Chapter 11: Unfaithful

After Sasuke had left, Sakura decided to go for a walk and perhaps try to distract herself from thinking about her husband. She didn't mind the rain, though she borrowed a coat from Kakashi and left his house anyway; she just needed a few minutes alone to make up her mind.

It would be best if she came to a decision before Sasuke could catch her alone. She knew she couldn't stay at Kakashi's place forever. This whole situation had to be resolved soon. So, as Sakura walked through the village aimlessly, eventually she passed the main entrance and left Konoha. She didn't plan on going far, but she wanted to make sure she wouldn't be disturbed. Perhaps if she hadn't been so deep in thought, she might have noticed someone was following her, but she was too lost in her ponderings to notice. It was none other than Sasuke.

She approached the river that ran near the village. The bank along the river was steep and mostly covered with large trees or bushes that blocked any entrance to the waters below. However, Sakura found a place where she could look down to the water anyway.

Lost in thoughts she picked up a stone and threw it into the water. The rain had grown stronger but she didn't care. She was worried and confused about the recent happenings. So many conflicting emotions were running through her head. She was angry at Sasuke, but even more so at herself. She had known what to expect when she had agreed to marry him. He had never lied to her or pretended to be a loving husband or even like her in any way. She was angry at herself for still having these feelings for him and for still wanting to help him.

With a yell she threw another stone into the shallow water. "You idiot, Sasuke!" she yelled into the night, her voice echoing back at her. "You emotionless, stupid idiot!"  Still the woman didn't notice that he was watching her from only a few hundred meters away. Blinded by anger she pulled her wedding ring from her finger and squeezed it in her fist. "Why did I marry you? Why did you propose for me if you didn't love me? WHY?!" She raised her arm, prepared to throw the small object into the water. She had only married him because of her promise. He had tricked her from the very beginning. She didn't have to put up with this any longer. She wouldn't. Kakashi was right.

But Sakura didn't finish the movement. Her courage left her and she dropped her hand to her side. Staring down at the unimposing ring in her hand the kunoichi sighed. "But…… you still mean a lot to me, Sasuke," she whispered, in a barely audible way.

However, as she attempted to put the ring back on, somehow it slipped through her wet fingers and fell into the mud. Sakura cried out and jumped after the metal band without giving it a second thought. This ring was precious. It was a symbol of what still connected her and Sasuke. She couldn't, wouldn't lose it. Not yet. Her feet slipped on the muddy ground and she fell down the riverbank right into the cold water.

With an angry scream she stood back up and waded back to the bank. She tried to step out of the water but the mud was too slippery and she immediately fell back.

The person hiding in the shadows attempted to come over to help her when suddenly someone else appeared from the darkness. "Hello? Is anyone there? I've heard someone screaming and…"

"Kakashi?" she yelled in relief. "Help me… I can't get back up there!"

"There you are, Sakura!" she heard him say. He climbed the steep bank swiftly, placed his arm around her waist and pulled her out of the water. Sasuke was still watching the two of them. He had wanted to help his wife, but now Kakashi was there. Sasuke remained silent, watching the two from where he hid.

"Kakashi," Sakura exclaimed, "I'm so…. so glad you're here. My… my fingers feel like ice from that damned cold water."

"I was looking for you," he confessed. "I thought maybe you met Sasuke and you two were fighting again. But… what the hell are you doing here?"

"My god, the ring!", she screamed and attempted to jump back into the mud to look for it. "I lost my wedding ring! I have to…"

"Sakura!", Kakashi said sternly. "Not now, you won't find it in this darkness. We'll come look for it tomorrow, okay?"

"But what if it gets carried away by the water?", she protested. "I have to find it!"

His eyes changed. Suddenly he almost looked at her with sympathy. "Be reasonable, Sakura. I promise you'll get it back. Tomorrow. Come on, I'll bring you home." He stepped forward but Sakura didn't move. "Sakura? What's wrong?"

"I-I don't… know… what should I do?" She wiped her face in frustration when the tears fell freely. She wasn't used to cry any more. But what surprised her even more was Kakashi who pulled her into a tight embrace. He was not the type to comfort crying girls.

For a few minutes they just stood there and Sakura cried, while Kakashi waited patiently for her to calm down somewhat. Eventually she let go and took a step back. He was covered in mud wherever she had touched him. Sakura muttered, "I'm sorry… I got you all dirty."

He inspected his dirty clothes and with a masked grin he looked back at her. He chuckled softly. "Don't kill me now, but this really does remind me of a chapter of Icha Icha Paradise." He laughed beneath his mask and somehow, it was contagious. At first she grinned, then she joined in and they both laughed there together in the darkness. It felt so good to laugh so hard that tears were streaming down her face.

When she had finally regained her composure, Kakashi took her hand and said, "It's getting cold. Let's go home."

Not far away, hidden behind the trees, there was Sasuke who had observed the whole scene. He'd wanted to talk to her but after Kakashi had showed up his courage had left him. When they were both out of sight he went over to where they had stood and - much more skillful than Kakashi or Sakura – he climbed down in search of the ring.

Back at the apartment Kakashi and Sakura were seated on the couch. After a hot shower, Sakura was finally warming up and feeling clean once again. Kakashi had taken a shower as well and just returned. His hair was still wet and she realized why his silver hair always seemed a little messy. Obviously he didn't even use a comb. She had to suppress a grin when she looked at him without his forehead protector but still wearing that mask.

Immediately he noticed her amusement. "I'm glad to see you smile."

"That's thanks to you. You made me laugh out there and it felt so good… I haven't had such a good laugh in what seems like an eternity."

This brought them back to the topic she had been trying to avoid -- Sasuke. Now serious, once again Kakashi inquired, "Have you thought about what you're going to do about Sasuke?"

She shook her head no. It was good to have someone to talk to, but in the end, she was the one who had to make this decision.

"He doesn't deserve you," Kakashi said, breaking the silence, and she stared at him in awe.

"Kakashi…."

Was it just her or was he sitting a little closer to her all of a sudden? "Don't torment yourself any more. He won't change. There are men who'd treat you a lot better if only given the chance." She had never heard him say such nice and caring things. Something about his eyes made her shiver. For the first time in months she felt… wanted. Desired.

He looked into her eyes and without thinking she raised her arm and placed two fingers on his mask. "May I…?", she asked softly and he just nodded. Slowly she pulled down the mask and for the first time she could see her former teacher's face. She swallowed. He was handsome, very much so. His face was as beautiful as Sasuke's, only that he didn't have the same bitter look, instead a grin was playing on his lips. It was strange, but with this impish grin, he looked almost younger than Sasuke. It was almost as if he was the teenager, and Sasuke was the adult who had gone through so much in his life.

Her heart was beating so fast as she eyed him and then he leaned forward until their faces were only inches apart and she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips. He placed a strong hand on her cheek and kissed her tenderly. And she let him. This kiss was so different from Sasuke's kisses. It was careful and tender and yet filled with passion and desire. It was incredible. So this was how a real kiss felt. His fingers played with her long hair and there was only affection in his caress.

"Sakura!!" The door was pushed open and then Sasuke was standing in the room. And before his eyes, he saw his ex-teacher was kissing his wife. Abruptly they broke apart, but he had seen it.

Sakura stared at him with wide eyes. "Sasuke… kun…", she stammered. What was he doing here? How…?

"Sasuke," Kakashi said calmly, "I just wanted…"

"Believe me, I know very well what you wanted," Sasuke said icily. He grabbed Sakura by the wrist. "Excuse us. I need to talk to my wife." He pulled her onto her feet roughly.

Sakura was too surprised to resist and just followed him when he pulled her out of Kakashi's apartment. "Sasuke-kun, this kiss, it meant nothing, I just…"

He turned his head to throw her an icy glanceas he puller her along. "I don't care."

Immediately she fell silent. Of course. He didn't care about what she did, even when she kissed someone else. He never cared, right? But then why was he so angry?

Without letting go of her he dragged her to his apartment and he didn't release her until he had closed the door behind them. The girl rubbed her wrist and gathered her courage to look at him. She was almost curious as to what he was going to do now.

…tbc…

Sorry for taking so long. I hate this chapter, cause some parts of it were really hard to translate. I DESPERATELY need a good beta-reader who can do more than correct spelling mistakes... I need someone who takes this... weird translation of mine and turns it into fine english... GAAH!