Chapter 21: Mr. and Mrs. Haruno

"Okay, please try and have a good day at work, dear." Sakura said, as they stood by the door together.

"I'll try. I have a feeling that I'll have some surprise meetings pop up since the daimyo arrives today." Kakashi grumbled.

Holding the bento she prepared for him while he shrugged on his Hokage issued flak jacket, she gave him a knowing look as she quirked up a pink brow.

"You promise to not tell him, or anyone for that matter, to shove it?"

Turning to face her, she watched his failed attempt at a pout.

"I guess…"

Handing him the patterned bento, she stood up on her tiptoes and gave him a warm kiss.

"Thank you." she spoke quietly as she pulled back, "Please stay on your best behavior. No more broken hands, okay?"

"Yes, mom." he teased.

Sakura just shot him an unimpressed look at his ill-timed joke. He quickly realized his mistake too as he leaned back down and gave her another quick peck.

"And you try and have a good day too, okay?" he spoke again while pulling up his mask for the day.

Sakura felt her shoulders slump and a huff escape her.

She was nervous. Deciding when they woke up today that she was going to take a personal day from the hospital so she could go speak to her parents. They didn't deserve to be left in the dark about all this and the sooner she could see them the better.

Judging by the fact that her mother hasn't come kicking down her door yet means that they probably haven't heard the rumors. If she was right with her theory, it would make telling them about Kakashi that much easier. She felt a little guilty for keeping them in the dark like this and hoped she didn't tarnish their trust in her. She might be grown, but she still deeply respected her parents.

"I'll try my best. Let's hope they take it well."

Reaching up, he caressed her cheek with a gloved hand. He stroked it with his thumb and have her a warm look with his dark gray eyes. They almost looked smokey in this morning light she thought.

"I think they will. They love you and only want the best for you. It's only natural that they'll worry about this."

'He always knows exactly what to say to reassure me. I always think of the worst case scenario when it comes to us…'

Reaching up with her own hand and grasping his, Sakura leaned into his hold for a moment. The action both silently reminding them of their first date when she did the same thing right before they kissed for the first time. Well, almost kissed, since Naruto interrupted them.

Turning her head to the left, she placed a soft kiss over the gloved palm before turning back to him with a warm smile.

"You're right. How about I come see you once I'm done there? Doesn't have to be lunch or anything because, like you said, you'll probably be tied up most of the day."

Releasing his hand, she let him drop it back to his side.

"That sounds perfect. I'll need to see you probably so I don't go crazy. Maybe you can knock some sense into them." he joked, giving her a cheeky wink.

Shooting a sassy look back, she ushered him out of the apartment. Scolding him for trying to run late. Once he was gone, Sakura quickly finished cleaning up their breakfast and got ready to leave. Making her way out of the apartment, she quickly walked in the direction of her parents house.

Silently preparing herself for a repeat of yesterday with the staring, hushed whispers, and possibly insults thrown, she put on her bravest face and walked through the streets with an air of confidence.

After nearly ten minutes of walking, she was surprised to hear nothing negative as she passed by the small groups of people and couples walking along. Many were glancing and staring at her, but she never once heard a vulgar thing come from anyone.

"...told off that guy last…"

"She's helping him…"

"Did you hear that…"

"He's a lucky guy to…"

"...sort of odd still…"

"...nabbed a good one."

She was hearing more compliments than anything else.

'Did word spread that quickly after I confronted that guy last night? I spoke the truth and maybe now people are realizing that rumors are pointless? God, I hope so…'

Arriving after a few more minutes to her parents, she walked up the short path and rose her hand to knock on the door but never got too. The door swung open and she was yanked inside the house before she realized what was happening.

"Sakura Haruno! You have a lot of explaining to do!" her mother's loud voice pounded into her eardrums.

Placing her hands over her ears and rubbing them to soothe the ringing they emitted.

"Good morning to you too, mom…"

"You need to explain yourself right now! Why am I hearing rumors that you're messing around with the Hokage!? They say it's been going on since right after the war! You were a child! Tell me it's not true!"

'Damn it… They heard the rumors.'

"Mom, please calm down for a moment! Let me explain myself and the situation!" she pleaded.

"Is it true!?" Mebuki yelled again.

Taking off her sandals, she looked back up to her mother.

"Yes and no. That's why I need you to calm down so I can explain this! That's why I came here. Where's dad?"

Mebuki let out a frustrated huff before turning and walking back into the kitchen. Sakura followed behind and upon entering found her dad in his usual spot at the table. Looking up from his newspaper he eyed her carefully.

"Good morning, Sakura." Kizashi spoke in a low voice, which isn't usually like him to speak so quietly. This only made her more nervous.

"Morning, dad…" she spoke quietly back as she took a seat across from him.

Mebuki took a seat in between them and placed a hot cup of tea in front of her.

"Okay, out with it." she pressed.

Wrapping her hands around the hot mug of tea, Sakura took a deep breath.

"It is true that Kakashi and I are together…" she started speaking but trailed off as she stared down at the cup.

Daring a peek up to gauge their reactions, she glanced first to her dad and found he had put down the paper and was studying her intently. Moving over to her mom, she found her staring down at her own cup of tea and deep concern written over her features. It broke her heart.

"...but the rumors you've heard are not true. They were spread out of jealousy." she finished with, not removing her eyes from her mother.

Mebuki looked back up to her once she was quiet.

"Jealousy?" she questioned.

Pausing before speaking, Sakura took a welcomed sip of her tea to allow her to sort out her thoughts and what she would say to them. Setting down the cup and meeting both of her parents gazes she continued.

"Yes. Sasuke started the rumor after I turned him down a couple weeks ago. I told him I was seeing someone and he wasn't happy to hear that."

"So how long have you been seeing him? Kakashi?" Kizashi suddenly spoke up, his voice still low and serious.

It sent a silent shiver up her spine hearing her dad's voice like that. He was usually so cheery in his tone and full of one liners that this personality shift was throwing her off her game.

"Only since April. April 21st if you want to be exact. That was our first date."

"Who was the first one to make a move?" Mebuki asked quickly.

"It was me. I was the first to openly show interest." she wasted no time in replying, but began blushing lightly.

Both her parents sat quietly for a few minutes mulling over the information she was giving them. She decided she was going to be completely truthful in her answers with them. There was no point in hiding anything from them.

"Why did you keep it a secret?" Mebuki asked, her voice soft but serious.

"We didn't want too, but given our, uh, unique situation and his position, we decided to keep it quiet until we were sure that this was what we both really wanted. We we're actually going to announce it on Monday but…" she shrugged as she let the sentence linger, all of them knowing what happened instead.

"Why him?" her dad asked, "Why Kakashi? He was you sensei, Sakura… He's so much older than you! And, he's only a few years younger than me! By what? Ten years or so I'm guessing!?"

Sakura took another deep breath, willing herself forcefully to not begin tearing up. She had to be confident and strong during this.

"We are constantly reminded about our large age gap, don't worry. And, yes, there is fourteen years between us. But, neither of us planned for it. It just… it just happened, alright?" she looked up and held her dads hard gaze with one of her own, "That's why we treated it the way we did! We knew our past, the age difference, and his position would come up, so we needed to be sure. And we're very sure now that this is something we both want."

"Do you love him?" her mother shot out, eyeing her daughter through narrow eyes.

Turning to look at her, she nodded her head.

"Yes, I do love him."

"Does he love you?" she furthered her questioning.

"Yes."

"How can you be sure?" it was Kizashi to speak now.

Sakura thought back to last night when her and Kakashi were laying in bed together. She recalled what he said to her when she was telling him how much she loved him.

"Promise to be mine, Sakura. Forever."

A small smile graced her lips at the recent memory. Looking back up to her parents as her smile grew into a grin, she decided she was going to explain how much he loved her.

"He has shown me more tenderness that any other man ever has before. He's different when it's just him and I. You guys know him as the Hokage. As one of the strongest shinobi to be alive right now. Everyone thinks he's this hard, stoic, and emotionless man, but he's not. When it's him and I at the end of the night, he's a completely different man. I get to see the real Kakashi, not shinobi Kakashi."

She paused for a moment to take another deep breath.

"He's soft, gentle, kind, and expresses all his thoughts and feelings to me. And he encourages me to do the same. That's how I know he truly loves me."

They sat in a comfortable silence while the weight of Sakura's words sank into all of them. She sat there nursing her tea while her parents were lost in their thoughts.

"I'm still not fully sure about this." Mebuki spoke after a few minutes.

"I never expected you guys to accept it right away anyways." she replied, meeting her mothers eyes.

"And you're being honest about the rumors? This has only recently started?" Kizashi asked.

"Yes, I'm being honest. That's why I came here this morning. I wanted you guys to know the real truth and not a fake rumor whose only goal is to slander and ruin Kakashi!"

"You said Sasuke started it?" her mother asked.

The smile on her face fell at the mention of the Uchiha.

"He did. He came home and told me he loved me and assumed that I still held feelings for him. When I told him that I wouldn't be with him and that I haven't had those feelings for years, he didn't take it very well. When he found out I was seeing someone, I guess it made him extremely jealous."

She watched as the fire returned to her mother's eyes. She let out a frustrated sigh.

"What a brat! Throwing a fit just because you told him no!" she gentle slammed her fist on the table, "Men are so infuriating!"

Sakura stifled the giggle that wanted to escape when she watched her father roll his eyes at his wife's last statement.

"Yeah… He definitely went overboard when he found out it was Kakashi. I still can't believe Sasuke made such horrendous accusations at him after all he's done for him…" Sakura spoke quietly, recalling the hell she lived yesterday due to Sasuke.

"I never really cared for the boy." Hizashi spoke, crossing his arms across his chest with a contemplative look, "Not because he's an Uchiha. After he defected, a crime may I remind you, you were still on about him like nothing changed. It made me uneasy. I didn't like the idea of you being with a man who committed such heinous acts. I know he's working to regain the village's trust, but I'm not sure still about him."

"Dad…"

"That's why I was happy to hear when you told us you weren't pursuing him anymore years ago." he continued speaking, interrupting her, "I knew you were smarter than that! You deserved better! My daughter only deserves the best of the best in this world!"

Sakura felt a small blush creep across her face at her dads doting speech.

"Thanks dad…"

Kizashi opened his eyes and met her eyes a comforting gaze.

"We love you so much, Sakura. We only want the best for you. We got scared this morning when we heard the rumors, but we're extremely thankful they're not true. If he truly makes you happy and feel loved, then we can't really oppose it, can we? It'll take us a little while to adjust to this, but you're a grown woman now and you can make your own choices. Right, dear?" he turned to her mother when he was done speaking, seeking her approval on what he just said.

"Your father's right. We only want what's best for you, Sakura. If you feel Kakashi is what's best for you right now, then you have our support."

Sakura never felt more thankful for her parents in this moment than ever before. They voiced their approval for the most part and it was definitely more than she was hoping for when she planned on telling them this morning. Kakashi was right, it went well. A wave of emotions overtook her in that moment and she felt the tears spring to her eyes and begin falling. Laughing lightly as she began wiping them away, she started singing praise to her parents.

"Thank you! I love you both so much. You're both so supportive of me in everything I decide to do in life. I'm so thankful!"

They both gave her warm smiles as she attempted to reign in her emotions.

"So, where is he?"

"Huh?" Sakura asked, sniffing slightly and giving her mother a curious look.

"Kakashi. Where is he right now?"

"Oh! He's at work now dealing with his side of this and receiving a formal apology from Sasuke."

She watched as her mother's eyes widened at her statement.

"Sasuke's apologizing?"

Sakura let out a small giggle as she recalled why he apologizing to begin with.

"Let's just say, when I found him yesterday, I was very clear that he had to or else."

Kizashi slapped his hand down on the table and laughed.

"That's my girl! Tell him how it is!"

"Dad!" Sakura scolded him lightly.

"So when are we going to meet him?" her mom asked.

She gave her a curious look, clearly confused by her mother's question.

"Meet him? You've meet Kakashi plenty of times before?"

Mebuki rolled her eyes and sighed at her, confusing her even more.

"I mean when are we going to meet him? Not your sensei or the Hokage, as your boyfriend."

Time stopped for a moment. Boyfriend. Sakura felt a wave of giddiness run through her. Her mother called him her boyfriend! It was silly to think about, Sakura always knew he was her boyfriend, but she rarely ever referred to him as it since they had kept anything quiet for so long. Hearing it now made her reach a newer and higher level of happiness.

Everything was working out better than she could have hoped for. Maybe they worried too much for nothing? Everything was going to be alright.

"Well… I think we can arrange that." she spoke with a smile.

Instead of walking to work like he usually did, Kakashi chose the fun way. Hopping from rooftop to rooftop until he entered into his office through the window. Shikamaru was already in his office dropping a pile of files on his desk as he entered.

"Morning." Kakashi mumbled as he hopped down into the office and moved over to his desk.

Setting the bento down off to the side, he took his seat with a sigh.

"You're unusually early for once." Shikamaru noted with an air of boredom.

"Mahh, well, I figured after the events of yesterday, I should probably come in early today."

Shikamaru just eyed him with a half raised brow before glancing at the betno.

"Sakura sent you in early, didn't she?"

"Am I really that predictable? Must be losing my touch…" he replied, rubbing the back of his head gingerly.

Suddenly a knock came from the door. Looking up to the clock over the door, he saw it was quarter to nine.

'Sasuke.'

"Enter." he called out stiffly, entering into work mode.

The door opened and revealed the man Kakashi knew was standing on the other side.

"Ah, Sasuke. What a pleasure seeing you this morning." he spoke as he watched the Uchiha step inside the rest of the way, his sarcasm clear as day, "Shikamaru, could you please give us a moment?"

He watched as Shikamaru dropped what he was doing and turn to leave without another word. He obviously did not want to be around to hear what they had to say to the other. Once the door clicked shut behind him, he turned his attention back to Sasuke.

"What brings you in today, Sasuke?"

"You know why I'm here." he bit out.

"You're right, I do. Figured I'd try and play nice though."

The raven haired man didn't say anything in response. Deciding to cut to the chase, Kakashi leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desk and laced his fingers together.

"You're right. Sakura told me about the talk you two had yesterday after she got home. She also told me that you were instructed to come apologize to me before she could start to forgive you." he began with, "So please, take a seat. I would like to talk to you more, man to man, about all this."

Sasuke paused for a moment before deciding to sit down. Not giving him a chance to say anything, Kakashi continued talking.

"Now when she told me about you coming here, I decided right away that I wanted to treat this encounter as more than an out for an apology for you. I know you're quite mad at me for being with her. I'm also no idiot and I know you think I am no good for her and that you would be a better option for her. Right?"

He didn't make a peep, only continued watching him intently. Letting out a small sigh, he knew this would probably happen.

"I'll take your silence as a yes."

Sasuke still made no move to speak or acknowledge that he understood what he was saying.

'This isn't going anywhere.'

"Sasuke, I'm gonna need you to be more active in the conversation for this to go smoothly. For both of us. Unlike you, I have to answer her at the end of the day. Just because we're together doesn't mean I'm free of her wrath." he lightly chuckled at his last statement.

If looks could kill, Kakashi would've been dead in that instant. Furrowing his brow, Sasuke took a deep breath.

"Yes, you're right. I don't think you're the right person for her."

'Okay, I can work with this.'

"Are you only saying this because she doesn't want to be with you? Or is this more targeted at me?"

Silence. He could feel the hate and discontent radiating off the man's body. He was extremely angry.

"Sasuke, I'm not going to sit here and lecture you or let you try and argue with me about this. We both know that would be pointless and get us nowhere. We're both grown men and we should act as such."

He watched as Sasuke glanced down to the floor for a moment, thinking. Glancing back up, he met the mismatched eyes.

"Do you really love her?"

The sudden question took him for surprise. He didn't expect the Uchiha to ask him something like that.

"Do I love Sakura? Yes. I do. With every fiber of my being." he spoke with pure honesty.

Kakashi knew his love for Sakura was one of the deepest emotions he's ever felt. He's never come across anyone else who has even stirred up those feelings to begin with. Not that he ever sought out love. It still surprised him everyday that he was with her and that he was capable of such deep romantic ties. He was even more surprised when he found it in a place he never imagined to look before.

Sakura has always been one of his precious people and he cared deeply for her even before they got together. But after they did end up a couple, that need to protect, care, and provide for her grew astronomically. He would always put her wants and needs before his anyday. Sakura had full control of her actions and choices and he would respect any decision she made for herself when it pertained them as a couple.

If she says stop, he'll stop. If she says go, he'll go. Kakashi never felt the need or urge to pressure her to do anything. He loved her for who she was, never wanting to change any aspect of her. That was a key point of their relationship. Respect. He respected her and vice versa. If any issues came up, they'd talk it out and do whatever it took to make it right.

Sure there were arguments, but instead of throwing insults or demeaning comments at each other, they would separate themselves for a few hours and reunite once both their moods cooled for a bit and talk it out. This tactic they used had a near one hundred percent success rate so far.

He still felt guilty for the shouting match they experienced yesterday and how he reacted. He regretted the outburst that caused him to destroy various items on his desk, like his favorite coffee mug. He would never forgive himself for scaring Sakura the way he did.

Sakura was his entire world now and he'd be damned if he didn't try and give her it all. Now that they were public, he was going to start doing it every chance that he got.

Sasuke seemed to cringe at what he said, obviously not liking the answer he already knew to begin with.

"I don't know what she sees in you." he spat out.

Now this made Kakashi laugh. Leaning back in his chair, he continued to chuckle warmly as he replied.

"Honestly, I completely agree with you on that! I have absolutely no clue what about me is appealing to her. I've never been the friendliest or most caring person. When I realized she had feelings, it really did mess with me at first to be honest. I thought I was going crazy or that she was playing some sick joke on me. There was no way that she could have those type of feelings." he began monologuing but didn't even care.

It was nice to finally talk openly about their relationship. It was a subject he actually found joy in. And wanted to talk about.

"What did I have to offer that could benefit her? Like you've pointed out, I'm an old man in my eyes. What did the young and, as Gai has described her "beautiful firecracker medic," that is Sakura Haruno see in me, grumpy old Kakashi? What made her go 'Yes, I'd like to be with this person!'? Because I still don't see it even after nearly two months. However, I'm thankful for it. She's managed to wiggle her way into me and make herself at home and I'm not going to take that for granted."

Finally finishing his unplanned mini-speech, Kakashi sat quiet to let Sasuke process what he said. After a moment, he cleared his throat to speak.

"Well, she needs to make better choices then."

He chose not to reply immediately.

'He's obviously not going to change his stance on this. There's no way he'll ever be able to accept it no matter how much her and I try to convince him…'

Leaning forward in his chair, he was beginning to feel restless. This encounter was gaining no headway and he was running into one brick wall after another. Irritation was beginning to ebb it's way into him.

Shooting the young man a hard stare, he spoke in a serious tone.

"Sakura is a grown woman, Sasuke. She is free to make whatever choices she sees fit in her life. I'm not forcing her to be in this relationship. If she wants to be with me it's because it's her choice. And if she decides to leave me, I'm not going to stop her. Why? Because it's her choice. Yes, I'd be devastated, but her happiness comes before anything else to me. So, I'm not going to sit here a let you speak so poorly of her. Not because we're together, but because Sakura has earned and proven that she deserves every ounce of respect from this world."

They sat in silence for exactly eight minutes. How that exact time was measured was because Kakashi watched the clock above his door the entire time while waiting for a response from Sasuke.

"You're right."

"Huh?" the comment snapping Kakashi out of his mindless trance.

"I said you're right. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for accusing you of hurting her. I was rash and didn't check my facts. I let my emotions get the better of me. I regret my actions and I hope you can at least to begin to forgive me." his voice even and monotone the entire time.

'That wasn't sincere at all… But I guess I'll take what I can get. Sakura will just have to work with this. There's nothing else either of us can do.'

Giving one of his signature eye crinkling smiles, he spoke.

"Thank you, Sasuke. I can forgive you for this. However, if you try anything like that again, I don't know if I'll be able to hold back."

Sasuke just have a single curt nod, understanding the thinly veiled threat. Kakashi wouldn't actually warm Sasuke, they both knew that. The threat leaned more towards Kakashi wouldn't hold Sakura back.

After they finished the main point of his visit, Kakashi and Sasuke discussed him leaving the village again on another long term mission. Once concluded, Kakashi assigned him to a six month recon mission in one of the smaller neighboring nations that was having issues with shinobi rebellion and mass defections. He would leave that following Monday and would return in the beginning of December with his final results and receive his next assignment and orders.

After saying their goodbyes, Sasuke left without another word.

The next three hours passed by slowly as Kakashi sat through four unplanned meetings, all which focused on his newly discovered relationship. Most of it was reminders of his position as Hokage. There was endless public relation blabber on how him and now Sakura would have to behave properly while out in public together and other nonsense he didn't care to really listen too.

Finally one o'clock hit and he found himself a period of peace and decided to enjoy the bento he brought with him that morning. Lunches were now something he looked forward too since Sakura began making him bentos to bring to work. He never ate so properly and healthy before and felt extremely spoiled by her for taking time out of her days to make sure he was taken care of.

It was one thing he loved most about her. Her selflessness was endless.

A couple soft knocks interrupted him from his thoughts. Groaning internally, he prayed it wasn't another surprise meeting. He just wanted to enjoy his lunch in peace.

"Enter." he grumbled.

The door opened and he felt relief wash over him when he realized who it was that wanted to disturb his peace.

"Hey there, stranger." the love of his life called out, giving him a cheeky wink as she made her way inside.

Standing up immediately, he marched around his desk to her. Pulling his mask down, he captured Sakura in a deep kiss as he embraced her. After a few seconds, she pulled back and gave him a curious look and teased him.

"I'm guessing you've missed me?" she giggled.

"Something like that."

Giving her another quick peck he released her and made his way back to his desk and leaned over and grabbed the bento. Sakura took her spot in the chair in front of it. Leaning against the front, he waited for her to speak as he took a couple bites of the delicious meal.

"Did he come?"

"Yes. We actually had a semiproper talk about everything." he replied after swallowing a mouthful of food.

Sakura's face lit up some at the positive news.

"Did he apologize? Properly?"

Giving her a warm smile to confirm his answer, he spoke.

"He did. Although it's very obvious he does not approve still, but he did give me a half decent apology. I'm still not exactly sure if he truly meant it or not."

"Thank goodness." she let out a content sigh and slouched more into her chair, "That was way more than I was expecting, if we're being honest."

Kakashi let out a quiet chuckle.

"So how did it go for you?" he asked, as he popped a piece of chicken into his mouth.

Giving him a twisted smile and contemplative look, she shrugged slightly.

"Better than I expected. Lots of questions, that's for sure. After explaining everything, they gave us their support."

A goofy grin graced his features.

"That's great! I told you th-" he started speaking, but she cut him off.

"There's just one condition though."

Confused, he gave her an odd look.

"And what's that?" he asked cautiously, raising a silver brow at her.

Giving him a mischievous grin of her own, Sakura revealed the condition.

"They're joining us for dinner. Tonight. To meet you as my boyfriend."

A/N: I noticed a lot of KakaSaku stories don't have much of her parents in them, so I fixed that here. They love Sakura so much, so of course they would be as concerned as they were! How do you guys think dinner will go? Stay tuned for next weeks chapter is find out. ;)

Also, Sasuke apologizing is obviously not his thing. I'm sure he's still hella pissed and only played the part in my opinion. Do you think he did a good job? Even half decent?

As always, please leave a review if you can! I love hearing from you guys!

Shout out as always to my lovely friend and beta, Taytay95!