E.H.

Yay! Another update! THANK YOU for all the wonderful Halloween wishes! Had a blast watching Eight Legged Freaks with my mother in law, husband, and Nana! I told you dears that I'd post these today! Just had to finish the process of editing after our lovely BETA reader helped me. The next prompt is When love from the past and love from the present clash, the heart rips itself apart. Rin comes back to life. from Mishi Nagano. After these two chapters we'll move into this next one! Thanks everyone!

Rated T (ish)
Unreasonable Jealousy
Part Two

Sakura stepped into her apartment with a frown. It hadn't been her imagination, Kakashi had looked almost…dejected when he'd left. She kicked off her boots and wracked her brain for a good reason as to why? She'd kissed him. Was…was that the problem? But he'd kissed her back. Had she sucked that badly? Running a hand through her hair, she went over every detail since he'd chased her after the Hokage's tower up until they'd said goodbye. It wasn't until she'd gone back over what she'd said that she realized her mistake. She groaned and slapped her hands over her face. No wonder! She'd 'friend zoned' him! That's not what she'd meant! Cursing she stormed across her apartment to her bedroom. What an idiot! She flopped on her bed and buried her face in her pillow, screaming loudly into the soft down filled item. Once she was satisfied, she rolled over and glared at her ceiling. She blinked a few times. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. When she opened her eyes again, she was on her side and the sun had retreated behind the mountains. She sat up, rubbing her eyes. When had she fallen asleep? With a sigh, she moved over her bed and sleepily walked to her kitchen to try and figure something to eat seeing as how her stomach was roiling. She had just opened her refrigerator when all her senses prickled. She spun, grabbing a kitchen knife. She dropped into a defensive position and paused at the figure sliding into her window. Her eyes hadn't properly adjusted to the dark yet; especially after the fridge light had blinded her.

"Put that away before you hurt yourself."

She tensed visibly and felt like baring her teeth. "What the hell do you think you're doing in my house?!"

Sasuke must have been giving her one of his famous eyebrow quirks as he seemed to be facing her. "I thought I made that rather obvious. Besides, you didn't properly seal your house back up. Careless. What if someone was coming in to assassinate you?"

"Like you?" She hissed making him halt as he'd begun to move closer to her.

"Sakura…" Sasuke sighed.

"Oh don't you fucking dare 'Sakura' me!"

"Why are you being so difficult? Isn't this what you've always wanted? Me asking you to be mine?" He started moving forward again and she honestly didn't think. If she'd thought, she'd probably have actually aimed better. The knife sailed through the air with a slight whistle. He deflected it easily and frowned at her. She could see his face better now.

Sakura seethed. "Get. Out."

"No." Sasuke replied stonily.

"If I have to repeat myself again—"

Sasuke interrupted her, "I'm not leaving. You—"

A long suffering sigh sounded from the window as two feet thudded on the floor. "Sakura-chan, you really shouldn't throw knives at Sasuke." Naruto stated as he pulled the knife from the wall. "Oi Teme, when a lady tells you to leave, you should really listen ya know."

"I wasn't asking for advice, Dobe."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I know that. But you need it…badly."

"And just what makes you think you're qualified to—" the Uchiha started only to have his hackles raise.

Naruto looked at Sasuke like he'd just asked where a baby comes from. He raised his left hand and wiggled his fingers; the golden band on his fourth finger catching the dim lighting. "Uh, in this case? The fact that I'm the one married."

Sasuke scoffed but fell silent. He turned so that Sakura was to his left and Naruto to his right. Crossing his arms he narrowed his gaze on Sakura. "I already stated my intent, Sakura. I'm not changing my mind."

"I don't give a damn. I'm not the same little girl anymore."

He frowned. "Of course not. Why do you think I chose you? You've become a very strong, very able kunoichi. Still not on par with most of the Uchiha clan females in the past, no. However you are the strongest of our generation and will surpass Senju Tsunade. Therefore, you are my choice."

Naruto groaned and slapped his face as Sakura felt her eyes ignite with anger.

"Oh, well…gee. Let me just drop my panties for you right here, big boy." She drawled with cold sarcasm.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto looked horrified as Sasuke blushed. She turned to Naruto with an icy look.

"Get him the fuck out of my house. When he can learn how to properly speak to a woman and not some love-sick bitch in heat…then maybe he can be welcomed back. Until then, keep him away from me." With that said, Sakura slammed her fridge shut and crossed to her bedroom and slammed that door next. She waited with her back pressed to the door. She couldn't make out whatever was being said, but the low masculine murmurs finally died down and Sasuke's chakra disappeared. She felt Naruto come to her door before he knocked once on the door.

"Come on, I know you're standing right against the door, Sakura-chan."

She turned and opened the door. She stepped out and around Naruto. He followed her as she moved to turn on a few lights. She returned to her kitchen and began to make some tea. Naruto hopped up onto her counter and swung his legs, watching her expectantly. She ignored him until she dropped her tea bag into the hot water. Turning, she looked up at him.

"What?"

"Well…I'm kind of curious about two things. One, why are you being so cold toward Sasuke? Two, when did you and Kakashi-sensei start liking each other?" Naruto smirked toward her.

Sakura swore as she spilled hot tea down her front and threw the mug into the sink carefully and danced around in pain. She glared up at him. "Really?! While I'm holding hot tea?! Damnit Naruto!"

Naruto didn't look the least bit remorseful as he grinned at her. "C'mon Sakura! I can see it!"

"Shut it. And don't ever, ever speak of it again! Clear?" Sakura barked.

"Mmhm. So? When?" The blonde tipped his head sideways while looking too damned cocky over the matter.

"Didn't you ask something else too?" She turned away, hiding the furious blush that had crept onto her face.

"He did ask why you have been so cold toward Duck Butt." Added another voice.

Sakura turned and glowered as Sai slid her window shut behind him. At least he shut the damned window! "Joy. Next thing you know, I'll have the whole damn village in here asking about this!"

"Only if you do not keep your voice down, Ugly."

She rolled her eyes at the annoying nickname. Taking a deep breath, she gnawed on her bottom lip out of nervous habit. "Can I have another, simpler, question to answer?"

"Nope." Both men answered; one with a huge toothy grin and the other with a small knowing smile.

She sighed, hopping up on her counter across the sink from Naruto as Sai moved to lean against the bar edge. "Sasuke left me knocked out cold on a bench after I protested my undying love for him. Then, he tried to kill me…twice. Then out of the blue, he comes back and decides 'Oh! Sakura! What a great choice for a baby factory! Hey! She's strong! Why not? She's always been obsessed with me!' He didn't chose me out of any emotional reasoning. I was simply the most logical and powerful choice."

Sai nodded slowly. "I see. Women do not like to be considered as baby factories then?"

Sakura shot him a sardonic look. "No, Sai. Especially not proud kunoichi."

"I get that. But you know how he is, he's…well, he's really stupid about expressing emotion. He's been pretty fucked up most his life, Sakura-chan." Naruto tucked one foot up under his other leg. She almost scolded him for placing his sandaled foot on her counter. However, it was Naruto. She could never actually be mad at him for it.

"Yeah…I know. But still it's just…I don't…I'm confused." She sighed.

A knowing grin spread over Naruto's face again. "Heh. Yeah, 'cause you've got someone else in your sights now."

"It is rather obvious; especially if Dickless sees it."

"Oi!"

Sakura knocked her head back against the cabinet door lightly. "I…he's a very close companion. You guys know that. I mean, you'll always be my boys. No matter what. To some extent, even Sasuke will be one of my boys. I guess we just started growing closer as time went on. After you got married and started your Hokage training and Sai you became an ANBU captain…I really didn't have too many people left to hang with really. Hinata-chan is great but I feel bad being an emotional leech when she's got Mako-chan to look over. And then Ino is a great friend, but sometimes…I can't handle her escapades and flirtations with everything male. Tenten is always training with Lee. None of the other guys are exactly close friends. So, in a way…Kakashi was all I had."

"Do you love him?" Naruto asked softly. Sakura snapped her head up and stared at Naruto almost aghast.

"I—well, yes. I mean, I love all of you."

"Does he make you happy, Sakura?" She shifted, really uncomfortable with Naruto's questions. Since when had he become Mr. Sappy and wise? But, all she could think of was how much they laughed together. How joyful she was around him. How comfortable it was to just…be by him. It wasn't awkward at all when she curled up against his chest, nestled in his lap as she watched a movie and he read. In fact, that more she thought about it…the more…intimate her relationship with Kakashi seemed. Her cheeks began to stain red.

"I suppose he does…" She whispered, staring at her fingers in her lap. "But it's not like it's a big deal. I mean, I'm sure that's the farthest thing from his mind as we hang out. After all, I am his student and we have so many years between us and—"

"You are making excuses, Ugly."

She stopped and clenched her jaw. Damn them both. She didn't raise her eyes.

"You're not really his student. I mean, we never really were." Naruto shrugged. "Maybe at first. He did teach us some of the most important views that've stuck with us and all that. But…Kakashi-sensei handed us over the people he knew could teach us what we really needed to learn. The ones who could teach us what he couldn't."

Sakura looked up then with a frown. "What do you mean by that? You begged Jiraiya-sama to take you for training. I begged Tsunade-sama to train me. Which wasn't easy to do, by the way."

Naruto smiled and chuckled as he met her gaze. "Yeah, we did. But who do you think went to them first? Who do you think convinced them beforehand? Ero-sennin confessed to me when I went to finish my training with him that Kakashi-sensei had actually came to them both first. Ero-sennin had always intended to train me 'cause he trained my old man. But Kakashi-sensei wanted to be absolutely sure. He also begged baa-chan to take you on. When she agreed, he asked her to pretend that she didn't already agree to it. Make you work for it; want it desperately enough to grow from it."

Sakura sat in stunned silence. "H-he did? K-Kakashi did that…? I-I didn't…"

"Yeah," Naruto scratched his head nervously. "I wasn't supposed to ever tell ya either…Ero-sennin promised to beat me senseless if I did. Hehehe…"

She dropped her gaze and watched her vision blur. She blinked and shook her head. "I can't believe he did that for me…"

"He had faith in us from the start. I think Sasuke was the only one of us that he…he wasn't sure about. That's why he focused so much time on him and effort to train him. He probably hoped that somehow he could save Sasuke."

"Ugly, would you like me to grab a tissue for you?"

Sakura looked up and smiled at him gratefully. She nodded. "Yeah…please."

Sai nodded and moved across the apartment to where she kept her tissue box in the living room. He returned with one and she swiped at her tears. She sighed and laughed lightly in disbelief. "This is all so…weird."

Naruto snickered. "Yeah, tell me about it!" He looked at the clock and pursed his lips. "Ah, gotta get home. Mako's about to go down for bed. Oh! Yeah, his birthday is rescheduled for tomorrow night."

"Oh, okay." She laughed. "I can't wait to see his face when he gets my gift!"

"Ha! He's spoiled enough!" Naruto snorted and hopped down. "Sasuke will be there…"

She shrugged. "As long as he behaves himself, I will be civil."

"All right…" Naruto sounded doubtful but he motioned for Sai to follow. "Oyasu, Sakura-chan!"

"Oyasumi, Naruto, Sai." Sliding down from her perch, she headed to get herself ready for her shift at the hospital. If she had known that by taking the night shift she missed the chance to talk with Kakashi, she would have told Ino flat out no to swap shifts.

…..

It was…strange. Being on a solo mission was never odd for him. It was usually preferred and less cumbersome than having someone with him. However this one…left him feeling rather lonely. It was a very simple, very boring mission. He had to play escort and parade himself around with a pretty girl who was spoiled rotten. He'd actually lost count of the times she'd tried to so-called 'seduce' him. It never worked. Every time she tried, he simply grimaced and slipped away. She wasn't Sakura. That alone bothered him in ways in never should have in the first place. He was rather annoyed by it all really. This mission had been handed to him at the worst time. Just after everything with Sakura, he was sent away? What if Sasuke managed to sweep her off her feet by the time he got home? He growled at that thought as he pushed himself farther and harder to get home quickly. It'd already been a two weeks. He'd missed Makoto's birthday party too. He heaved a sigh and wanted to yell at the universe for dishing him this cold serving of life. Pakkun shot him a look.

"Boss, you look…upset."

"Mm?" He didn't bother making much more than a simple grunt in response.

"And you smell like you're ready to kill."

Kakashi shot the dog a sideways glance. "I'm fine."

"Uhuh. And I was a whining newborn pup yesterday." Pakkun scoffed.

"Pakkun—"

"If you're that riled up about the mission, it went smoothly. Didn't the man thank you for not 'defiling' his daughter?"

"It's not the mission." Kakashi sighed.

"Ho? And what is it, boss?" Pakkun asked before he added. "Is it Sakura-chan?"

Kakashi nearly missed the branch that he was leaping to. He had to pause and regain himself. Pakkun gave him the closest thing to a smirk that a pug could manage.

"Just what makes you think that?"

"You've been a heck of a lot happier since you started hanging out with her." Pakkun frowned and sat down looking at Kakashi. "You're worried about Sasuke-boy, aren't you?"

Kakashi glared at the pug but averted his gaze, refusing to answer.

"Then make your move and claim your mate, boss. It's simple."

"It's not simple. She's not a dog, Pakkun. I can't just approach her and tell her she's mine. Doesn't work that way. Besides, how am I to know she doesn't view me as some old man or even as just a friend?"

"Kakashi." Pakkun used his name and stood on his back legs, propping his front paws on the Copy Nin's knees. "Trust me on this. Girls, females…don't wash their hair or fur twice in the same day and wear nice smelling perfume just to hang out with friends."

"What? Wait, how do you know Sakura washes her hair twice?"

"She smells stronger and nicer when she's planning to see you. If you just meet up out of the blue, she smells normal." Pakkun's nonchalant answer made Kakashi look to the pug.

"…and how would you know this…?"

"Just because you can summon me doesn't mean I can't come on my own, boss."

Kakashi sighed and looked to the side. "And if Sasuke has managed to woo her?"

"If you really don't believe in her enough to stick to her guns about Sasuke-boy…" Pakkun dropped to his paws and turned to ready himself for moving again. "Then you really don't deserve her."

Kakashi ignored the sting of Pakkun's words. After all, they were truthful. He nodded and they continued on their way. His head was now full of many new things. Most of all, how to approach the girl who plagued his heart as of late. When they finally reached Konoha he moved toward her apartment only to have Pakkun stop him.

"Boss, don't go straight to her just yet."

"Why not?"

"You smell like sweat and travel. You want to win her over? Groom yourself and make yourself the best option. Go home and bathe first."

Sometimes the dog's logic was almost too sharply keen. He nodded and listened. He altered course and headed home. Dropping into his apartment, he stripped as he moved to his shower. To be honest, he'd only thought to shower quickly. He ended up taking the longest shower he'd ever taken. He stared at the shampoo he had. It was basic, scentless soap. He glanced at the cabinet. Didn't Naruto get him some ridiculous smelling stuff a few months back claiming he needed to try it? He bent and scoured for the shampoo, finally finding the ironically orange bottle. He read the scent name and arched a brow at it.

"Sensual Sequence?" He snorted and rolled his eyes but opted for it after all. He scrubbed himself clean twice before he scrubbed his hair with the shampoo twice. For some reason, he wanted to be sure that he'd gotten all the grime off of him and his hair. He felt ridiculous, really. However, he couldn't deny that the male scent of the shampoo was kind of nice. Once the water turned cold, he'd stepped out and dried off. He rubbed his jaw and paused at the stubble. He grabbed his razor and set to shaving. He cursed as he nicked himself. When his jaw was satisfactory, he patted a light aftershave on. He stepped out and to his closet. He pulled out a clean pair of pants and typical shirt. He tugged on a masked, sleeveless top before pulling his usual dark blue shirt with the Konoha swirl on the arm. He paused as Pakkun hopped on his bed and cleared his canine throat.

"Yes…?" He hesitated with the baggy shirt halfway over his chest.

"No. You need to wear something not standard issue."

"I don't really own—"

"Your father's shirt."

Kakashi felt his breath leave him slowly as he shot his closet a quick glance. He tugged the shirt off and walked to the closet, bending to pull out the only tiny box he had of some of his father's items. He pulled out the folded shirt his father had owned. It even still smelled a bit like his father. He stared at the silver fold over shirt with obi. "I'm going to look ridiculous with this."

"Trust me, you'll look fine."

Kakashi stood and shook his head as he moved to slide the shirt on. He folded the front sides together over his undershirt and tied the dark blue obi around his waist. The ends of the tie hung down to his side with a small flame design flicking up the ends of the obi. It was designed similarly to a karate stylized top. He sighed and turned holding his arms out with his brows raised in question at the pug.

"Good, you look presentable."

Kakashi moved to grab his hitai-ate and Pakkun grunted.

"Leave it."

"…why?"

Pakkun sat back on his haunches with an eye roll. "You want her to accept you for you, right? Go without it. It will impress her."

"Are you really plotting to use this as blackmail later on?" Kakashi grumped.

"Trust me, boss. If you screw this up, I won't need to use any of this as blackmail."

"Oh wonderful. I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"You're welcome. Now, shoes and get going."

"Yes sir. Anything else, oh mighty pug?"

"Hmm…no. Just don't do anything stupid."

Kakashi didn't answer just rolling his eyes and moved for the door. He slid his shoes on and headed off quickly for her apartment. He paused at her door after a few minutes and worked up the courage to knock. He swallowed hard and tucked his hands into his pockets, waiting for her answer. Silence greeted him. He shifted uncomfortably before he knocked once more. She didn't normally ignore the door. After a long pause, he headed for the hospital. If she wasn't home, she'd be working. His run across the village was starting to make him nervous. He moved into the hospital and up to the reception desk awkwardly. He tried desperately to ignore the several heated glances from several nurses.

"Which floor is Sakura working tonight?"

The receptionist looked up. She paused and gave him a long once over before straightening further. He mentally rolled his eyes at her. "Haruno-san? She's not working tonight."

"Oh…?" He felt himself slump a bit further. If she wasn't there or home…she could be out at Ichiraku with Naruto except…he'd passed there. She wasn't there. Was she…? No. He couldn't think like that. But what if she was out with him?

"But I did overhear Yamanaka-san talking about them going to some club in the civilian district. Something called…The Shadow Fox."

Kakashi quirked a brow at the obviously cheesily inspired name. "Thank you." He turned and entertained the notion of heading home. As he stepped out into the night air, he knew that if he returned home now, Pakkun would be right. He wouldn't give up now. After all, wasn't that something he'd drilled into his students? Never give up? With that in mind, he headed for the civilian district.

…..

Sakura tugged on the ridiculously short dress Ino had hand-picked for her. Not only did it cling to her a little too uncomfortably, it also was off the shoulder with a deep V in the back that was only covered with lace. Lace. She felt naked and knew that most of the men in there who kept eying the duo were practically envisioning her naked. She sipped at the fruity concoction Ino had ordered for them. While her dress was a deep smoky grey, Ino's was simply black. And Sakura was more than thankful for the elbow length sleeves that still wrapped around her arms. Ino's dress was literally just a sheath. A strapless sheath with the middle part only a sheer fabric with sparkling black rhinestones in a strangely fascinating patter around. Ino's skirt was impossibly short. At least Sakura could tug hers down a little. Ino didn't seem to mind that she was merely inches away from flashing everyone her black thong. Sakura was embarrassed by the woman. A high pitched giggle from not too far away caught her attention. She looked over and nearly spat out the drink she'd just taken. Only twenty feet away stood Karin in a dress that made Ino's look tame. Karin's left nothing to the imagination. It was basically an over glorified bikini with a tiny slip of the skirt barely wrapping around her hips. The rest was jeweled red straps of fabric dangling between the strapless bra and her 'skirt'. Next to her stood Sasuke. He appeared to be holding up the wall. And it really un-nerved her to realize he was staring right at her. He was sporting a black shirt under a dark blue jacket that was unzipped and a pair of well fitted pants tucked into his sandals. He smirked at her and she averted her gaze.

"Shit…" She cursed as he caught movement from the corner of her vision. He was moving toward her. She could feel his chakra reach out toward her like a snake slithering ever closer. She couldn't escape him. And that made her pulse leap. Ino smirked as civilian began to move toward her. She glanced over and blinked as she spotted who was moving up beside Sakura.

Sasuke leaned his elbow on the bar and nodded to Ino in greeting. "Sakura."

Sakura stiffened and cleared her throat, looking at him. "Sasuke."

"Hey! Sasuke? What are you doing here?" Ino grinned. "Oh! Hey! You two should dance together! I'm going to go dance with this hottie over here!" The blonde slurred. Sakura spun and shot Ino an angry look until she realized just how drunk Ino was. She'd almost forgotten that Ino had drank as much as she had. With her medical chakra, alcohol took three times the amount to affect her as it did to affect a normal male with a high tolerance. Hence why shishou always downed a bottle or five a day just to get buzzed.

"That sounds like a good idea. Sakura?" He held out his hand to her and she wanted to curse her luck. She also didn't want to look like a bitch. She blew out a slow breath.

"Fine, but no wandering hands. Got it?" She stated as she moved to her feet, not too pleased with Ino's choice in foot wear. Why did that damned woman love heels so much? The black boots that went just over her knees weren't exactly comfortable with the spiked heels. As Sasuke tugged her to the dance floor, she found herself smirking in amusement as she imagined using the evil spikes to stomp on his foot should he do something unwelcome. With that in mind, she stifled a chuckle and let him place a hand on the middle of her back.

"You look very…" His dark eyes scanned over her and she felt like slapping him; with chakra. "Nice."

It wasn't the word he'd thought and they both knew it. She narrowed her eyes in warning. "Thank you."

He pulled her closer as the beat picked up. She placed her hand on his chest between them to keep a certain distance between them. "Sasuke…"

"I'm honoring your wishes."

"Barely." She hissed between her teeth.

"Have you thought over my proposal yet?"

"Still thinking over it." She looked away. She didn't want to answer his inquiry. He had been honoring her space much more lately. He hadn't been demanding much of her any longer. However, he continued pursuing her in a less direct fashion. He would attempt to woo her. If that's what it was called. Ino had called it seducing. She really wished at that moment that the blonde hadn't gotten so drunk. Ino would have told Sasuke to get lost if she hadn't been so giddy with alcohol and ready to fling herself at the cute guy who'd asked her to dance. It didn't help that Ino had been eying the man all night. She had even stated that if he asked her to dance, she wasn't going to make it home that night. Sakura rolled her eyes only to be brought back to reality as Sasuke pressed his lips to the side of her neck. She stilled and ground her teeth, preparing to shove him away. At least until her eyes met a certain pair of surprised mismatched ones from across the club. Near the entry way stood Kakashi, dressed…well…nice. It was a shock to say the least. However, she felt her eyes widen as his sharingan eye slowly shut and his face quickly shifted to his blank expression. Sakura felt her pulse stutter. Sasuke stood up straight and frowned at her.

"What's wrong?"

She moved her other hand to his chest and began to push him away. "I can't. I don't want this."

"Sakura—"

"Just let me go, Sasuke!" She growled and glared up into his face. "I'm sorry. But I really don't want to date you. I don't want to be that girl. Not ever again! I'm sick of this! Of this…this…game! I love you. But as a friend, gods even like a brother! But I'm not in love with you anymore! I don't even know if I ever really was! But that girl, over there…" She turned and pointed to Karin. "She is. She loves you. She does everything out of desperation for you to notice her! Revive your clan with her!"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed upon her. He grabbed her wrist roughly and pulled her back a bit too harshly. She bit back the urge to cry out; she wouldn't admit that his grip actually hurt. She raised her other hand to slap him, but he caught it. He moved to kiss her although she was not okay with that. She jumped in surprise as a hand suddenly clamped over Sasuke's mouth. She blinked and looked up over Sasuke's head.

"Kakashi…"

"Yo, Sakura." Kakashi smiled under his mask at her. His eyes both moved with the motion. "I was curious, would you care to dance with an old man?"

Sakura felt herself blush with excitement and also relax some more. He was here. He wasn't going to let Sasuke do anything to her. He would protect her. In fact, the idea of Kakashi protecting her didn't bother her. She could take care of herself and he knew that. Hell, they both knew that. However, it was the sentiment that made her heart leap. Sasuke shot a dark glare at Kakashi.

"I would, very much so." She smiled back at Kakashi.

"Ah, if you don't mind releasing her Sasuke…?" It wasn't a request. Sasuke growled lightly but he opened his hands. Sakura slid away from him. Kakashi then removed his own hand with an aggravatingly gleeful smile. The one that meant he was merely suffering a fool. Sasuke turned and sneered at Kakashi.

"And what does a pervert like you have to offer her?"

"A choice." Kakashi stated simply as his face fell into a serious expression. "I don't care how you deal with any other aspect of your life, Sasuke. But you will treat Sakura with more respect than that. You owe her that much as your team-mate whose given blood, sweat, and countless tears for you. As a friend and as apprentice of the Godaime Hokage herself."

"You're not my sensei any longer, Kakashi. You only taught me how to wield certain tools and weapons. That's it." Sasuke growled, starting to step forward.

Kakashi's face didn't show any of the sting Sasuke undoubtedly was trying to injure him with. "And I regret that every day I wake."

Sasuke stiffened and Sakura stepped between them, placing her back to Sasuke and pressing her front to Kakashi's. "How about that dance?"

"Ah, of course." He bowed his head toward Sasuke briefly before turning and offering Sakura his arm like a gentlemen. He escorted her across the floor to a more empty area. He turned to her and placed his left hand at her right side in the 'safe zone' and clasped her left hand. He ignored the blasting music and its strange beats and guided her into a waltz on the empty area of the darkened floor. Sakura fought the urge to giggle and looked at him curiously.

"Why are we waltzing?" She finally gave into the giggle that bubbled forth.

He shrugged. "Mah…I'm too old to dance like that." He motioned with his head toward the gyrating couples of young people. Ino being among them, Sakura noted. She chuckled and nodded.

"It's okay, I don't care for that much either."

"Then why are you here? This place is far too…" He searched for the right word. Sakura began to narrow her gaze on him. "Undeserving of you."

She stopped moving to stare at him in surprise. He stopped as well. She watched him expectantly. What was he trying to say?

"Well, I'm trying to say that you're too…delicate and, well, beautiful to be in this dingy dump." He stated softly, looking away from her. She frowned only to realize she'd spoken aloud. A small smile tugged at her lips. Shy, uncertain Kakashi had to be one of the most adorable things she'd ever seen. And Mako-kun during a nap was pretty damned awe-inducing.

"You think I'm beautiful?"

"Of course you are, Sakura." Kakashi smiled back and then glanced toward the exit longingly. She laughed and nodded.

"Just let me go make sure Ino gets home in one piece."

He nodded. She turned and moved toward Ino. She tapped on the guy's shoulder and pushed up on her toes to speak to him. He leaned down toward her to hear her. "Your name is Mochi Riyuu, isn't it?"

He shot her an odd look but nodded. "Yes…"

"She will be home, tucked into her bed safe and sound by tomorrow morning. She will be taken care of as though she were a flower that needs to be cared for. If you do anything to hurt her, I will make sure your next hospital visit will be the most painful and life altering one you've ever had or ever will again. Are we clear?" She stated with a bright smile.

Riyuu's eyes bulged as she leaned away from her quickly and glanced at Ino and then back. Ino pouted at Sakura drunkenly. He nodded quickly and rapidly. "Y-Yes maim."

"Good boy." She patted his arm and then headed back to Kakashi. She walked past him with a small, "shut up" as he chuckled at her. The air hit her like a slap to the face. She gasped involuntarily and wrapped her arms around herself. "Damnit, next time…I'm forcing Ino to let me bring my jacket!"

"…here…" She blinked as something warm draped over her. She looked to see the same silver, kimono like top that Kakashi had been wearing drape over her shoulder. She looked up at him sharply. He tucked his hands back into his pockets as his bare arms flexed. She didn't drool a little at the sight. Nope. Not at all. She shifted.

"But you'll be cold…"

He shrugged. "It's just a little chill. Come on. Let me walk you home."

Sakura nodded and moved closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his left one and hugged it. "I'm sorry, I'm not very tall so I can only warm this much of one arm at a time." She blushed and looked away from him.

He chuckled and leaned over a little toward her. "It's perfect, Sakura."

She bit her bottom lip to keep the stupid grin from splitting her face. He led her across the civvies district at a normal, civilian pace. A comfortable silence settled over them as they walked. She cursed after a little while and paused their journey to tug the boots off. She sighed happily and held them as her bare feet padded along beside him. He frowned down at her and she looked at him with a tilt of her head. "What?"

"Are you going to be colder now?"

"Maybe. But the cold feels good on my feet. They hurt."

Kakashi stopped and made some low sound in his throat before he moved before her and crouched down. She stared at his back before her face turned red-light district rouge. He looked over his shoulder at her. "Well…?"

"I-I can't do that!" She squawked. "My skirt's too short!"

He chuckled. "And? I'm not going to complain."

"Kakashi!" She slapped his back lightly only to give into a small laugh. "Perv."

"You already knew that. Now hop on. No one is around. Your backside will be safely concealed until we get to your apartment."

"Oh fine!" She growled and moved forward, feeling her neck and ears burn as his hands hooked behind her knees. She moved her arms around his neck securely, the boots dangling from her hand.

"Maybe you should try putting some perfume in the boots before you wear them barefoot."

Sakura glared at the back of his head. "Oh shut it! He who never combs his hair!"

"I combed it tonight. Twice."

"T-twice?" She snorted as she giggled. "No bald spots?"

"Ah, you wound me!" He jested as he leapt onto the rooftops and crossed the village in their usual manner. She pressed her cold nose to the back of his neck. "I'm not that old."

"No, no you're not."

"What's this? You are defending me? What do you want? Money? My family jewels?" His tone implied that he would have wagged his eyebrows if she could see them. She laughed and shook her head.

"Now why would I want your family jewels?"

Silence fell over them for a bit. "Good question." Sakura felt her smile falter. She squeezed his shoulders lightly.

"Kakashi…"

"Hm?"

"I was joking."

"Careful. That could be taken the wrong way, Sakura." He teased again, but half-heartedly.

Sakura dragged her teeth over her bottom lip again. "I know that…"

Kakashi stopped and didn't look back at her. They stood atop an old building in the shinobi district. It was one of the original buildings in Konoha before Pein's attack and thus was one of the tallest ones as well. The moon shone brightly above them. He shifted her a bit on his back. "Sakura…"

"Take me home, Kakashi."

He frowned and glanced back at her then. "I was under the impression that I was."

Sakura hid her face as she took a deep breath. "To your home."

She could feel the way his muscles tensed. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." She whispered as she shifted a bit herself.

"If you change your mind—"

"I won't." She interrupted him.

"If you do, just say the word."

"All right. But I still won't." Sakura sighed against his back.

Hope you enjoyed! As always let me know how you liked it! Thanks for reading everyone!

Erika Hearken