AN: I love your reviews. Thank you all. I would give you hugs, but that would be a little awkward no? So I'll hug the computer screen instead. Mwahahahaha!! I'm kidding, really though, I'm grateful.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 12: Abandon

"What are you planning Kakashi?" Jiraya questioned his friend with a raised eyebrow. The jounin shrugged nonchalantly. "Uh… huh, yeah that helps a lot." Jiraya's eye began traveling along the streets of the village. Young female teenagers were aligned along the streets. A lot of them looked like they were about to cry. He decided to try and comfort them, but unfortunately, Kakashi held him back. "Hey! Ak! Kakashi, let go, those poor women are in need of some attention." The ninja's grip became stronger. "Alright, alright, I give up." Though, his eyes kept wandering. "Why are there so many girls out here, and crying…?"

Kakashi allowed his eye to travel around slightly. He grinned. The young ladies were muttering something about "Sasuke-kun." His eye widened slightly when he heard, "Sakura and bitch" all in one phrase. Since when did these girls develop such a mouth? He was slightly confused. What happened between the two when he left anyway? He didn't think leaving the two of them alone would cause such a weird situation. Perhaps it was his fault these girls were weeping their eyes out at the moment. Still, he decided to ignore the situation.

It was true, he sent Sasuke to check on Sakura, hoping something would happen between them, he just didn't expect him to spot her naked and getting out of the shower. Then he left the two alone to walk to the ramen bar, again hoping they would do something. Unfortunately, he didn't plan Sasuke's fan club to come and chase after the guy. So what exactly did they do anyway? He sighed.

"Kakashi…" Jiraya murmured. "Seriously, what are you up to?"

"I want Sasuke to open up a bit more." He said casually. The older man regarded him strangely.

"Why… there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the boy. I think he has made progress, why are you pushing it. Especially with, of all people, Sakura…?"

The jounin shrugged, "He cares for her."

"And you're going to meddle into their relationship? A little blunt, don't you think? That's… not the real reason is it…?" Jiraya placed a hand under his chin.

Kakashi shook his head, "Sakura was one of my students, and she wasn't all that strong. She used to chase after Sasuke like all the other lovesick puppies in this town, but for the past two years her attitude toward him changed. She's more mature… she has gotten stronger and she's basically over him, but her training is just too far intense. Just maybe, if she can fall for Sasuke again like she did before, she will stop her training and chase him around again. Perhaps then, she won't over work herself and we can get back to normal again. Even if it annoys Sasuke to death, he cares enough for her to tolerate it."

"Good plan… but seriously Kakashi, is it worth it? I mean… it sounds a little… iffy."

"It has flaws, but she's starting to fall for him again."

"How do you know that?" Kakashi remained silent. "You do know she's training for a reason right?"

"To get stronger…?"

Jiraya raised his eyebrow. "You've forgotten all about her seals haven't you? They aren't normal Kakashi. Though you've never met him, Sakura's father was a great ninja. He was quite powerful, and it was because of those seals, that he was so strong."

"No I didn't forget… What's your point…?" Kakashi glanced at him.

"Do you know how he died?" Kakashi's eye dulled. "It's not your concern, I get it, but it will be as soon as you find out what they do." Jiraya went on to explain Sakura's current situation as the two of them walked toward the training spot. After all that they made it, with Kakashi looking a little ghastly.

"And you know this… how?" he asked.

"Haruno Enki and me go way back. We fought together in some missions, and such-…" As the two arrived, all of their students glanced at them with bizarre gazes.

"You're late." Naruto muttered.

"Jiraya was-…" Kakashi began.

"Oh no, don't you blame it on me." Jiraya muttered and smiled, "We got lost."

The students stared at them blankly and sighed. Kakashi's eye remained on Sakura the entire time. He felt a little awkward for the moment. If he knew she was in this position, he would've allowed her to train with them a lot sooner. He was a little surprised that everyone knew accept him. It looked like his plans for Sasuke and Sakura were canceled.

No wonder Sasuke and Naruto were treating her a little more delicate than before, but judging from what Jiraya told him. Sakura wasn't fragile at all, just physically weak. To him, it seemed like she needed to train and prepare herself mentally rather than physically. Besides, he hasn't forgotten about the people after her, although it seems as though the others have. It would be more dangerous if she trained out in the open like this… so who could train her mentally as well as physically…? Only one person came to his mind…

"Alright! Finally! It took you two long enough." Naruto rolled up his sleeves. "Sasuke! You better be ready this time! I'm going to kick your ass." The other boy smirked.

"Don't over do it, Naruto, Sasuke." Kakashi said waving to them. Hinata and Sakura sat down near a tree to watch the two. They began their training.

It was like this for a while, when Naruto issued a challenge to Sasuke. They both began fighting, but Kakashi and Jiraya, seeing a lot of opportunity in this form of training decided to let them do this more as a regular exercise.

Naruto was knocked onto the ground and sputtered a little bit.

"Stupid Sasuke…" He got up glaring at him. Hinata giggled a bit.

"You can do it Naruto-kun!" Hinata said in a timid voice. Naruto stiffened a bit, and gave her a smile.

"You're going to pay Sasuke-kun!" Naruto mocked. Sasuke seemed unaffected by the comment. Instead he smirked slightly and threw a kunai at him. Naruto jumped into the air and threw shuriken at Sasuke, who dodged the flying metal.

Sakura giggled slightly, "Go Sasuke-kun!"

The two guys were still at it attacking each other and it seemed the fight was going nowhere. Hinata and Sakura were still cheering the two on though. After a long while, and a shortage of chakra, the two finally looked like they were slowing. "Is this how it always is… Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked dully. She had given up cheering a while back. The instructor nodded and scratched the back of his head nervously. "How do you two have enough patience to stand around for that long and watch the two of them?" Sakura peered around, noticing that Jiraya was gone. "Never mind, where is that old hermit anyway?"

Naruto and Sasuke landed beside the two girls panting. "I swear, Sasuke, I had you."

"Hmph, you wish." He muttered. Naruto glared at him.

"Oh yeah?" Sasuke gave him a curious glance. His eyes widened slightly. 'Oh shit!' Sasuke had no time to react as one of Naruto's clones appeared behind him and held him in a lock. Naruto leapt up and punch Sasuke right across the face, but his hand landed on something hard and splintery, yep, not Sasuke. A block of wood appeared, smeared with some of Naruto's blood from the hard punch.

"Jeez Naruto." Sakura muttered. "Trying to kill him or something?" Sasuke landed beside her.

"As if he could." Sasuke smirked.

"Ohh… haha, Sasuke is that a challenge?" Naruto grinned.

"Well," Kakashi waved his hands dismissingly. "I think that was enough for one day." Both Naruto and Sasuke glared at their instructor. He smiled under his mask. "It's getting late you two. The both of you dragged the training session on a little longer that usual." Their glares remained.

"Oh come on Kakashi-sensei..." Naruto murmered, "I can still go some more-..."

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered, interrupting the intense moment. "Do… you think you could walk me home?" Naruto gave her a surprised look. She twittled her thumbs.

"Uh… sure. I guess…" He felt a little awkward thought, what if he encountered Neji again? He wasn't entirely sure if Hinata snuck out, and if she did, how did she get past Neji… Still, if Hinata was here, that must mean she got past her cousin right? Nothing could go wrong. He kept convincing himself. She smiled and approached him. "Well, I guess killing Sasuke is held off for the moment." Sasuke smirked slightly. He waved good-bye and walked along side Hinata.

Sasuke snarled. He just lost a good opportunity. "Sakura." He heard Kakashi say as he approached the pink haired girl. Sasuke's eyes stayed glued on the jounin.

"Kakashi-sensei?" she asked curiously.

"Sakura… about your training… I think I've found a solution."

"Really?! You mean, you'll let me train with you guys again?!" Her eyes brightened inconsiderably.

"No." Her face darkened. "You're going to train with Tsunade."

"What?!" Sakura, and surprisingly Sasuke asked at the same time. Suddenly, Jiraya appeared from behind some bushes holding a large telescope, a slight tint of red on his cheeks. Sasuke and Sakura were still in shock and Kakashi's face remained dull and emotionless. Jiraya looked at the trio with a questioning look. "Did… I miss something?"

TBC…

AN: Alright, this is the last update until school ends. It's finals week, and yep, I'm going to cram my head into textbooks and begin the study fest, so… yes, I hope you all were ok with this chapter. I would add some things here and there, and personally, I think it could be better, but ah well; I'm in a rush to get this chapter out before its too late...

By the way, I have a new fic out called Drowning In Blood. A vampire fic… If you wish... check that one out too. -ahem- Please? O.o