THANKS TO REVIEWERS!

Sorry for the wait! I'm so sorry! I don't know why you keep up with this fic when I take so long... sigh... it's just that school (university English) got hectic and family events over the holidays just took away my time. And I'm working 2 jobs! Ack!

And I just got a wisdom tooth extracted... which... yeah... Tylenol is my friend. XD

kureneko: yes. yukio is evil. he's going down. eventually.

tampoposensei: thanks for reviewing! i'm glad you're cool with the story - esp. the angst. and what's awesome is you like it even tho kakairu is your fav pairing... thanks again! it means alot to me!

dragonkittykyo: hi! long time no see! I'm glad you're still digging it. And yes, Naruto is a dumbass. As per usual... Hope you have a great year as well!

elleyfaery: sorry about the spelling issues... I've still not got a beta for this story... yeah... and i'm using wordpad right now... so... zip all spell-checking too. ANBU!Kakashi is the HOTTEST! and I want a plushie! I'm so totally gonna get one when I go the anime con in Toronto...

kokis: thanks alot! sometimes, i wonder where all that poetic ugliness comes from... (sweatdrops) it's eminem, i swear... (looks innocent) hahaa! I'm glad you're enjoying it - violence and all! hope you like this soothing installment!

luga-b-chan: a million thanks for taking the time to review and be your generally encouraging self! i'm glad you like my writing style... sometimes I struggle to get my point across... but, hey, practice makes perfect. and in reply to the german... Tausend dank! (i'm actually more dutch-ish, but hey...)

Jamieglasgow4: thanks for reviewing! yep. fillers ending feb 15th... i think... yeah... totally am looking forward to that... with anticipation. anything is better than what is happening now... altho it's nice that Bleach has moved on to the arrancar arc now... ahem... yes. as for kakashi god-modery. yes... i can be accused of that, I suppose. but... hopefully in this chapter, you'll see a weaker side!

gooby: here's the update! hope you enjoy! elmo, huh? wow... no... i don't have a racoon bedspread... but i want a kakashi one... I'm prolly gonna quilt me a kakashi quilt during the summer... (kakashidiot obsessing as usual walks away)

sokerfreek922: thanks for the obsessing! i'm honored! i hope you enjoy the newest chappie!

perscripto13: arigatou! I'm glad you're enjoying this. but warning you - this upcoming chappie is a definite change in pace! hahaha!

jenniferplague: thanks! i'm glad you like it! good work! it's hard to keep up a high pace for me, i tend to plod along and (eventually) get it done... hahaa! being a geek is cool. look at bill gates! (i'm a total nerd)

shadow dragon boss: i'm glad you enjoy the kick butt action. hope you enjoy the change in pace as well!

kakashiluveriam: wow! i'm honored that you put me before studying - i just hope you don't get too in trouble. i'm bad for that myself when it comes to bleach and naruto! hahaha! i'm glad the angst had impact. hope this helps you cheer up! (winks)

sabireru: glad you liked ANBU!Kakashi. he's awesome, yes. and yes, yukio is getting scarier. i hope he is... glad you picked up on that!

mary: who cares how Yukio feels? hmmm... no one... some people do... but... yeah... i'm trying to keep him 3 dimensional... so he's more complex. because i think love can get corrupted, don't you? thanks for the chat!

kakasakuluver: thanks for calling my story unique. i appreciate that. it makes my head swell up to disproportionate sizes! hahaha! (pops my head-balloon). yes, i'm glad you enjoyed the battle scenes - those i find the toughest - up there with writing Sasuke...

sweetassassin: read this chapter and weep. hope you enjoy the kakasaku-ness... as it stands, that is...

darkflameangel: must say that Ryuuki is the best! but also have this urge to write ryuuki with one of the guys... sadly... i'm not into writing incest, else i'd do a fic where he comes onto Seiran without knowing they were related... hmmm... maybe somebody would take that plot bunny off my hands and dispose of it. other pairings i'd want to do just for the heck of it would be ran/kouyuu, kou/reishin and ryuuki/kou... hahaha... the last one would be crack of course... death note is amazing - but i know i'm going to go into a deep depression when L dies... as for Ergo Proxy, I'm clipping it right now for an AMV. yep...

someonewithnothingbettertodo: wow! a new reviewer! and honest. well... as Jamieglasgow3 pointed out, there IS god-modery. blame my kakashi-obsessiveness, or the fact i write kakashi-centric fics on a regular basis. hmmm... and yes, i did kinda overemphasize his fight, but consider it this way: he's been missing for almost, what, 8 years? and so, naturally, i think, in naruto-verse (where ninjas don't necessarily behave like ninjas), they'd stop and watch. hmmm... and yes, i agree with you. he's shitty sensei. which i point out every now and then. of course in Revelation of the Wolf, Sakura tells him that he was the only one fit to take care of them, but as i copied the manga, I have her tell him that he "lacks enthusiasm" etc etc. and in White Fang, Lightning's Howl, he struggles with guilt over his lack of teaching skills. Especially concerning Sakura (b/c out of the 3, i think she's getting the least training from him, right?). As for his abilities, if you look at the Naruto info book, they have those hexagon things which show the coverage of the ninja's abilities. Kakashi is the ONLY one to have the entire thing balanced. Lee/Gai/Naruto tend to tai, Sasu/Saku/Ita tend to gen. etc etc. Basing my description on that, I'd say that he's got more abilities than he lets on - otherwise, he'd never have thought up that crazy ass training for Naruto in the more recent manga. Does this make sense to you? Well, at any rate, thanks for the comment and the subsequent chat. I don't feel offended at all, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story, yaoi non-con and all. thanks again! ja ne!

moiya hatake: will do! just not right now... yukio has a purpose... sadly... thanks for commenting!

lotisflower: yes, must say that yukio is very jealous to say the least. poor guy... he just can't compete...

rhianna midori: thanks! and a good new years to you too! sinterklaas rocks! hope you enjoy this chappie!

sakura hatake kakashisgrl: thanks again for reviewing! i'm glad you like it angst and all! hope you enjoy this more -romantic- chappie!

I do not own Naruto.

Warning: Angst, AND LOVE LOVE!!!

Chapter 30

Fall for You

It was late afternoon - the sun was quickly sinking behind the hills - it sank, slowly, disappearing - disappearing behind the mountains - and as Sakura followed her quarry, behind the valleys she traveled through. It sank, inevitable as time - time itself.

Time.

I need more time.

Well, thought the medic with a sigh. What I need is Kakashi's speed... but... he's using some sort of a speed jutsu... or... what...

Time. It'll only be a matter of time - I WILL catch up...

"Maybe we'll see each other, once in a while."

Her worry.

"Maybe."

"I heard you were training extra nowadays, too."

"Yes, well... I decided that I should become stronger as well... so that I'll be able to help you and Naruto bring back Sasuke."

Her smile.

"So. Even Naruto's attitude has affected you."

Her laughter.

"Shhh... It's a se-cr-et."

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"I'm - sorry."

A pause.

"I'm - sorry that - I - I couldn't -"

"No, that's fine. What better teacher could I have than Tsunade? If Naruto's being taught by Jiraiya and Sasuke by Orochimaru, I better be on the top of my form too! I like you, sensei, but your face is always one that is lacking in enthusiasm..."

Her forgiveness...

I like you, sensei...

Rin.

Sakura.

The peacemakers who had to endure so much pain. If not physically, then at least emotionally.

Sakura.

"You should come in, Kakashi-sensei... you of all people should be praised for today."

"I should have spent more time teaching you taijutsu - you got yourself beaten up pretty badly..."

"I'm remedying that on my own time. You should not feel guilty..."

Her encouragement.

"I really wanted you here tonight because I wanted to thank you. Even publicly."

"Eh?"

"You aren't a shinobi with a lot of enthusiasm in his face. You're always late and you really are a pervert, reading those books. But... when I was most down, your face reminded me of your words. That you believed in me... Those words - raised in me a fighting spirit."

"Fighting spirit."

"I guess you heard that before. Tsuande said that the Third talked about it a lot. How the shinobi of Konoha were a people of love - much more like passion - and this was the fuel for the fighting spirit."

"That's right."

"Those words - you recognized me. That made me feel happy. I didn't want to let anybody down. But I really didn't want to let my team down..."

Time. What WAS the time? Kakashi wondered idly as he sped along, trying to ignore the spreading burning sensation which crept up and sideways across his chest. How long have I been running? Half a day? Or more... Does it really matter?

Does all this really matter?

Thoughts racing unbidden through his mind, Kakashi could hardly focus on where he was going.

Going...

The word lodged there in his mind for a moment.

Where AM I going?

"Ahhh… Kashi-kun… you've had it easy since we've moved to the village permanently."

"Why did we have to move?"

"For you," said another voice – but softer and lighter.

For you.

"Guess what, Kashi-kun. For your birthday, we've got a surprise!"

"Supwise?"

"Hmmm…" a soft voice said. "A trip."

"Where are we goin'?"

"To the family farm!"

"We're visiting Uncle?"

"Yeah. It'll be fun!"

"Can I feed the chickens?"

"I'm not sure…"

"Moothhherrr!"

"Now, now… you just have to ask Uncle. Sakumo, stop laughing. Talk to him about it…"

"Hai, hai!"

"So when you call him a genius…"

"Yes. We can't ignore it anymore, Hanako. Kakashi is a gift as much as he is gifted. I don't want him to feel different…"

"Isn't that a given? He'll always be different – the clan needs somebody strong like him to carry this clan forward… And this little one…"

"Hanako, love, Kakashi is a gift… but he wouldn't be here if you hadn't… you're the blessing. You're my blessing…"

He could feel his father's arms coming around him, crushing him – to hide, to find some sort of resolution – to vent his grief in a bear hug. Kakashi hadn't understood.

"Truly, this is the best for our small family. If Kakashi is free to build himself and the Hatake a better name, it would fulfill my wishes and give me joy and fulfillment in the afterworld. Knowing he will do well is better than seeing all our hopes wither.

I hope he understands.

I love him so much."

"Where is she? Where's Mama?"

"K-kash – Kakashi… Mama – isn't going to be living here anymore… she's gone away on a long journey…"

"A mission?"

"No. Not a mission…"

"Did little brother stay with us?"

"No. He – he's gone to be with Mama. She can take better care of him anyway. Kakashi…"

"She'll come back, right? We can wait for her."

He could feel his father's arms coming around him, crushing him – to hide, to find some sort of resolution – to vent his grief in a bear hug. Kakashi hadn't understood.

If I hadn't made her run around so much. If I had picked up my bedroom like Papa told me too. If I hadn't left to play with Genma without telling her. If I had helped her carry the groceries home.

She wouldn't have been so tired and exhausted. She wouldn't have slipped and fell down the stairs. She wouldn't have bled to death.

Ryo would have lived. Papa would have been okay. He wouldn't have cried at night. He would have been strong on his missions.

All that. It was my fault.

I don't deserve…

Uncle.

It was too hard to comprehend. Too quick.

How could this have happened? How -

Uncle.

"Hey!"

"Sakumo! How have things been?"

"Great! Just great... Did you hear? Hanako and I - we are ot have nother child. Maybe a little brother for you to play with, eh, Kashi-kun? Or maybe you want a sister to protect?"

Kakashi stuck out his tongues.

"Girls are dumb! I wanna brother!"

Uncle laughed.

"Another genius, you said, Sakumo?"

Finally! A genius to revive the glory days of the Hatake!

Once upon a time, the Hatake clan were a great people.

Kakashi. Obito comes from a great clan but you come from a great man. Never ben ashamed of your name - Hatake Sakumo is a name associated with the Sannin for all time.

What makes a shinobi is not his jutsu but love, loyalty, courage and hard work. True power lies in you, Kakashi.

Father.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

And all those images - all those faces - all those words of hope and pride have burst foth like a dam, sweeping away his uncertainty -

Burying him in despair.

Father.

His last spurt of chakra flared - his sandalled foot lost traction -

Kakashi slipped.

Fell.

And laying there - winded - watched morosely - as grey clouds rolled over the sun.

Where do I go?

How fitting it is to rain...

Sakura sighed.

Damn him.

For being such a stubborn...

Grrrrrr...

"Where's he going?" she muttered to herself as she veered sharply to the right, following his erratic path. "At this pace, he's going to wear himself out... He's not even slowing down..."

How long is he going to last - before expends all of his chakra - before he - he -

Dies?

Thank goodness I took the time to build up my endurance. He's wounded - I should be able to catch up - there's no I'm going to let such a stupid tragedy win.

I hate that...

Stupid tragedies.

Stupid men.

Especially stupid men...

Taking careful note of her surroundings - sometimes pausing to climb a tree in order to gain some sort of geographical bearings, Sakura tried to orient herself. Even more troubling for the medic tracking her sensei was the lack of sunlight. As the sun sank taking warmth and light with it, Sakura could only shake her head.

I'm fine. I've not been battling like a mad man for hours...

It was the sight of familiar mountains that made her sigh with relief.

So we're in Fire Country now... he's heading for Konoha's direction... when I catch up with him - it'll be easy to get back up...

If I find an outpost...

Sakura sighed.

Let me find an outpost...

"Hmmm….. well…. My first impression of you guys…" Kakashi stared down, with a hard look at his Genin team. "is….. I hate you." Everybody looked gloomy.

Those times seemed so far away now.

Kakashi laid there - looking up at the grey clouds and the rain - the green leaves which provided some sort of cover over his head...

The fire of Leaf...

He flinched -

The thought - or was it the cold which hit his upper cheek? Or a tear?

So unnatural.

Reminds me of all those funerals - of a funeral that never happened. Another one that will never happen. Another name not on the stone. Another forgotten.

Kakashi's sigh caught in his throat as the burn in his side throbbed. The stab wound - untreated - protested. His whole body was complaining. Tired. Bruised. Abused. Spent to the max.

Sure I look cool fighting, the ANBU mused. But even us - even so, we're only human. How can we forget?

Raising his hand over his head, he watched the rain wash away the mud and the blood. His blood.

I better get to a medic before it gets infected. Probably already is... Could get serious if it isn't treated.

He felt so removed from it all.

Was it really him feeling the pain and the sweat?

He didn't move.

Just lay there.

Enjoying the cool on his feverish face - his pale skin now bared under the sky.

He closed his eyes.

Sakura was not a Jounin because of her pretty looks (whatever Tenten and Kotetsu thought). Besides her scary strength, medical know-how and amazing chakra control (and much more), Sakura had honed detection skills over the years of battle and missions. Useful especially on the battlefield - to distinguish between the wounded, the dying and the small rats and obnoxious buzzards who came to feed on the corpses.

All these talents, she though whimsically of the Sharingan and her skills, born in the face of death - for survival, for life.

It's sad.

Standing there among the trees, Sakura stretched out her senses, eyes closed. For a moment, the world lay in black and white. Silent now as the hush of the rain dimmed in the face of severe confrontation. Behind her, a red heartbeat inside a fox, creeping silntly underneath a hedge - stalking, stalking...

A bunch of red chakra flares - rabbits? Squirrels?

At any rate, something mammalian... Not Kakashi-sensei...

To her left... nothing...

To her right, nothing.

Sakura sighed.

Where is he? He can't possbily outstrip me! He's sick... for kami's sake! No doubt he's running a fever by now... damn...

Pushing her anxiety back, Sakura raced forward, keeping an eye out for his faint trail.

I just hope he doesn't try to go near the mountains... that'd make it worse...

"If you stop crashing around -"

"Stop moving around like that, idiot."

"What'd you call me?"
"Idiot, idiot."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT, SASUKE, YOU BASTARD! Sai, Tenzo... say something!"

"..."

"Ummm... as much as it pains me to admit... emo-boy is right..." Sai grinned.

Sasuke's dark eyes flashed.

"What. Did. You. Just. Say?"

"Emo-boy, emo-boy."

"What. Did. You. Just. Say?"

"Are you deaf? You know... you should get that problem checked out by the hags - or -"

"HAHAHAHA!!!! Sasuke can't take his own medicine!"

"But he's right, idiot," Sai said casually, as he peered at the ground (oblivious to Sasuke and Naruto's combined Death Glares). "It's already a pain - but it seems like the trail's been erased. You trampling all over what little clues we can get isn't going to help us catch up."

"Eh? The trail's been erased? Whatcha mean?" Naruto blinked.

Sasuke was banging his head against a tree trunk in desperation.

How can a ninja like Naruto be so clueless? He wondered for the umpteenth time. No wonder Tsunade-sama hasn't elected him to be a sensei yet...

"Naruto. It seems like someone doesn't want us to find Kakashi-san," Tenzo shrugged. "Perhaps his ANBU partner. Not Sakura, for sure..."

"I can't BELIEVE THAT GUY!" Naruto squawked with outraged, as he finally clued in. "Wait till I get my hands on him!"

"You go do that," Sasuke muttered. "Until then, get out of the way and let us figure it out..."

"It's pretty bad..." Yamato sighed. "Get out the map."

Naruto and Sai pulled out the map and stared at the black ink lines.

"How's this supposed to help us?" asked Naruto. "Are ya gonna close your eyes and point?"
"No, idiot. That'd be what you'd do," snorted Sasuke. "No. We're going to try to predict the direction they're going in - and try to catch up that way..."

"That's a real long shot though..." Sai shook his head. "There's a lot of wilderness out here..."

"Well..." Yamato shook his head. "We've been traveling fast. I think we're in Konoha right now..."

"Really?" Naruto looked around. "It's new to me..."

Sasuke and Yamato sighed. Sai stared at Naruto as he were a specimen.

"That's a new low," Sai grinned. "It's okay though... it seems we're heading toward the village - the way it's been angled..."

"You think so?" Sasuke peered at the line that Yamato was plotting. "I think it's just a bit to the left there..."

"What IS there?"

"Mountains - what eventually become the escarpment..."

"Escarpment?"

"Yeah, you know... the cliff with the faces on it?" Sasuke said as simply as he could. "That's the 'mountain' right? It's part of a long ridge of rock which eventually become mountains... see here..."

"So Kakashi-sensei is headed to our village."

"Sasuke says he's not aiming properly."

"Well... isn't he wounded?" Naruto flapped his hand. "Baka-sensei probably can't see straight."

"Hmmm... I'd say that too," Sasuke drew back. "Except there's one thing..."

"What?" His three companions leaned in to look again at the map - to find out what Sasuke found. "You know something?"
"That." Sasuke said in a dead-pan voice.

It was a round circle. Really small. A dot.

"Aoi Ta-ishishi?"

"Never heard of it," Sai muttered.

"You wouldn't. It's small," Yamato pointed out. "I never heard of it."

"It's Kakashi's hometown."

"Where..." Naruto's face brightened. "Where that bastard Minoru came from!" Then his face sobered with realization. "It's where his Mum died, isn't it? Sasuke... this is bad... we've gotta stop him! What if -"

Sasuke nodded.

"Let's go then..."

Kakashi... I'm sorry - I have to go. You must understand.

It was her voice - full of unsaid emotion. Love he had never been ready for. Pain he tried to ignore. Fear and anxiety. Just hearing it - as if she were there again - bending over him as he lay there numb with a broken arm, a few cracked ribs and a sprained ankle - now in splints.

He had wanted to stop her. Stop him - Sensei. It was madness.

All of this is madness, Kakashi thought in agreement. Useless sacrifices... mistaken actions... and this... I really should get out of the rain...

The grey-haired ANBU staggered to his feet, unsure of where to go next.

Damn... I've got no clue...

For a moment, he contemplated climbing the large tall tree beside him - but his lack of chakra and shaky legs were a real deterrent.

Okay... maybe not... If I take a couple of deep breaths - I might be able to at least find some sort of chakra signature from a town nearby... if there's a town nearby... Huh... It'd be seriously funny if I died out here from exposure... I'd never hear the end of it from -

Tsunade... no, Sakura. Especially Sakura. Yes.

She'd go to hell after me to kill me again with her bare hands.

The thought made him smile. Shutting his eyes, he tried to concentrate with what little strength he had left. Sure enough to the right, withing a couple of miles lay a small town...

Saved.

Three hours later, Sakura stopped for a quick snack on a rice ball and for a quick drink of (now cold) green tea from her pack. She contemplated a chakra pill but then put the bottle away.

I'm still good. But... it seems like he's getting sloppier... he's gotta really be out of it now. And the tracks are fresher... so... I'm catching up... And about time too...

Three miles onward, the medic's green eyes widened at the smell of blood mixed in with the damp rain. Sure enough, five minutes later, she found a small patch of blood mixed in with mud and grass below and especially large tree.

Kakashi-sensei. He was here... And... he's...

DAMN HIM! Screeched Inner Sakura. IF HE DIES ON ME - I'M GOING TO FOLLOW HIM TO HELL AND KICK HIS ASS!

Or something like that, she sighed. All it means is that I've got to hurry. I've got no time to lose...

Time.

That funny thing. Immeasurable, really. And yet, harnassed by the clock's hands as it ticks along, run by uncaring cogs...

It only seemed yesterday that he'd watched his dad say goodbye for the day - and he'd been there, holding his mother's hand, waving goodbye and promising to be a good boy and help his mother.

It only seemed yesterday that Obito was dying - only yesterday, that the fox demon rampaged through the country -

Where's time gone?

Time.

It was hard to grasp the concept.

Damn hard to grasp any concept, Kakashi thought fuzzily - before that thought slipped away from his fingers. He tried to hold it.

Concept. No... Time... No...

And when he fell on his face, falling down a small hill and under a rickety lookout post, Kakashi wondered.

I need more time. I regret...

I wish could tell her - Sakura - tell her -

The thought slipped away.

He closed his eyes.

Sakura burst out of the forest - and found herself on an open plateau - a lower edge of the mountains. There she should on the small hill, looking across - and below her feet, lay a small town, bustling - full of life. Beside her, on either side - rising behind her and below her, above the town, rice paddies lay. Long, silent, empty - it was dusk once again... And...

Set apart from the town, further up the mountain, isolated by the paddies - lay a large mansion with several out buildings. It was beautiful - made out of wood and stone, with neat tiles for the pointing roof and the sheds. The porch was wide and welcoming, the doors heavily ornate. With familiar symbols.

Majestic looking... lions?

No... It's...

It caught her breath.

So this is... Kakashi's... Kakashi?

Panicking, she noticed, that not only had the trail stopped - but that the sun was once again setting - and -

"KAKASHI!" She screamed. "KAKASHI! DAMN YOU! WHERE ARE YOU!"

Her senses picked up chickens, pigs, cows of some sort... other livestock... but...

Then something weak... somewhere near the house...

Sakura ran.

"KAKASHI!"

To the still, black and white clad figure laying inert on the mud and grass.

Kakashi!

It was that voice. Calling him again.

Rin?

No.

His mouth curled up in a weak grin.

"Sakura..."

"You idiot..."

Sakura scooped him up in a big bear hug, ignoring the dampness, the chill and the boneyness of her sensei.

"You idiot..." She repeated, trying not to babble. "You frightened me."

"I'm fine," he said breathlessly, his weak breath stirring against her ear. "Just... need to sleep..."

Sakura didn't know what to do - either laugh, cry or go insane.

After a few moments, she drew back - and then, paused.

Kakashi sighed.

"I didn't -"

His soft voice clashed with her hurried, "Sorry!" as she turned her eyes away.

"I didn't notice," she said, after a long, awkward pause. She peeked again at her sensei's exposed face. "I was more worried -"

"It's okay," Kakashi said.

She knew it wasn't - but...

"It's because of your dad, isn't it?"

"Suddenly..." Kakashi laid back, turning away. "I'm not feeling so good."

Sakura sighed.

"I think you look..." She tried to think of something appropriate.

"You don't have to pretend," he said, bluntly.

A pink eyebrow rose.

"Well, no..." The medic smirked. "I was going to say, 'sexy'... but..."

Another worth-a-thousand-words silence.

Kakashi's ear and cheeks turned a slight pink.

"And you look cuter when you blush... No wonder you wear a mask..."

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Kakashi frowned. "Glad you approve..."

"Hmmm... I'm serious."

Kakashi froze.

"Naruto and Sasuke and I thought maybe you had fish lips... or buck teeth... or... something really... never mind... let's go."

Helping her sensei along, Sakura managed to reach the house before Kakashi passed out again. He collapsed onto the bed and blacked out almost immediately. She could only shake her head - but a part of her felt encouraged.

He's relaxed enough around me to trust me. He trusts me. He even...

Well... it's not like he WANTED you to see his face. But...

He trusts me.

With those thoughts, she prepared her medical supplies, hot water and methodically stripped him down to his underwear, gave him a light sponge bath and bandaged him up. Once he was tucked in, she laid her hands on him, gently inserting her healing chakra into his tired body and the totally messed up chakra paths.

There's an infection, but I think I can head it off... As long as there's no interruption or anything... But... worst case, this should hold him until we get to Konoha... but then... I could find somebody to send a message to Konoha. I'm sure that would work just as well...

The pink haired medic withdrew her hands and sat back, cricking her neck, suddenly feeling very tired.

It's crazy. How much can happen in so short of a time. Wasn't it two days ago we were fighting in Rock and then... here we are... in a house... in HIS house... Minoru-san - no - Kakashi-sensei's house! It's just... crazy... how big it is. And luxurious...

The medic, eying the silk bedsheets and hangings - the tapestries and the rugs...

Rich... wealthy... whatever you call it...

She found a nice thick mattress and dragged it into the master bedroom to lie down beside Kakashi's bed.

It's easier to keep an eye on him this way. Just in case. Nothing to do with the fact that -

Her eyes once again traced over his familiar - not so familiar face. She bent over him, to examine him one last time and paused. Reaching down, she brushed back his grey hair.

"Sa...kkuuu..."

He mumbled, pressed into her hand unconsciously and then smiled.

The pink-haired medic froze - entranced.

He smiled.

He smiled at me.

Well... he was sleeping but...

THIS IS LOVE!!!!! DAMN IT! HE'S MINE!!!! Inner Sakura was yelling. IT'S FATE!

It only seemed natural then, to lean down.

You're crazy, Sakura, the more sensible her pointed out.

It only seemed natural to lean down and find his lips with hers - there, in the dark. It was sweet. The kiss tasted of package udon which she had cooked up in the kitchen a couple of hours earlier. It was nice.

It's real. This is real. And yet... so unreal... It's strange. Well... weird. That it seems so unfamiliar - but... I still know it so well...

She wanted it to last forever. But she did have to breathe. And then there was him. He might wake up.

You're a necrophiliac or something? Sensible Sakura asked.

No. Just...

Sakura didn't know what to think. Watching the shadows of the cherry trees in the garden move over the door, the girl sighed.

Why was I so worried? I felt... I felt... I just couldn't lose him. I just couldn't let him go...

With those (rather obsessive) thoughts, Sakura fell asleep, smiling as she dreamed about the well-chiseled nose, firm chin, high cheekbones and oh-so-kissable lips.

Yes.

Those lips.

Those lips are mine.

Next episode:

If only things could be simpler. But they can't. Because reality is... reality. And life goes on, inexorably. And there are lost people (Naruto and Co.) - and there are... Sakura edged away from Yukio. And then, there are the just-crazy ones.

But nothing is going to stop me - I will protect him! More so, from himself!