A/N: What is the best partner to writing a fanfic? Wine, I tell you. Wine, wine, and more wine. Apart from that, anyone interested in being my beta-reader? I would like someone who could respond with corrections/suggestions within 24 hours of me finishing the chapter, has a good sense of humor, and likes long walks on the beach!

Sakura woke with the morning sun glaring through the window. There was something about this particular amount of sunlight that caused a searing pain to shoot through her head. The uncomfortable feeling didn't stop there, either. As quickly as possible it ran throughout her body and settled in her stomach, causing her to groan out loud from the nausea inflicted upon her.

It took a few moments for her thoughts to become conscious and the first thing she noticed was that she was lying above the covers on her hotel room bed - completely naked. The rush of memories she expected to flood back into her mind never came. She closed her eyes once more to shield herself from the pain of light and then groped around for the edge of a blanket to pull over her exposed body.

The memories were fuzzy and came to her in bits and pieces. Even though it made her stomach uneasy to think so hard when trying to recall the previous nights events, she did.

Drinking, those silver strands of hair, the bartender...

That much was clear to her. There was one other feeling that she couldn't seem to place with any of the situations she recalled.

Warmth, soft, complete...

The thought brought butterflies to her previously complaining stomach. That feeling was familiar - it was the same sensation that Kakashi made run through her on more than one occasion throughout this mission.

In sudden realization, Sakura bolted up to a sitting position, throwing the blanket to her lap. She remembered.

That kiss.

His face.

The desire.

Oh god, but what exactly happened? In her mind it was a blur of touches and whispers. Sakura found that even though this was unexpected, it wasn't unpleasant. The question of what all actually happened between them was fresh on her mind. Blood began to rush to her cheeks the more she thought of the possibilities.

It shouldn't have happened, whatever it was that actually did happen. She had this sinking feeling that she had played right in his trap. To add to it all, she didn't know which bothered her more - the fact that he may have seduced her or the fact that even if he did, she didn't care. She had enjoyed it..at least she figured she had.

Weren't they supposed to leave this morning? Glancing at the clock Sakura noticed it was already 9am. And where exactly was the man she had so indulged in last night? There was no sign of him. Surely he hadn't returned to his room and left her to sleep alone. Suddenly she realized that what had happened between her and Sasuke weeks before had completely been wiped away with feelings for Kakashi and she smiled.

Sakura looked around her room and noticed that the clothes she had worn the night before were neatly folded and laid a top the table in the corner of her room. That certainly wasn't her doing. On her night stand was a half filled glass of water with three small white pills laying beside it. So, Kakashi had stayed here over the night after all, and he fully expected her to feel like shit in the morning. In the end he really was a smart man.

Sakura reached over to the night stand and threw her head back as she popped the pills into her dry mouth and chased them with room temperature water. It didn't settle well on her stomach but she had enough control to fight the reflexes of nausea. She was hoping that at least the water would wash the horrid stale taste that invaded her senses but it wasn't near enough.

After standing, Sakura made her way to her limited wardrobe and decided to wear her usual training dress, but the one with sleeves. Surely there must still be an enormous amount of snow outside. She made a note to hop over to Kakashi's room and steal one of his pullover shirts for extra warmth.

Sakura was expecting to see the previous nights makeup smeared all over her face when she rose up to look in the mirror. It might have actually been like that, but it wasn't at all what caught her eye when she spotted her reflection.

There, falling so lightly above her bare breasts was the crystal snowflake necklace...which was one thing she distinctly remembered not wearing to the bar last night.

He had found it, and placed it around her neck as she slept. What did that mean? It may have been a simple act but to Sakura it seemed immensely intimate.

"I really have to think..." She mumbled to herself while many thoughts ran through her confused and pained mind. There were too many gestures made by Kakashi that caused the events of last night to mean more than they should have.

Sakura stood there, in the midst of the flurries of snow falling on her rough but pale skin. No matter how much she trained in the daylight, her skin would never darken. It was ok, she didn't mind. He had told her she looked like a porcelain doll.

When you looked at a porcelain doll it had this effect over you…you would do anything just to be able to reach out and touch the smooth porcelain frame. The feeling of it is was a contradiction in itself, soft as silk and hard as glass. Porcelain dolls broke with so much as the wrong direction in touch. When broken, they could never be repaired without the harsh scars showing…making them appear as a piece of broken hope and lost beauty.

This place was beautiful, like that unbroken porcelain doll. The snow covered the ground and as she walked forward her feet left soft footprints that followed her to her destination. It was the spot in which they had trained earlier in the week. The sky was gray, but not a sullen one. In the distance there was a sign of the sun beginning to break through. It was the type of day that made you realize what beauty the world had.

As she moved forward she noticed a figure on a rock a short distance from where she was. Someone other than them knew of this place, she wasn't so surprised. It had been here for so long and for her to be the first one to come upon it seemed unlikely. She decided she would not disturb them, and instead continued to walk past, purposely stealthing her steps so she would not alert them.

Something was familiar, though. She stared at the figure as the snow rested upon it and decided to take a few steps closer just so she could make out the face.

Kakashi…

He was sitting there in front of her without even a clue of her presence. She decided to stay after all, just to watch him. She knew he would probably recognize her presence after a while, but she would deal with that later. She didn't even know how he would react.

It was too difficult to spot detail from this distance but Sakura could tell that he wasn't wearing the headband that usually covered his sharingan. In her mind she could imagine his sharingan staring out over the snow in deep thought. She wondered what the man in front of her was thinking. The jounin vest that he usually adorned was not there either, allowing her to make out his form more easily.

Bare strips of black could be seen under the snow as it dusted his body. It was apparent that he had not moved in a while. He sat there, completely still, staring…

What is he thinking of?

Looking at him there made her feel ecstatic but depressed…right but wrong…she was confused and the feeling it gave her she hated. She loved it too. Her mind would not think logically with this feeling, yet she could not imagine living without it there. It was as if she could burst, she didn't know how she would stay alive with such intensity.

What are you doing to me…Kakashi…

She had moved her gaze up to the sky, watching the snowflakes fall down to the cold ground beneath her. She did not notice that the figure vanished from the rock before her.

Suddenly, Sakura felt warmth at her neck and a firm hand was rested on her shoulder. It shocked her, jumping in reaction to the touch. She readied her body to turn and look at the man who had grabbed her, but she was stopped.

"Don't turn around." Kakashi's voice whispered softly into her ear.

"Kakashi…"

Each snowflake that hit her body was like a new sensation she had never felt before. His touch magnified her existence in the moment.

Unexpectedly Kakashi wrapped both arms around Sakura's chest and pulled her backwards into him, squeezing tightly to her warmth. Sakura drew her breath in sharply…she felt as if she would faint. It was overpowering her…she lacked the concentration to even see so she shut her eyes. Her arms rose from her side to place her hands on his as he held her from behind.

She could feel his warm breath tickle her ear, another feeling she couldn't concentrate on as it caused to many reactions from her body.

"Never change, Sakura…never change this." He pulled her in even closer, feeling her chest rise against his arms as her breath quickened at his request. He could not see her face but her eyes had opened quickly in surprise.

As soon as he had arrived at his place behind her, he left. Sakura quickly turned around at the loss of his presence. There was nothing where he stood but two footprints, it was empty. Her eyes scanned the entire area and she felt no other human presence. Unable to remain standing, she fell into the snow. The soft snow felt like ice as her knees pressed into it, but she didn't notice. This feeling…this feeling helped her to ignore all pain. Be it lust or desire, it was still a welcome thought.

It was purely physical. Well, maybe it was and maybe it wasn't but either way it sure as hell was supposed to be.

One thing was for certain and that was the fact that her emotions were getting the best of her and she wasn't paying proper attention to the mission when it should have been her primary concern. Then again, neither was Kakashi...the man was nowhere to be found after he vanished in the snow earlier.

She had settled in the lobby of the hotel in front of the fire with her bag packed and resting beside her. The crystal necklace made sporadic patterns on the wall as she toyed with it in her hands. The hotel room key had been handed in and she had only to wait on her partner, who was still nowhere to be found.

He better not start this again...I was actually enjoying his punctuality for once.

Nearly an hour had passed before Kakashi graced the young woman with his presence. His bags were packed and quickly he laid the key in front of the clerk and tossed him some bills. He obviously didn't care if he overpaid, since it wasn't his money.

Sakura had never seen him access the room through this lobby...and then with second thought she realized that the great Copy Ninja Kakashi probably had numerous ways to return to his hotel room.

With a smile that was evident through his thin mask, he walked over to Sakura and leaned over to press his covered lips to her soft cheek. She could do nothing but return the warmth with a smile that was ever so sweet, but as soon as he took the seat beside her she began her inquisition.

"What happened last night? I know that... well... and I know we did... but I don't know..." She was blushing furiously and was too embarrassed to speak the words aloud.

"Don't worry..." He looked at her with a smirk. "You're still innocent."

Sakura let out a sigh of relief. She at least wanted to remember her first time.

"...sort of." He added quickly, with a small laugh.

"What?!?!"

"Well let us just say that I won't be needing that book for a while."

"Kakashi! You pervert!"

"Pervert? I'm not the one who started it, Miss. Oh-sensei-I-want-you-so-bad." Teasing her was one of his most favourite things to do because her look became so adorable with increased frustration.

"I did not say that." At that moment Sakura realized how much of a truth serum alcohol actually was.

Together they set out on the long road back to their hometown, teasing each other along the way just like before. The journey was expected to be rougher due to the winter weather and their time of traveling was significantly increased.

The sky had ceased sending it's snowflakes to the earth around noon and the sun began to peep through the last of the dismal clouds. The two ninja were happy to find out that the small town had been the hardest hit area, receiving almost a foot of snowfall. The closer they made it to Konoha, the less snow there was. They were traveling in about six inches of snow when they decided to rest for the night. The winds were picking up and Sakura could feel her cheeks chapping against the sharp cold bite.

They were both out of breath the second they stopped. Sakura had made it farther than Kakashi had expected in such extreme weather conditions. Her face was as red as the dress she wore underneath his oversized shirt. He smirked at the sight of her all worn out and in his clothes.

In fact, Sakura was so exhausted that when Kakashi prodded her to gather firewood she couldn't move. The girl sure had determination and that was a trait to take great pride in. In the end Kakashi prepared the fire himself as he let her rest against the cold bark of a tree. She was huddled up into a ball and shivering from the harsh air.

As soon as the fire was roaring, the older ninja took his place next to her and he pulled her in tightly to his chest. She was freezing and he was sure neither of them would mind sharing body heat. In response she looked up at him and smiled. It may have been an easy mission, but she was sure that it would not have gone as smoothly if he had not been with her.

"How much longer do you think we have?" Her voice came out slightly cracked from her dry throat.

"One day, at least. Depends on this damn weather." Kakashi rubbed his hands up and down the length of her arm to create warmth from the friction. Sakura didn't respond with further conversation, instead she just nodded.

The longer the silence grew, the more Kakashi found himself thinking. For the first time in almost his entire life, he had begun to think of his future. These thoughts had only come to him during the course of this mission. He didn't know what triggered them...he supposed he was just finally feeling his age. All the talk they had over hopes and dreams did no good for him when he realized that he did not even have a plan.

"Sakura, what should I make of myself?" He asked her for he knew how well she could hold up a semi-philosophical conversation from the last time they spoke over the fire.

"Haven't you already made it?" A soft voice responded in curiousity. She had believed him to be one of the best ninja in Konoha and he had already made quite the name for himself.

"No..."

"What do you mean, then?"

"Should I carry on my father's name or should I fight as a ninja until I die? I mean, I always just automatically assumed the latter one but I never stopped to think about it." There were pros and cons to both, he gathered. The pro involved with continuing as a full-time ninja was simply the fact that nothing would change.

"I can't give you the answer to that question. I just don't know."

"What about you? What do you want to do?"

"I don't know that either, I'm still young. I figure I have enough time to think about that later."

"I'm running out of time, I think." He sighed.

"Better think fast, old man." Her giggle was audible as she poked innocent fun at his age.

"I resent that." He shot her an amused look and then his face once more fell to seriousness, "I don't want to die yet."

"Then there is part of your answer as to what you want to do."

"...I'm too happy." At these words Sakura felt the familiar sensation of her stomach turning the pleasant flips and the small butterflies fluttering around. She wasn't quite sure what her reaction was telling her, but still it was very welcome.

"Still no dream?"

"No, just my purpose." He pulled her in closer to him in affirmation of his statement.

"Well I suppose you could keep track of what future you daydream about the most."

"Maybe...which do you think of most?"

"I think about you too damn much, sensei." She buried her head into the warmth of his chest and her hands made their way around his waist.

"Sakura..." He hadn't expected her to say that. He wasn't the least bit prepared for the conversation to take a turn such as this.

"This is just physical, right? It's just a normal fling, right?" She searched for assurance within his face as she caught his gaze with hers.

"I don't know…" He had intended it to be purely physical, but never before in his past relationships had he had that feeling deep in the pit of his stomach. The feeling that even the one night they had together could change his entire life. He seemed to ease his mind at the thought that their relationship just felt a little more intimate because of their past friendship and the tension they created.

Together they slept there under the newly emerging stars.

Konoha was in sight. The city gates were visible across the vast field that they stood in. It was also the field in which they had spent many days training as teacher and student. That time seemed so long ago to both of them.

"Are you ready?" Kakashi glanced over at his partner in slight concern.

"Ready for?" She had forgotten all about what had happened. Kakashi proved to be a true remedy after all!

"To see him. We haven't spoken of it lately."

"Ah. See, I forgot! So I guess that means I am." She laughed and brushed the subject away. In truth the memory did not leave her feeling sad or violated anymore...it just left her feeling a little bit angry, "You will be next to me, right?"

"Yes."

"Then you can hold me back when I attempt to kick his ass." A wave of confident laughter filled the air and Kakashi smiled. Unable to help himself he pulled her in for a kiss that was soft and sweet even with the separation of the mask.

"One more time." Reaching up, Sakura's fingers slipped beneath the edge of the fabric covering the handsome face and tugged it down to reveal his mysterious features. Instinctively Kakashi once more crashed his lips into hers. This time the kiss was more intense and it reminded them both of the desire shared between them.

"Keep your hands off me in public, Sakura-chan." It came out with an obvious amount of regret. Her head nodded, insinuating that she understood the consequences of others finding out about their physical relationship.

"I don't think it's me that you have to worry about... you are the one that can't restrain himself." While laughing at her own comment she tore herself away from him and ran towards the gates. Quickly he reacted and chased after her. If he could catch her then he planned on tossing her to the ground and torturing her right then and there...but alas she was faster than he expected on the last leg of the journey.

"Race ya." She spoke as she stopped in front of the gate with him only a few steps behind.