A/N: Hi!

There are pivotal scenes that make every one of my stories come to fruition, scenes that were so stark in my mind that they made the story—in a sense, the story wraps around them. This chapter has one of them.

I guess what I mean to say is that I already had the story planned from beginning to end when I first started to write it, besides the small stuff that fit in between the big scenes. I have very vivid images of how scenes will go in my head, but sometimes I don't know if my writing does them justice.

Fallout

Love buckles under the strain of those wild nights

Sakura caved on the fourth day.

They hadn't seen each other since Thursday night and on Monday night after her shift at the hospital ended at one in the morning, Sakura found herself taking the path to Kakashi's apartment. She told herself that she was only going to see him, make sure he was doing alright even though she was going to see him tomorrow at Mino's appointment.

Once she reached his apartment, knowing that he sometimes liked to sleep with his window open, Sakura scaled the wall. She made sure to flare her chakra, so he wouldn't be alarmed by her sudden appearance.

She crawled in through his window, chucked her shoes off and crawled onto his lap.

He was waiting for her, ready.

Sakura breathed out a relieved sigh that she didn't know she'd been holding in 'till then when he sank into her. She closed her eyes in pleasure and shivered at the goosebumps that flourished all throughout her body.

They didn't speak, only met each other's eyes in silent communication—I missed this, I missed you—until they both finished

Sakura snuggled next to him after she had removed her skirt and shirt, already half asleep. Her back was against his side, face turned away.

He wasn't really tired and so he started thinking…

Kakashi knew that if Sakura had not come to him tonight, he probably would have been at her place right then, in her bed instead.

Then his mind shifted to other, more nagging matters...

Kakashi had witnessed Sakura go through many phases of her life and knew that once she set her sights on something, she would not rest until she achieved her premeditated goal. In other words, she was stubborn. And she was still very young. Maybe it was just the sex for her. Was this all she wanted from him?

Sakura shifted slightly next to him, wiggling closer to his side. "Kakashi?" She said, voice thick with sleep.

"Hm?" He replied softly.

"I don't want to have sex with anyone else but you."

Her statement stopped his relentless thoughts immediately.

Well, he thought, guess that's that.

In the morning, when they wake up, they decide to tell Naruto.

Kakashi had been called out on a mission by Tsunade herself the next day, so he thought he would have to skip Mino's session

They hadn't agreed on a date to tell Naruto, but Sakura supposed that they would discuss the matter when he returned. She also wanted him to clarify a few things about their own relationship. Before he left at five in the morning, Kakashi had told her that Tsunade had mentioned that the mission would only require a few hours, and yet he still had not returned.

Sakura was a nervous wreck trying to figure out how they would tell Naruto. At first, she had suggested to Kakashi that maybe she should tell him on her own—maybe he would take the news better if she was the one who did it—but Kakashi refused, saying that it would be extremely cowardly of him to allow that.

She wasn't so nervous telling her other teammates, really. She had a feeling that Sai and Yamato would be surprised at first, but wouldn't really care in the long run. As for Sasuke...well, honestly, Sakura didn't care what he thought—while she still cared for him and wished him a happy life, any influence he might have had over her decisions vanished when he did for five years. She was also very worried about how Tsunade would react.

With these thoughts swirling through her mind, Sakura entered the room where they usually met for Mino's sessions. Their sessions had actually been very productive the past month and a half. Mino had even hinted that they might be coming to an end, which surprisingly, Sakura felt a bit disappointed about. She was actually starting not to mind their time together.

She entered the room to find everyone there minus Kakashi.

Mino started off the meeting by informing them that Kakashi might not be there for their session, which she already knew, of course.

"So for today, I thought that we could confess something that we've always wanted to tell one another," Mino continued, pushing his glasses up his nose to better peer at them, "Something that you might want to get off your chest."

Sakura's heart fluttered and her hands started immediately sweating. Something they wanted to get off their chest? Was she imagining things or had Mino just given her a very significant look? Did he know? How did he even know? ...And she was supposed to wait for Kakashi.

"It doesn't have to be a profound confession if you don't want—it can be something small."

Should she just say it and have it over with?

While Sakura tried to keep her breathing in check, she only half listened as Naruto started speaking.

"Um, well," he started sheepishly, "Sai? I brushed Akamaru's teeth with your toothbrush once. Sorry, man."

She didn't pay attention to Sai's response.

Sakura was having a severely surreal experience, she felt as if she was out of her body but simultaneously in her body, trying to escape. Everything that was going on felt very far away. Her breathing became more elevated as she slowly turned to Naruto.

Naruto still had a contrite air about him as Sakura looked at, which promptly transformed into one of worry as he noticed Sakura's stare.

"Sakura-Chan, what is it?"

Oh shit, here it comes. "I—," she faltered for a second, eyes blinking rapidly, then finally, "I slept with Kakashi. More than once."

What the actual fuck? Did she really say it like that?! And that it had happened more than once? She could have just said they were dating and left it at that. Though, she didn't exactly know what to call their relationship and she didn't want Naruto to think that it had only been a one time thing, because they were more than that. That at least she knew.

All this ran through her head as stunned silence greeted her confession.

The expression on Naruto's face fell, replaced by confusion, "Wait, what? Are you joking?"

He stared at Sakura's wide-eyed expression, at the seriousness etched on her face, and then anger encapsulated his face—his cerulean eyes—dark and fierce as a thundercloud.

Oh no.

"What. The. Fuck." Naruto stated in a low, seething voice, so different from his usual boisterous volume.

She would have preferred him to shout.

"How long?"

"I—what—," Sakura stuttered.

Mino tried to intercede. "Maybe we should take a breather and try to discuss this—"

"Be quiet," Naruto barked at Mino. "How long has this been going on?!"

Sakura knew that it was only a matter of time before her anger made an appearance, and with the way Naruto had just treated Mino, she felt rage-fueled heat bubbling through her veins. This wasn't Mino's fault.

"It's none of your business!" Sakura spat. Hands clenching on her lap.

"The fuck it isn't!" Naruto suddenly shot up to his feet, hands balled at his side in a white-knuckled clutch.

Sakura mirrored his actions, flying to her feet. She faintly saw Sasuke, Sai, and Yamato getting cautiously to their feet from her peripheral vision.

Was their caution for her sake? That was unnecessary, Naruto would never hurt her. Or was it for her sake? Well, she wouldn't hurt him either.

"It's not your business, Naruto—!"

"And where the fuck is he?! Was he too big of a coward to tell me himself?! He had to send you to do it all by your—"

"Shut up, Naruto! You're wrong! He wanted to tell you together—told me to wait for him—but I needed to tell you. I didn't want to hide it from you anymore! But do you know what? I'm glad I told you first and that he's not here because you're reacting to this like a fucking child—!"

"I'm acting like a child? How the hell did you expect me to react exactly—?"

"Like a mature adult!" Sakura couldn't believe what was happening. "Nobody else is acting like this."

"Naruto," Yamato was finally the first one to speak. He held out a hand cautiously to Naruto. "Maybe we should go take a walk so you can have a chance to think about this—"

"I don't want to go on a walk—," Naruto spat, but suddenly was interrupted as the door swung open.

"I'm sorry I'm late—," Kakashi started as he entered the doorway.

"Oh shit," Sasuke said quietly.

Everything happened very quickly after that.

Because Sakura was still turned around, looking at Kakashi with wide eyes, she only felt as Naruto rushed past her towards Kakashi, but then he was in her line of sight—he pulled back his fist and punched Kakashi hard in his face—

Kakashi, obviously not at all prepared to be punched, was caught entirely unawares. His body hit the wall behind him with a dull thunk and he slid to the floor.

Sasuke was suddenly there, holding Naruto's arms behind his back, restraining him from landing another blow. The muscles in his arms strained as he struggled to control Naruto. Yamato and Sai hovered close in case he needed help.

Sakura had run to Kakashi and knelt by him. "Oh my—are you all right?" Blood started soaking Kakashi's mask as she asked. "Oh shit. Kakashi, I'm sorry. I know you said to wait, but I had to tell him—" She wanted to make him understand.

Kakashi blinked, dazed by the sudden events. "Sakura, it's okay. I understand—"

"GE AWAY FROM HER!" Naruto shouted.

Sakura turned in time to see Naruto finally struggle out of Sasuke's arms, and though his body was leaning towards them in anger, he did not advance.

Sakura stood and placed herself between Kakashi and Naruto in case he tried to hit him again.

He lurched as if he were going to try to get around her, but Sakura pushed him roughly back. "Back the fuck off," she growled. She hadn't meant to, but her push had been somewhat chakra-infused, so as a result, Naruto stumbled back farther than she intended.

She heard Kakashi getting up behind her, "Sakura, please step out of the way. I think his issue is with me."

"Damn straight it is!"

Sakura didn't move. He was going to hear her out. "Out of everyone, I was scared to tell you the most for the exact reason of how you are responding to me right now."

"How am I supposed to react to the news that you're fucking our teacher?!"

Oh, ow.

All the anger left Sakura's body in one blow. That hurt.

She blinked, blindsided by her hurt, trying not to cry. He said it as if she was no more than a harlot, disregarding everyone's feelings with her actions.

Naruto blinked too, as if he had suddenly just realized what he had said because of her reaction and looking remorseful.

In the dead silence that followed Naruto's outburst, Kakashi was the one who finally spoke first, "That's enough, Naruto." His voice was low, commanding, and edging on dangerous.

"Yes, that's enough," Mino said. He sounded angry too, but Sakura wasn't sure who he was angry at.

Sakura nodded slowly, trying to get her bearings. She didn't look at Naruto again. "Right. Okay." She turned around, eyesight blurred. She walked out without another word and felt Kakashi follow her. No one tried to stop them.

She found herself making her way to Kakashi's apartment since it is the closest.

She climbed the stairs in a daze and waited for him to unlock the door before they stepped inside.

She stood by the doorway after shutting the door while Kakashi went over to the couch and slumped onto it, rubbing his jaw gingerly. Sakura snapped out of her haze and hurried over. She knelt by his feet and reached up, "Here let me see—,"

Kakashi jerked his head out her hands. "No, Sakura, leave it."

"What do you mean? You're bleeding."

"I don't want you to heal it," Kakashi said, obviously harsher than he intended because once he saw Sakura's expression he softened his tone. "Are you all right?"

Sakura didn't answer, only stared into his charcoal eyes. Was he mad at her too? Because this was all sort of her fault.

She couldn't stand it anymore—couldn't hold in her tears anymore. Sakura saw that Kakashi guessed her intentions a split second before she actually made good on them. He made as if to stand—probably to stop her from leaving—but she darted to the door, threw it open, and dashed down the stairs before he could catch her.

She kept her tears at bay as she ran to the only place she could think of right then: Ino's. She didn't want to go back home in case Kakashi followed her there.

Once she was at the Yamanaka estate she ran through the front gates and knocked on the front door of the large building, hoping that Ino was at home, because she needed someone to hear her and offer their support. One of the house staff, Kiego, an elderly man, opened the door.

"Ah, Miss Sakura! Are you looking for Ino-San?"

He smiled good-naturedly at her, but Sakura did not trust herself to speak so she only nodded.

He didn't seem to notice anything off about her though, because he kept smiling and said, "She's in her room. I'm sure you don't need me to show you there, Miss Sakura, so I'll leave you to it."

Sakura nodded again and started her way through the house. She kept her pace fast because she didn't want to encounter anyone else's in the house and burst out in tears and therefore freak Ino's family out.

She found Ino in her room, lounging on her couch with a book held above her. She turned her head when she heard Sakura enter and smiled, "Forehead—"

Sakura promptly burst into tears, she couldn't hold them in anymore.

Ino's smile disappeared. "Sakura, what's—?"

"Ino, he hates me," Sakura's voice broke on the word. She couldn't see past her tears any more, so she only heard Ino jump to her feet and dash over to Sakura.

She felt a gentle touch on her arm as Ino guided her over to the couch and sat her down.

"Who hates you, Sakura? Kakashi?"

Sakura shook her head. "No Naruto. Ino, I told him about Kakashi and I, and he freaked." Sakura then told her everything that had happened at Mino's through shuddering breaths.

Ino, who had wrapped her arms around Sakura during her story, tightened her grip in anger when Sakura finished. "That fucking dickhead!"

Sakura sniffled against Ino's shoulder. She knew it shouldn't, but Ino calling Naruto names kind of made her feel better.

"Ino, I don't know what to do," Sakura admitted in a broken voice.

"What does Kakashi say?"

Sakura shrugged. "I didn't stay to talk to him, because I didn't want to cry in front of him. For all I know, he might be angry with me too."

"He better not be! There are no faults here, Sakura. Please get that through your head! You and Kakashi are two consenting adults who decided to start a relationship after years of friendship. Naruto is just over protective and a huge ass."

Somewhere in her mind, Sakura knew she was right, but she was just so confused and hurt right now. "I don't even know if we have that kind of relationship, Ino. We never said we were dating or anything more serious."

"Come on," Ino sighs. "Sakura, I have never seen you smile and laugh more than in the past couple of months and I know he's a big reason. I think you both know what you two have and it is a relationship and more. Tell me, does it break your heart to think that you might not be able to be with him again like you were before? And I don't just mean intimately, but as companions and equals."

Sakura doesn't want to think about that because it does, it does, and oh it hurts.

She had been happier the past few months and Kakashi was probably the biggest reason why, but also how she and her teammates, her family, were back together again. Now that was all shot to hell. Ever since he was young, Naruto had been prone to bursts of anger, fueled by the kyuubi, but she thought he had mostly grown out of that and learned how to control it more. Maybe she and Kakashi had just been too big of a shock. Or maybe he just needed to get over his stupid, idiotic sense of protection that he had over her.

She won't think about all that right now, though. She was bone tired and Ino's soothing fingers through her hair were making her droop even more.

"Thank you, Ino," Sakura said softly.

"No problem. How many times have you picked me up off the floor after a bad break-up? It's about time that I did it for you. I know we bicker a lot, but you know I love you right? You're my best friend."

Sakura started saying again.

"Oh shit, I didn't mean to make you start crying again."

Sakura didn't want to go back to her apartment that night, so Ino suggested she stay over. Like when they were younger—their rivalry forgotten for the night when it was really bad, like when Asuma had died—they shared the same bed and huddled together for comfort. Sakura was asleep in minutes.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Constructive and/or nice reviews are always welcome!

P.S.

Hello, Leomae2.0! Super happy that you're still excited about this story!