AN: Another update wooo. I hope you enjoy the return of a certain someone to this chapter.

Thanks to the four reviewers- it keeps me going to here such nice praise and support.

I am so happy Babywolf and the guest read all this story through recently. That must mean you are enjoying my writing so it makes me happy.

Pham-konrubjangtay, even Sasuke can have his moments! Doesn't make up for the rest though!

Thank you Hannah, hope you feel the same about this update!

Chapter 37

Sakura was faced with another early morning to fit in her training with Gai-sensei. Because they both had work that morning, they had agreed on a 6am start in the training field. The sky was pink with glittering golden ways snaking through the sky here and there; not that Sakura could appreciate this, for she wore a blindfold whist Gai randomly attacked her from various angles.

The attacks were not continuous, but came in different time scales, completely random. The point, as Gai had explained, was for her to stay on her guard for a prolonged period of time and block his attacks without being able to see him.

After an hour of this, with the longest time between an attack up to twenty-five minutes, Gai leapt out from above and came down to land a blow directly above her head. For a moment Sakura nearly missed it (even Gai could be silent when he wanted) but she caught the whistling of the wind right at the last moment and ducked and rolled to safety. Gai being in mid-air was unable to change the course of his attack.

"Smart move Sakura-chan," he said beaming, pleased with her progress. "Excellent work again today. You are improving immensely. Remove the blindfold and rest now, we'll leave it here for today."

Sakura couldn't help but beam back at his praise, blushing slightly as she pulled off the dark material. "Thank you Gai-sensei. Patience has never been my virtue though, so I couldn't have honed these skills without your help."

"Don't get too excited though, we aren't done yet. So far you only have a basis in defending without sight. You need to learn much more than that to take on the sharingan. I learnt that the hard way from taking a severe beating from Kakashi."

Despite reminiscing over times he had been beaten almost senseless by an arrogant brat, Gai had a dreamy look on his face as he recalled his rival's skills.

"So other than not looking at the sharingan, what else can I try?"

"Well, one good way to fight them, although I haven't tried this myself, is using shadow clones. You will have heard people say that you should never fight a sharingan user one on one, and a team of at least two is essential. Well, if you were to be attacked by a sharingan user while alone, that would make you completely defenceless if that's the case, right? Wrong! I will teach you how to make the most of the shadow clone technique to create your own team, so you may attack with a perfect strategy. We will look at that in a few lesson's time. This is just one strategy to beat the sharingan though, I have researched plenty more in my time."

"But Gai-sensei," Sakura began nervously. She didn't want to offend the man who was giving up his free time to train her, but she couldn't help but feel a slight concern with this part of the training. "I don't want to be rude, especially when you are so good to me, but how will you teach me to use shadow clones if you cannot use ninjutsu yourself?"

But not to be perturbed, Gai merely posed with his hands on his hips and boomed, "Aha! You have noticed what others always thought to be my major flaw as a teacher! For this reason some parents of students had of course expressed concern too. However I will tell you what I told them: no teacher can learn all of the student's techniques, yet they can still impart knowledge to them on form, theory, style and strategy all the same, and aid with a strict training regime. In other words, I do not have to be proficient in a skill to impart wisdom on it. I can learn just as much about jutsu and strategy as anyone else. And as I do not rely on ninjutsu, I can teach ways to counter against such techniques that require little chakra. There will be times when an enemy is immune to your signature moves, and in these times, it is my style that prevails. In your case Sakura-chan, I am somewhat of an expert in all things sharingan as a result of my rivalry with your sensei. Even if I can't use all the different strategies to fight it myself, I still hold the knowledge."

Sakura smiled at the confident and, well, lovable teacher in front of her. "I see. Thank you for explaining Gai-sensei, and sorry for doubting you…"

"Don't worry about it. If only I had ryu for every time someone questioned my teaching, well I would be a rich man! Luckily though I have never sought such riches, only to further my incredible manly strength!"

Sakura couldn't help but laugh fondly. "Whatever you say, sensei." She bowed to him and grabbed her training bag. "Thank you for your time once again. I'll see you in a few days."

"I look forward to it, Sakura-chan. Your youthfulness keeps me on my toes!"

As she started walking away, she distinctly heard a hesitant noise from the man behind her and double back.

"Did you say something, sensei?"

"I just wondered whether you had seen much of Kakashi lately…"

"Ah," Sakura paused darkly, trying to think of an excuse. If Kakashi hadn't visited Gai there would be a reason, which she suspected had something to do with their so-called Hokage. Kakashi must be cutting himself off from others in the hope that they won't notice anything and assume he is busy. It is a shame that he would do this even to Gai though, as they had been friends for so long. Gai clearly missed his if those big dark eyes hanging on her reaction were anything to go by. He looked almost vulnerable right now, if that could be possible. Kakashi's attitude and distancing himself must have hurt his friend, she decided. Better make an excuse for him before things get any worse between them. Her sensei would need his friends around him after all, with what has been going on.

"I have not Gai-san, only a message that he is busy with work." The lie didn't fall as easy from her tongue as she would have hoped. But then again she had never been the best liar. That time she had pretended to love Naruto to keep him away from Sasuke had proved that. If only Naruto knew that those feelings had become real…

"I see. Well, I hope he doesn't work himself too hard anyway."

"I'll tell him to take it easy next time I see him. Goodbye."

Sakura was caught by surprise on her way back to her home to shower and change for work. Stood outside her apartment were two people she had not expected to see: one was the last person she wanted to see, and the other the person she had wanted to see the most.

"Finally," Sasuke said, leaning with his arms folded against the wall. "Where have you been? I didn't think you were working the night shift."

"Hi Kakashi," she said, not bothering to greet the Hokage. A great wave of loathing washed over her, and she longed only to lunge for him at that moment, to scream into his face and force him to apologise for all he had done. She hated seeing him anywhere near her friend. To Sasuke she merely said, "I'm not. I was out training before work."

Sasuke scoffed with amusement. "I wouldn't bother if I were you, nursey."

Sakura felt her fist twitch and contemplated hitting him. She knew he would stop her before she even came close though.

Kakashi, sensing the tension between them, at a time he really didn't need it, interrupted the potential tête-à-tête. Besides, he feared nothing more than Sakura confronting Sasuke, and Sasuke hurting her somehow.

"You won't be working today. I bring good news."

She knew instantly what this had to be about, to see Kakashi's filled with such relief. Sakura froze, unable to look away from those grey eyes, needing her thoughts to be confirmed. "Is this about Yamato-taichou?"

"He's here, and recovering in the hospital. He is free, Sakura."

The pink haired girl dropped her training bag and brought her hands to her cheeks, overcome with a mixture of feelings; relief, excitement, guilt. "Can it be… he is really home?"

"Yes. When you are ready we will go see him, if he is awake yet. I don't think he has slept so well for a long time." Kakashi gave a small smile.

"I'll be as quick as I can," she announced, scrabbling for her keys.

"I'll wait for you," Kakashi said going to follow her inside.

"Kakashi," Sasuke said, drawing the silver haired man's attention back to him. "I will leave you to it."

"Yes," Kakashi said. Sakura and Sasuke were both watching him now, and he knew he wouldn't be able to leave it there. "Thank you, Hokage-sama, for returning him to us."

Sasuke smirked and then glanced at Sakura. He was clearly pleased with himself. She knew that he also expected the same gratitude and respect from her… and was internally debating if she could get away with snubbing him, or wondering whether that would make things more difficult for Kakashi. She had promised after all that she wouldn't let Sasuke know that she knew the truth behind their relationship.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," she said stiffly. "For returning our dear friend."

"My pleasure," he said grinning at Kakashi. Sakura could have sworn it was a leer and felt sick. Kakashi could prevent the blush of shame that spread across his cheeks. He wished he could forget that night he had given himself to Sasuke so completely in exchange for Yamato's freedom.

"See you tomorrow, Kakashi," Sasuke said before walking away, completely confident in his actions.