Sorry I took so long to update…I was Christmas shopping. I was actually considering killing off Sakura in the last chapter but I want to write at least 20 chapters before I finish with this story, can you believe people have actually written like 56 chapters!!!. Thanks for all the great reviews!!! Yeah!!! Free tickets and a triple date!!! You'll understand when you read my conversation with the characters below my story and read my review from Moriko Saki.

Chapter 14

A Secret Is Exposed

Slowly Sakura rose from the bed and felt the white sheets slip of her body. Where am I? she thought. This wasn't her room; it was to…white. Closing her eyes for a second, all the memories came flooding back. "Kakashi," she whispered softly, looking for the man who was at her side during the night.

"He isn't here," Sakura suddenly became aware of the Hokage sitting on the far side of the room, staring intently at the young woman. "He's on a B ranked mission that may turn into A rank. He will be back in about one or two weeks." Her tone was very serious and she looked tired, angry, and disappointed.

"Oh," Sakura said quietly, looking down at the white sheets, trying to refrain from eye contact. "When did he leave?"

Tsunade's eyebrows raised and she gave the jounin a curious look. "He left this morning after I came here and found him in your bed."

Sakura's cheeks turned bright red and she continued to stare at her sheets. "I can explain…"

"No need. Kakashi already told me the whole story about how you were so lonely and he felt like you needed company." She snorted, obviously not having believed the gray haired man.

"I'm sorry. It won't ever happen again."

"It had better not." Tsunade's eyes were suddenly filled with compassion and her voice became sad, "You don't know what you're getting yourself into." Before Sakura could say another word, the Hokage walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.

What did she mean? Sakura wondered

Well obviously, she thinks he's a big pervert, just like everyone else! Inner Sakura finally spoke up.

No, he's not! Kakashi is…Kakashi. He's different from everyone else.

Not to mention sexy!!!

Shut up! I do not think of him that way!

Yes you do!

No I don't!

Yes you do!

No I don't!!!!!!

Fine, fine. Go live in your imaginatory world where you don't think of him that way.

Sakura blocked out Inner Sakura, something she had mastered doing over the years. She lay back down on the bed and sighed. Great, not only had her mentor seen her in bed with her old sensei, Kakashi was going to be gone on a dangerous mission. This couldn't get any worse…but then again they could and they would.

Kakashi couldn't believe how happy he was. Sakura was alive and well! To bad that the Fifth walked in on him sharing her bed. It must have looked pretty bad, especially with his arms around her waist and hers around his neck with her head against his chest. He wanted to back to that morning and to just wake up all over again knowing that she was ok and that she was so close to him. He had never experienced that with anyone else, even the woman he had really slept with. Sakura was different from the rest. She was more fragile looking, but a hell of a lot stronger. When guys saw her in clubs they usually thought of her as defenseless, but under Tsunade's training, she could kick all their sorry little asses. Kakashi smiled at the thought of some idiot trying to take advantage of her.

He sighed sadly. Her he was, protecting some rich man from thieves who wanted to steal him stupid scroll that contained valuable information. The thieves were rather weak compared to the copy nin, but they were sneaky and persistent. This guy had paid for the best, and they didn't come any better that Kakashi. Why had he agreed to take this mission, oh yea because if he didn't the Hokage would kick his ass, and besides, the village needed the money.

"So you're going to guard me? Couldn't your village do any better than a man with only one eye, or are you seriously the best they have?" The stupid man was pissing off Kakashi a lot, but he remained calm.

"First of all, yes I am the one to protect you, "The man snorted and Kakashi continued, "Secondly, I have two eyes, it's just that I'd rather not expose my other one(the sharingan). Thirdly, Yes they sat that I am the best ninja in the village. Finally, if you keep this up I will leave and you can continue this journey on your own."

The man gasped, "But you have to help me! I paid for your protection!"

"Yes, but you didn't pay to insult me. If you have nothing more to say please remain quiet." The man gave Kakashi an angry look, but kept his mouth shut as they continued down a dirt path that lead into a thick forest.

"SAKURA-CHAN!!!" A blur of yellow and orange came hurling at Sakura quickly. Before she could utter a word she felt, warm hands wrap around her chest so tightly that she could barely breathe.

"Naruto, you're cutting off my oxygen!" Immediately the boy stood up and smiled at her brightly.

"We were so worried! You have to promise to never scare us again! Hinata was so scared! If you ever do that again I'm going to…" He paused, thinking of what to say when Hinata, Lee, and Chouji walked into the small room.

"It is the power of youth that saved you Sakura!" Lee said enthusiastically.

"How are you feeling?" Hinata asked, worriedly.

"Is there any food here?" you-know-who said.

"It's good to see that you're alright." Tenten smiled.

Sakura smiled, not caring that a few seconds before she was being suffocated by the hyperactive, knuckle-headed ninja of the village. She was so happy to see all her friends…well most of them, around her. "I'm doing great, and there's a vending machine down the hall." Chouji left immediately in search of more snacks. "So what's up with you guys?" she said, trying not to look to depressed, knowing that Ino still hated her.

"Me and Hinata are going out!" Naruto said loudly, causing the shy girl to blush a dark shade of red. Sakura smiled. It's about time, she thought.

"So are Tenten and I." Lee's confession was a little bit of a shock. She always thought that Tenten and Neji would end up together, but, nevertheless, she was happy for her friends.

"Congratulations! When did this happen?"

Naruto's bright eyes became clouded as he mumbled softly, "The night Sasuke died."

Sakura felt tears fill her eyes as the forgotten memories began to resurface. She tried to push them away, but it was so hard. She couldn't hold them back; the tears began to spill down her cheeks. Naruto was at her side in an instant. "It's going to be alright Sakura. We all miss him, but just remember the good times we had together. I understand how hard it is to lose the one you love. It will be alright Sakura, you just have to be strong."

Sakura couldn't control herself any longer, "I DON'T LOVE HIM!" Tears began to fall more freely from her eyes and she began to let out great sobs. She had forgiven Sasuke after he had appeared to her when she was in the coma, but a tiny bit of her still wanted to forget he ever existed. To her, the only person she wanted to think about was Kakashi. Kakashi, I need you. Where are you Kakashi?

Naruto took a step back, unsure of what to do. He looked at Hinata, confused. She gave him a small smile and tried to comfort Sakura herself. "We know you miss him Sakura, it's ok to love him even after he's gone."

Sakura cut her off, "How could I love him after what he did to me?"

Naruto's eyes turned cold and he returned to Sakura's side and placed his hand on her arm firmly. "What did he do to you?" She continued to sob hysterically. "Sakura, answer me." His voice was soft, but there was a hint of anger that made her realize that he wasn't going to listen to her sorry excuses. Everyone else stared at her intently, waiting to hear her reply.

She took a deep breath. She tried to keep her voice steady, but it was hard. "He…he…" She broke into another fit of tears.

"Sakura, it will be ok. Just tell us." Lee turned towards the entrance and locked the door, guaranteeing them privacy. "Sakura, please. We need to know." Naruto's grip tightened and he stared into her eyes.

"He tried to rape me!!!" She threw herself at the blond man and buried her face into his chest. Silence filled the room as everyone stared at her in disbelief.

"When did this happen?" Naruto wasn't going to let her get away so easily.

"The…the…night…he…d…died." She said in between sobs.

"He wasn't killed in a bar, was he Sakura?" Lee spoke up softly.

Sakura slowly raised her head from Naruto's, now damp, shirt and spoke softly. "No. Kakashi killed him."

Hinata let out a gasp and Naruto lowered his head. Tenten was immediately hugged by Lee, who pulled her into his arms.

"Damn it!" Naruto let go of Sakura's hand and started to pace around the room. If only I had followed you two!" Everyone else seemed to be thinking along the same lines about how they might have been able to stop Sasuke and his death.

"It's no one's fault. If it wasn't that night, it may have been the next. You know that you couldn't have stopped him. It was my fault for running away instead of going straight to you guys."

"It's going to be alright," said Hinata, as she hugged Sakura tightly.

"By the way, where is Kakashi?" said Tenten, trying to change the subject.

"He's away on a mission. He'll be back in one or two weeks." Tears still flowed down Sakura's face, although there were less, feeling relieved to have gotten all that off her chest.

There was suddenly a loud knock on the door, making everyone jump. Lee unlocked the door and opened it slowly, only to find Chouji there. He looked around and saw everyone looking glum while Sakura had tears falling down her face. "What did I miss?" he asked, wondering how the room could have gotten so depressing in the short time that he was gone.

"Nothing much," Naruto said sighing as he lied. "Nothing much."

Me: (Happy as can be) Well thanks to Moriko Saki, I'm on a triple date with her and Shikamaru, her sister (Vicky) and Gaara, and Kakashi and me!

Moriko Saki: (Smiling) I won six tickets on the radio to the Cascada concert featuring special performances by Within Temptation and The Fray!

Kakashi: (Eating a hotdog) I always thought those contests were fixed.

Me: Same here.

Vicky: (Grinning) Yea, my sister is always having good things happen to her.

Me: (Jealous) Really? I seem to always have bad luck. I keep falling down stairs and tripping a lot. I actually fell on my ass trying to tackle a guy during soccer, and the field was muddy too! (Everyone laughs)

Kakashi: (Choking on hotdog) Really!?

Me: (Frowns) Yea.

Kakashi: (Smiling under his mask) Well one good thing happened. You got three dates with me!

Me: (Pretends to be confused) How is that good? (Mad) I never got to see your face!

Shikamaru: (Comfortable in his seat) Can you get me a hot dog Gaara?

Gaara: Why can't you get it yourself? They guy is right over there!

Shikamaru: Yea, but that's seven steps away!

Moriko Saki: You're so lazy!

Shikamaru: (Grinning) Yea, but your still on this date with me, aren't you?

Vicky: (Laughing) He's got you there!

Gaara: (Staring at the stage) When is this concert supposed to start?

Me: (Grins) Oh, just the next chapter! Stay tuned!

Shikamaru: I still haven't gotten my hot dog you know.