Chapter Twenty-One

The Reasons

Sakura looked into his face that was full of anguish and anger and began wringing her hands. She hadn't expected hs reaction to be quite that volitale.

"Don't look at me like that Kakashi." She said removing herself from his lap and began pacing back and forth in front of him.

"I asked you a question Sakura. I expect an answer." Sakura glanced at him dismayed. He was doing his whole I am the man thing and he wasn't going to back down. She didn't really want to explain herself. She was embarrassed at her reasoning.

"Um, I'm not ready yet." She tried not expecting him to accept that.

"Sakura, we hardly ever spend a night apart anyway. How can you not be ready?" The dangerous glint that he had entered her apartment with had returned. She didn't think a massage was going to work this time.

"Kakashi…I know we haven't talked about this before. Actually it's a subject I never mention because I'm different from you guys. It's kind of hard for me to bring up."

"You're babbling Sakura. Cut to the chase."

Yeah, she was right. He wasn't going to accept that. There was nothing left but to tell the truth.

"My parents are still very much alive Kakashi." Sakura took a deep breath. "I'd like for them to meet you before we take a step like that."

She looked at him expectantly waiting for him to reply.

Kakashi was stunned. He didn't know what he expected her to say but that was by far the last thing that would have crossed his mind. Yes, he had forgotten that Sakura had parents. Kakashi's parents had passed away some time ago. Naruto and Sasuke, well everyone knew their stories. No, Sakura never talked about her parents to them. Probably because she didn't want to cause any discomfort to her teammates by reminding them of what they didn't have. Even in their relationship she had never once mentioned them before.

His mind drifted to her request. Meeting parents. He had never done that before. He wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea. It reminded him of how much older he was than her. Surely that's all her parents would think when they saw him. He didn't look old but somewhere along the line he knew his age would be mentioned. They surely wouldn't be comfortable with him dating their much younger daughter.

"Kakashi?" Sakura said hesitatingly.

"You want me to meet your parents." Sakura nodded her eyes full of hope. The room suddenly became warm.

"So, can I make arrangements?" She tilted her head to the side looking at him curiously.

"…" He was like a deer trapped in headlights. Sakura put her hands on her hips.

"Kakashi are you ignoring me?"

Kakashi shook his head snapping out of his daze. "Of course not. Go ahead. Make the arrangements. Let me know when and I'll, I'll be there." A smile graced her lips and Kakashi sighed knowing that he had pleased her but dreading the upcoming event. She sat back down and put her arms around his waist squeezing him in a tight hug.

"Great. We're going for dinner on Sunday."

Kakashi's mouth dropped open. He hadn't removed his mask and he was glad that she wouldn't see it. It was Friday.

"You planned this already?" He asked incredulously.

"Not really. I was already going to see them that day so I might as well bring you along. They've been bugging me about meeting my boyfriend anyway."

Kakashi nodded and headed for the door.

"Kakashi where are you going?"

To see if I can get a mission on Sunday. He thought.

"Back to my apartment. I need to grab a few things."

"Oh, okay then I'll see you later." He nodded and walked out he door.

"I need a mission." He placed his palms on her desk leaning on it looking her dead in the eye.

The Hokage looked at the man in front of her. An air of desperation hung around him. She held back a smile. Something ws up. She could smell it.

"We don't have any."

Full fledged panic gripped her visitor.

"What do you mean you don't have any missions?"

"I thought it was self-explanatory. There are none. They're all gone. There is nada. Zip. Zilch."

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Does this look like the face of a woman who would kid?" He had to admit it didn't. Kakashi ran his hands through his hair exasperated. "Why are you so desperate for a mission anyway?" She inquired.

"I'm not desperate." He denied moving away from her desk.

"Riight." She said leaning back in her chair. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Sakura would it?"

Kakashi quickly pulled himself together realizing that he was probably revealing a bit too much.

"No." The lie rolled off his tongue easily.

Tsunade looked at the lying bastard in front of her now determined to find out what he was running from. Sakura had not so much as come out and admitted that they were in a relationship but she had eluded to the fact. She actually hadn't seen her apprentice this happy…ever. So she truly couldn't be upset that they were together. It led her to conclude that they were good for each other. Sakura, actually kept the man punctual. Not by his own free will of course. She'd actually out think him. If he had to be somewhere at 6 she'd tell him to be there at 3. When he caught on to her pattern she'd change it up so that he'd remain on time. In turn her apprentice wasn't quite as violent as she used to be. A calm had come over her that was both suprising and pleasing. She was at peace.

"Oh, then I guess it would be okay to mention to Sakura that you came looking for a mission today, right?" A smug look on her face she stared at Kakashi expectantly.

Glaring at the meddlesome woman before him he asked, "What do you want?"

"The truth and perhaps a bit of sake."

"If I bring you two bottles of sake will you let this go?"

"How utterly tempting but no."

Tsunade waited quietly while he made up his mind.

"She wants me to meet her parents on Sunday."

Wow. Tsunade thought. Sakura was actually serious about this guy. Who knew that he was reformable? "So, what's the problem?"

"Is this really any of your business?"

"Not a bit, but don't forget I'm blackmailing you."

Kakashi shoved his hands into his pockets. "I've never met anyone's parents before."

Tsunade wished she could see his full face right then. His voice sounded sullen and pouty.

"You do realize that eventually, you'd have to meet them. It's not something that's avoidable in you intend to stay in a relationship with my apprentice." She deliberately added the apprentice part to make sure he knew that his ass was on the line if he treat her right. He didn't reply. "Go home Kakashi and don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll win them over with your winning personality." Tsunade began to snicker, then laugh outright. Kakashi turned and left her laughter ringing in his ears.

Iruka looked up from his paperwork at the sudden appearance of one of Kohona's elite ninjas. "This is a surprise. What's going on Kakashi?"

"I was hoping you could give me a bit of information." He was surprised that Kakashi would come to him for information. He immediately wondered if something was going on with Naruto.

"I'll help if I can."

"I'm meeting my lady friend's parents for the first time." Iruka stared at him for a moment.

"I'm sorry I think I misunderstood. Did you say you were meeting your lady friend's parents?" Kakashi glared at him and Iruka took this to mean he had heard him correctly. Iruka smiled. "You have a lady that's been around long enough for you to meet her parents?"

Kakashi considered flipping him off but didn't think that would get the willing cooperation that he needed. "Yes."

"What's the problem?"

"I've never done this before and I was hoping for some advice."

"That's simple. Just be yourself."

"Myself? I'm not sure that will go over well with Sakura's parents."

"Sakura? You're dating Sakura?!" Kakashi frowned at the surprised sound of Iruka's voice.

"Yes, I am."

"That changes everything. The last thing you want to do is be yourself. Take my advice. Get in and get out quickly. Avoid them as much as you can. In fact, you'd do better trying to get a mission and get out of town until this whole thing blows over."

He had tried that already but it didn't work.

"What's wrong with her parents?" Iruka just shook his head.

"There are no words to describe it. My condolences Kakashi."

The sorrowful look that he gave Kakashi would have been comical if he hadn't been looking at Kakashi in the first place. Dazed, Kakashi turned to head back to Sakura's apartment.

"Kakashi, wait!" Kakashi turned at Iruka's call.

"Do you know what happened to that dancer, Winter Snow? They say she no longer works at that place."

Something akin to jealously surfaced in Kakashi's chest.

"Yes, I do. She only dances for a private employer and he doesn't seem like the type to share."

Kakashi turned and left then worried more than he was before he came.

Sakura looked up from the book she was reading when her door suddenly opened and closed. In walked an empty handed Kakashi.

"I thought you were going to get something from your apartment." Sakura said looking at Kakashi suspiciously.

"Couldn't find it." He replied. "Let's go to bed." Sakura yawned. She was a bit tired she stood up and followed Kakashi into her bedroom. She watched as he pulled down the covers on her side allowing her to slip into the bed.

He removed his shoes and put them into her closet then took off his shirt and mask.

Sakura's eyes wandered over his chest and smiled. Ninjas were hot.

Kakashi pulled down the covers on his side on the bed and joined Sakura. He reached out and pulled her close to him spooning her.

After the two had settled down in each other's arms Kakashi asked the question that had been eating at him since he had left her apartment earlier. "What are your parents like Sakura?"

"Why?" She turned her head back and looked at him curiously.

"Just wanted to know what to expect."

"They're a lot like me I guess except that they're parents."

"That doesn't really tell me much Sakura." He said dryly.

"Don't worry about it. They'll love you." Sakura said and drifted of to sleep.

Kakashi looked down at the woman in his arms and wasn't quite as confident.