? We?'

His mind flashed back to the bento he saw on Kakashi's desk last week. He felt his stomach flip as the dots slowly began to connect.

"Admit it, you'll never turn down any of my cooking, dear."

'Dear!? Did she just call him dear!? Why is she calling him such things?'

"Mahh, Sakura. Don't call me out like that, of course I love all your cooking."

"And I love cooking for you. It's my favorite part of the day." she revealed.

'What the hell is going on? Why does this sound so casual? So intimate? Was I right?' he frantically through while gritting his teeth.

Standing there in a stunned and angry silence as he continued listening in on the conversation. Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing right now. Confusion and anger was washing over him in tidal waves as he tried processing what he's heard so far from his two former teammates.

"That's your favorite part of day? Feeding me? Not when I come home from work? Not even when I kiss you? Ooor the amazing love we make nearly every night? It's feeding me?"

'What the actual fuck!? Making love!? Wait. They are together! This is who Sakura is secretly dating! I was right! I cannot believe this… Please, gods, this can't be true…'

He heard hear her laugh again. Utter disbelief instantly replacing the confusion and anger inside him.

"Of course I love all of those things, but feeding you is my most favorite part. Sorry to disappoint you, dear, but seeing you come home and get all giddy when you see me in the kitchen cooking is the best sight. You literally become a child. It's adorable to watch."

'Oh my God, they're together. Sakura and Kakashi are in a relationship! She just confirmed it! They've even been sleeping together… What is she thinking!? He's fourteen years older than her! He was our sensei for fucks sake! How long has this been going on!? This is completely wrong and utterly disgusting! I always knew he was a pervert… but to this extent!?'

He heard Kakashi laugh from the other side of the door as he stepped away for a moment and began pacing the hallway. Looking around he made sure the coast was still clear. Desperately needing to process and sort out this unbelievable news he overheard. Sasuke was speechless.

"I can't believe this." he whispered to himself frantically, "Sakura and Kakashi!? What the hell is going on!? Why him? What does he have that I don't!?"

Turning and looking back at the door he was just eavesdropping against, Sasuke felt intense jealousy and rage rain over him.

'This is wrong. She's only nineteen and Kakashi is thirty fucking three! How long have they been doing this? She said she lost feelings for me right after the war. She was still sixteen when it ended. Did it start then? That's disgusting if so. He has to be taking advantage of her!'

Feeling the anger in him reach a higher level, he walked to the door and without knocking entered the office. Upon walking in, he found Sakura sitting in a chair and Kakashi not far away, leaning back against the front of his desk. Both looking up quickly to see who just barged in unannounced.

"Sasuke?" was the first thing he heard. It was Sakura who said it.

Noticing right away how her eyes widened and a stunned expression crossed her face at his sudden appearance then quickly turning to Kakashi for an explanation. She was probably afraid that he caught them, he thought.

Which he did, but he chose to keep that to himself for the time being. He needed to make sure he was absolutely right, before calling them out.

"Sasuke," Kakashi finally spoke up, standing up from leaning on the desk, he scolded him, "It's extremely rude to just walk in without knocking or announcing yourself. I'm in the middle of a meeting right now with Sakura."

"A meeting, huh?" he sneered.

He couldn't help but make the comment, still in disbelief with the information he had just gathered. It was all made sense to him now.

It was disgusting. This was disgusting. What they were doing is disgusting, he thought.

This explained why Sakura wasn't home that entire weekend when he went to her apartment each day. She was probably with Kakashi, having sex no doubt. This explained her not saying who she's dating. This clearly explained the excuses. She knew what they were doing was wrong.

'What a couple deviants. This is terrible. I can't believe she let him ruin her. She should be ashamed of herself.'

Then Kakashi lied right to his face about not knowing who it was as well! Even he knows what they're doing is shameful! Sasuke was furious that he had been tricked like this.

"Yes. A meeting." Kakashi spoke, his voice getting serious, "We're doing our weekly update on the clinic expansion I told you about last week."

Sasuke followed where Kakashi had rose his gloved hand, pointing at something Sakura was holding. He found he was directing attention to the file sitting open on her lap. Glancing up to look at Sakura, she was giving him a blank look, not disclosing anything that was on her mind.

'What a shame. She's just some piece of meat to him. She's stupid for picking him over me.'

Looking back up to Kakashi, he found him giving him a stern warning look. Telling him to back off and to cut the crap again. It was the same look he received the night of the party. Changing his plans in that moment, he tilted his chin up slightly at the Hokage.

"I came to let you know I will have an answer soon on whether or not I stay in the village."

Sakura sat there looking back and forth between them frantically, completely confused with the current conversation.

"That's what you needed to tell me? That you'll have an answer soon?"

"Yes."

Kakashi's hard stare somehow managing to get more intense, he didn't fully seem to believe that what Sasuke said was the full truth. Sasuke remained rooted in his spot, unwilling to let him get the upper hand.

"Seems a bit underwhelming for the way you entered." the silver haired Hokage pointed out.

"Sorry, I forgot to knock. Didn't know you would be… busy." he glanced at Sakura quickly at his last statement before looking back to him.

Sakura was beginning to shift uncomfortably in her seat as the tension in the room grew thicker and thicker by the second.

'I can't believe she's with him. How stupid can she be? She's wasting her time on him when she can in an actual meaningful and loving relationship with me!'

"Anything else?" Kakashi spoke, irritation now entering his tone.

"No." he bit out, "I'll leave you two finish your… meeting."

Turning on his heel, Sasuke left as quickly as he came. Not bothering to close the door behind him, he exited the building in a hurry.

'This isn't right. Sakura's making a terrible choice. She's going to ruin her life over some man who is just using her for his pleasure. Kakashi is a pervert. I need to make her see her mistakes. But how? Where do I start!?'

Kakashi continued standing here watching the door for a moment after Sasuke stormed out of his office.

'What the hell was that all for? Was he pissed to see Sakura here after apologizing earlier?'

"I think he knows." Sakura whispered quietly, breaking their silence.

He whipped and looked over to where she was sitting.

"How?"

"Go close the door first." she continued speaking quietly, her eyes staying fixed on the file on her lap.

He immediately moved and closed the door to his office. This time turning over the lock to secure that they would not be barged in on again. Walking back to his spot, he pulled down his mask and waited for her to begin speaking.

"I didn't tell you everything from earlier, only the apology… I was waiting for us to get home later to discuss it, but I guess that's not going to happen." finally looking up to him, her voice small as she continued speaking, "He asked me about who I was seeing again and suddenly brought you up. Said that you told him to back off at the party and that's what made him think it was you. I told him he was wrong obviously, as much as I hated saying it… That you were just protecting me because I told you about when he tried to kiss me. He stormed out after that."

Kakashi sat there in silence once she was done speaking. He was sorting through hundreds of possible scenarios and outcomes from the events of the last few days.

He was frustrated. Why couldn't Sasuke just drop it? Why did he have to feel the need to meddle? Couldn't he take no for an answer? He doesn't care about Sakura at this point it seems. He can't seem to face the fact that he isn't getting handed a girlfriend to wife on a silver platter. He knew that without Sakura, his chances of reviving the Uchiha name were now much smaller. Not many women want to be with a former criminal and he knew that.

They were so close too. They were a week away from announcing their relationship. Why did Sasuke have to come home now? He had been gone just shy of two years. If he would've waited just two more weeks to come home, just two weeks, none of this would be going on right now.

"We're going to have to be very careful over the next week then. He knows, there's no doubt. We just have to keep him at bay until then." he finally spoke up, giving a frustrated sigh.

"What do you suggest we do?"

'What else can we do? We've been extremely careful from the beginning… It's not like we're making out in public… Wait. Public. Ah, damn it.'

Raising his hand and scratching at the stubble coming in on his chin, he dreaded saying what he knew needed to be done.

"We're going to have to not see each other for the next week. I can't stay at your place anymore. It's not safe. Not right now at least. We're going to have to essentially not be together for the time being."

Kakashi watched as her face twisted in a pained expression. He knew his words had cut her deep. They cut him too. They have barely spent a moment apart since they got together and he was practically telling her that they weren't allowed to interact for the time being.

"What does that mean?" she whispered, her voice giving away that tears would soon come.

"It means that tonight after work, I'll be going back to my place to stay until this blows over. We can't be seen together right now. No more random visits or lunches. No more secret kisses and whispers. I don't even think we should have our weekly meeting on Thursday… We have to essentially cut off all contact from each other…"

The tears were flowing freely at this point, a small sob escaping her as she quickly tried wiping her tears away. Kakashi felt awful. He didn't want to hurt her, but it had to be done. He couldn't risk this getting out. Not yet. He hated this. He hated formalities. He hated being the Hokage now. This was his fault that this was even happening to begin with. If he wasn't the Hokage, they could be happy instead of hurting like this. Hurting her.

He was tired of the secrets. The sneaking around. The hiding. He didn't want to hide. He did that for years and it brought nothing but misery. Sakura didn't deserve any of this, he thought. He didn't want to drag her into a life of misery.

He had a plan and he hated when plans became uprooted like this. Sasuke was too unpredictable and Kakashi would rather play it too safe for a week instead of the drama that would ensue if Sasuke decided to expose them.

"I understand… I hate it, but I understand. I'm going to be so lonely this week without you, but it has to be done." she said, furiously trying to dry her eyes with her lab coat sleeve now, "I cannot wait for this to be done and over with."

'Lonely…'

Kakashi let his head fall back and he stared at the ceiling for a long while. She was right. It was going to a long and lonely week. They've stayed the night together every night since Sakura had her dinner with Hinata. He was telling the truth when he told her he couldn't sleep without her by his side anymore. It was going to be rough, but it was necessary.

Pushing himself off the desk edge again, he took the couple steps to where she was sitting and kneeled in front of her. Taking the cool knotted hands in her lap into his own, he brought them up and placed a soft kiss on them. Looking up, he met the teary eyes of the woman he loved more than anything.

"I need you to know that I love you so much, Sakura. I'm sorry that I have to put you through this just because I'm the Hokage. You don't deserve this. I hate this hiding too. If I could have it my way, we would've been public the night we got together."

"I love you too. It's okay, don't go blaming yourself for everything. We're a team, okay? We do this together."

A small smile formed at her words. She was trying desperately to put on a brave front for them. Bringing their hands back up, he pressed another kiss onto her knuckles.

"Yes, we're a team."

Standing back up, Sakura got up as well and wrapped her arms around his midsection tightly and buried her face into his chest.

"When can I see you again?" her voice muffled by the fabric of his flak jacket.

Mimicking her motions, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her close. Kissing the side of her head and taking in her intoxicating scent, he considered when it would be safe to see her again.

"I can come home Sunday night."

"How about Sunday evening? I wanna make you dinner." she countered with, squeezing him tighter.

Kakashi just smiled at her reasoning.

"Okay. Sunday evening is good. We can talk about the meeting then and how things will go."

They stood like that, holding each other close, for a long time. Neither wanting to pull away because that would mean that they couldn't see or touch each other for the next six days. Sakura was eventually the one to pull back, but she didn't let go. Moving his hands from their hold around her shoulders, he held her face close and gave her a kiss.

He put all he could into that kiss. All his love. All his dedication. All his strength. He needed her to know just how much she meant to him. That this would all be worth it in the end. That they would be stronger once this was done. Happier.

"I should get going… The hospital needs me…" her voice quiet as a mouse, "I don't want to go though…"

It took everything in him to let go of her and take a step back, putting some distance between them.

"I know, but it'll be over soon. Just one more week. One more week and I'll never have to leave you again."

She gave him a sad smile in reply and he felt his heart shatter. This was a lot harder than he anticipated. He never knew he would be in this position. Being with someone came with a lot of baggage. It just wasn't about him anymore, he had a significant other to consider when making all his future choices.

"I can't wait." she said softly.

Stepping forward, he gave her another deep kiss before finally stepping back one last time. Watching her slowly make her way to the door was like taking a kunai to the back with each step she took. Opening the door to leave, she glanced over her shoulder and whispered quietly.

"I love you."

"I love you too." he whispered back.

And with that, she was gone. The moment the door clicked shut he was left in a silence that screamed so loud he wanted to cover his ears to block out the imaginary sound. Pulling his mask back up into place, he silently made his way back to his chair and sorted out everything him and Sakura had just talked about.

He hated that they had to go through this. Sakura didn't deserve any of this bullshit. She deserves the world. She did, however, make a great point.

They were a team. They would get through this together.

A/N: My heart literally shatters every time I read over this chapter!

What do you guys think of Sasuke reaction? Do you think he'll be an idiot and do something dumb or do you think he'll grow a pair and leave them be? Also, my poor Kakashi having to break Sakura's heart by telling her he wouldn't be coming home, ahhhh. I felt that raw emotion he was feeling as he spoke to her.

As always, please leave a review with your comments and thoughts! I love, love, love hearing from you guys! You guys are my biggest encouragement to continue!

Don't forget to hit follow too because now the ball is really going to start rolling now because we are about half-ish way through the story if my estimations are correct!

HUGE shout out to my beta and friend, Taytay95, for being awesome and reviewing and editing this chapter after I sprung a midweek update on her! She's seriously the backbone of this story when it comes to giving ideas, pointing out things, and adding bits and pieces to make this story as amazing as possible! Without her, I feel this story wouldn't be as great as it is! Please go check out her own multi-chapter KakaSaku story she's writing!