Well I made this one longer for you guys. I tried not to ramble about little stuff though. I need to get better at this… Thanks for all the reviews guys! I'm so touched. :cries:

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I just borrow the people and put them in a temporary story plot.

WhenYouFell- Yup! Thanks.

Graviola- Kakashi is hot! Thank you.

Lil anmei- I love you! yum… Kakashi

Bride-inugami21- strawberries are good! You think so? I'm really not so talented.

Wvyren Wing- arigatou!

ShyMoonlight- :drool: Kakashi….

The-kaiba-heir- hehe Many thanks for the compliments.

Faye Leingood- Ooh. I head that was a good game. Thanks. I love this couple too!

Truth or Desire- hope you like this chapter! Writing is harder than it looks.. --

SweetAssassin- Awesome! Please keep reading.

Luna Forest- thank you!

Sharingan-User Hatake Kakashi

Shatterdheart- Yes he is. Thank you! I should make him more resistant shouldn't I..

UniqueWolfLover- hehe. Yup. I love Kakashi.

Harada Risa- Yay! Arigatou Rita-chan!

SilverGhostKitsune- haha. The suspense!

BurmyWolf- lol. I wanted to add some humor in it. I'm planning to write a more serious one after I finish this though..

Hamgirl- Thanks a lot!

Tixylix- Hope you feel better. I'll give you a massage! Kakashi can be pretty scary ne?

ShadowVixen- Yup! I'll try not to let you down.

Inuyashafeudalgirl- Gomen. I'm a bit slow on the updating business.. ; Just one of my flaws.

Animemistress419- Keep reading then! There are some really good kakasaku stories out there!

A lone figure stood in front of the stone memorial. His one black eye stared hard at it as if searching for an answer. He'd come here every morning, as was his usual ritual. Except for the past week with nothing to hurry to, he had stayed longer.

He didn't understand what all the fuss was about. It wasn't like he was physically wounded. Still Tsunade had firmly told him to take a month off to recuperate telling him to look at it as a break leaving him bored out of his mind.

Internally he sighed. He hated being idle. He could be on a mission saving someone's life or taking the place of another ninja who couldn't handle their mission. Plus he had absolutely nothing to do. There's only so many times he could read his Icha Icha Paradise before he could recite them by heart. That's when you know you've read too much

His eyes bore into familiar names setting a pang in his chest. Rin.. Obito…It still hurt. He still had nightmares of them dying. In some dreams they hated him. It was better than the ones where they smiled at him. Telling it was alright, that it wasn't his fault forgiving him. And he would watch in horror as they drowned in their own blood.

At least when they hated him he could be angry. Yell and scream until all of his pain and frustration turned to numbness. Sometimes Obito would be there smiling at him with half his face crushed and rotted. Dripping in blood gaping at him with his crimson stained eyes sockets while Kakashi stared at him, unable to move or even scream.

Then there were his other dreams. Where they were alive and still the best of friends. Rin would smile at him kindly while holding Obito's hand and everything was perfect. Those were the dreams he hated most because the emptiness and guilt he felt when coming back into consciousness were almost unbearable.

He knew that if he had just abandoned the mission and went with Obito first they would be here right now. But he had been so stupid and arrogant back then. Always thinking he was right. Never stopping to consider that someone else might have a point. Which was his main reason for wanting to help Sasuke. It was his atonement. In the end he still wasn't able to help him.

He was surrounded in darkness drowning in his sorrow, his pain swallowing bits and pieces of him until there was nothing left.

Recently those dreams didn't come as often and when they did it only left a cold empty feeling in his chest. He didn't wake up screaming in a cold sweat and it usually went away by the time he came out of the shower.

Instead he'd been having dreams of cherry blossoms and sunlight. Although by the time he woke he'd only barely remember what he'd been dreaming about but it left him in a peaceful state of mind.

Being around Sakura was calming and you couldn't help but smile when you were in her presence. Her bright smiles and cheerful personality made you feel good about yourself or at least better than usual. When she entered a room the atmosphere lightened considerably. She could even make Neji smile much to the chagrin of the white-eyed boy.

It was surprising how temperamental she could get. Who would've thought such a cheerful person would have such a frightening temper. He found it amusing how she could just look at Naruto to send him running.

His stomach growling cut his musings short. "Guess I shouldn't have skipped breakfast." Hands in his pockets he headed towards the ramen shop.

"I'm.. exhausted." Sakura nearly collapsed in one of Tsunade's chair's. She'd been working herself like crazy again. After group 7's mission it was up to her to write the report seeing as how Kakashi was recuperating and she hadn't trusted Naruto to give a suitable one.

The first and last time she had let him do their mission report he had thoroughly wrote all his complaints from lack of ramen to Sasuke's normal behavior. He had also put in how everyone was mean to him and how he should get free ramen for being such a "hard-working" shinobi.

When she'd ask him where the summary of their actual mission was he pointed to a sentence, which had said 'We beat them bad.' He had a swollen cheek for the rest of that week.

When she asked Sasuke to write it he merely stared at her like she was crazy and walked away. 'Some friends…'

To make matters worse Tsunade pushed her extra hard this past week. When she asked why she was punishing her she only gave her more things to do. That women was evil.

Even with all of the work she had refused to let herself slack on her other shinobi training.

With all everything keeping her preoccupied she hadn't had time to think about Kakashi. But sometimes when she closed her eyes at night she would see his smiling face with his eye crinkled and she'd have flashbacks to his apartment.

She could still feel his warmth against her back and his arms around her waist. Then she'd wake up with a mixed feeling of contentment, confusion with just a little feeling of disappointment.

"I have a mission for you." Sakura's head snapped up at her mentor's words. She hoped it wasn't too long. She was low on energy as it was.

"You said Kakashi's predicament would last for a month at most did you not?" Tsunade looked at her intently. Sakura was getting a bad feeling about this.

She nodded. "I did."

"I want you to watch over Kakashi until he is fully recovered. I don't trust him to take care of himself. He tends to wander a lot when he's out of commission and now that his inhibitions have been taken away I don't know how unpredictable he's going to be. You know as well as I do that he is capable of much damage."

"I hardly think he's going to go around beating people up just because he feels like it. He's got more restraint than that. Besides people won't dare to insult the great copy ninja and it's not like him to go picking fights."

Tsunade fixed her with a stern look. "We can't afford to take that risk. I know Kakashi is a very strong-willed person but I don't know how much self-control he has right now and as hokage it is my duty to keep my village safe."

"Isn't there anyone else you can send? I'll fall behind in my training and what if you need me at the hospital! It's already been a week and he hasn't killed anyone yet. Maybe he's all better." She was starting to panic. It really would put a dent in her training schedule but the idea of spending time alone with Kakashi made her feel uneasy.

"You are one of the closest people to him so I don't have to worry about him trying to attack you. Also you're one of the best kunoichi we've got so I know you can handle him if he acts up."

Before Sakura could protest again Tsunade's voice rose two levels telling her there was no room for left for arguments. "You are to stay with him until he's back to full health and I want you to check his chakra everyday. Any questions?"

Wringing her hands together she nervously asked if that meant she had to stay overnight too. She breathed a sigh of relief when she said no.

The Hokage arched her eyebrow at this but decided not to comment. "But I expect you to stay until he falls asleep. You are dismissed."

She stood and bowed saying she understood. Before she could took a step out the room Tsunade called out to her. "This would be a good opportunity to get some rest for yourself as well Sakura. You've been working yourself too hard."

Sakura nodded appreciatively. "Thank you Tsunade-sama." She looked genuinely concerned about her.

"And try not to have too much fun while you're at Kakashi's. I can't have my apprentice fooling around while she's on duty."

"Eh? What are you talking about! She felt like her face was on fire.

Tsunade laughed. "I'll see you later Sakura!" She watched as her pupil stomped out of the room while grumbling under her breath. That girl was so fun to get riled up. She wondered why she was so defensive about watching over Kakashi. 'Ah well, if there was anything going on she'd find out soon enough.' After all news traveled fast in Konoha.

"Argh!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "What did I do to deserve this?" She looked up at the darkening sky accusingly. "You think this is funny don't you!"

She sighed. This wouldn't get her out of her situation. Actually she didn't think anything could get her out of her predicament. Once Tsunade made up her mind she was like a mountain except 10 times stronger.

Suddenly she felt a tug on her jounin uniform. She liked how comfortable it was even if it wasn't the most fashionable of clothing.

Turning she saw a cute little girl who looked like she had been crying. Her eyes were puffy and she could see tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. She looked lost.

"Hello and who might you be?" Sakura's asked gently.

The little brunette looked at her with wide innocent eyes. M-My name is Maru.. I can't find brother. Can you help me?" Her eyes started to cloud over with tears again.

Kakashi walked out of the Ramen shop feeling replenished. He was about to walk home when he saw Sakura with a little brown haired girl. He knew he shouldn't. But he couldn't help himself when his legs began to carry him closer.

"So your brother has brown eyes and black hair?" She sweat dropped. 'Well that doesn't help us any…'

"Does he have anything that's different from anyone else? Maybe like a big scar or he could be really tall?"

Maru put her finger on her chin thoughtfully. 'She's so cute!' gushed inner Sakura. "Oh I know! He has really big hair! It looks like a big cloud and it always get's in brothers face." She giggled at her brother's image.

Just then a poofy black haired man came running towards them. The little girl's eyes widened in excitement. "Oji-chan!" She looked up at Sakura pointing a finger at him. "That's my brother! Thank you very much pretty lady." That said she jumped into her brothers arms hugging his neck.

"You had me worried Maru! You can't just take off like that." His focus turned onto Sakura as if just noticing she was there. "Thank you miss for taking care of my little sister. I hope she wasn't too much of a hassle."

She shuddered as he gave her a once over, then a twice over. He was about to give her a third over when she cleared her throat impatiently. 'The nerve' At least he had the decency to blush. "Thank you again miss. Maybe I shall see you around sometime." Bowing to her he started walking back in the other direction.

Kakashi clenched his fist together. He felt like hitting him. Hard. He had no right to look at her like that! The week that he had stayed away from her had given him back some semblance of restraint. At least enough from going over there and beating the guy's face in. He calmly took a deep breath.

"Bye pretty lady! Come play with me sometime ok?" Maru gave her a toothy smile while waving enigmatically. "See you later!" Sakura called back. 'She was so cute! Her brother was nice but a little weird. Not to mention perverted…

What was up with that hair though? It was like a cloud of black dust bunnies suffocating his face. It was almost as creepy as Lee's eyebrows. She shivered. He really could use a wax.

Heading home she was surprised to see Kakashi walking ahead of her in the same direction. 'Where had he come from?' "Kakashi-sensei." He kept walking as if he hadn't heard her. "Kakashi!" she yelled.

He turned to her with his usual happy anime eye smile. "Yo."

She caught up and he resumed walking with her beside him. He looked down at her from the corner of his eye. She was fidgeting with her hands and had an anxious look on her face.

"Is something troubling you?" He was wearing his usual bored expression. She hoped he was back to normal.

"Well.. you see…" Clearing her throat she tried settling her nerves. Kakashi's full attention was on her making her more nervous than she should've been.

"Tsunade has requested that I become your personal medic. Just in case you get into any trouble." She smiled unsurely at him.

Kakashi's eye widened in surprise. He hadn't seen that coming.

"So I'll be at your house bright and early!" 'This won't be so bad.' she tried to convince herself'. At least he wasn't mauling her or anything.

"Eh... you really don't need to do that. I'm a big boy Sakura." He was pleased by Tsunade's request but his pride had been insulted. It's not like he needed a baby-sitter. He was a grown man after all.

Sakura grinned up at him. "Nope Tsunade made it clear that I am to watch you until you've recovered."

He gave her a wry expression. "I assure you I haven't gone on any killing sprees as of late. I've been good."

Sakura laughed the previous tension leaving her. He was just comfortable to be around there was no helping it. When you weren't on his bad side anyways.

They stopped as they reached Sakura's house. She turned to him with a bright smile. "Here's my st-"

She froze as his arms enveloped her and buried his face in her shoulder. "Kakashi?" Her voice came out as a whisper.

A moment later he leveled his face with hers barely an inch away, his arms on her shoulders. "You should stay away from strange men." Next thing she knew he was gone with a grin and a swirl of leaves leaving them to pile at her feet.

She gaped at the spot that he had just occupied. She swore that man was bipolar! Like he's one to talk about strange men. One second he was serious and the next he was grinning like an idiot. "Kakashi no baka!" What was he trying to pull?

'Wait! Does that mean he saw her with Oji?' Inner Sakura smirked. 'I bet he was jealous.' Blushing crimson she berated her other half. 'What are you talking about!'

He couldn't be jealous… could he? Then again she didn't know him very well and with all the attention she'd been getting from her she could only assume that he had at least some attraction to her. But Kakashi didn't get jealous.

Without realizing it she had opened her door and was now currently staring at her kitchen wall. She wondered if she sleepwalked. 'Might as well start making dinner.'

Getting out her cutting board she started to prepare everything needed for Sushi. She loved sushi! She ate it at least once a week. She was usually a generous person but when it came to her sushi she was cutthroat.

After eating she showered and changed into her sleep shift. It was a pink, silk one with a few ribbons trailing the flowing material. It was a gift from her mother on her last birthday and her favorite one. She loved the way it felt against her skin.

She wasn't really looking forward to tomorrow morning. The kunoichi wondered if it would be a crime to slip her former sensei something to knock him out for the next week.

Sakura sighed dejectedly. It'd never work. He'd probably catch on and find some horrible way to pay her back. Like make her run 1,000 laps. Even though he wasn't her teacher anymore he'd find someway knowing him.

She was going to kill Tsunade for this. The only thing she could do was brave it out she supposed. The last thing she thought of before drifting off to sleep was how nice it was to be in his arms. Even if it was wrong. (This would've been the perfect spot to stop but I decided to make it longer.)

The next morning she was at his doorstop just as she said she'd be bright and early. 'C'mon Sakura you can do it! Just knock on the door.' Slowly she brought her hand to the door. 'Just a little further….'

"I'll just come back later. He's probably still sleeping anyways." Just as she was about to turn around the door opened to reveal a half-dressed Kakashi wearing only a pair of black, khaki pants. 'Make that a sexy, muscular, half-naked Kakashi.'

"See something you like?" blushing she realized she'd been staring. "You wish you pervert!" He held his hands up defensively. "By the way there's a little bit of drool hanging out of your mouth."

"I did not drool!" she yelled while subconsciously bringing her hand up to her mouth. "Would you like to come in?" He gestured to the door as he stood to the side to let her in.

She hmphed as she walked past him and into the living room. Not much had changed since the last time she'd been there except for the Icha Icha Paradise books on the coffee table. "So what do you do at home anyways?"

He looked pointedly at his precious novels and she glared at him. "Besides your perverted books." He rubbed the back of his head. "Hmm. I sleep and eat, and that's about it."

'No wonder he's always out. He probably gets bored a lot.' "But it's not too bad since I'm never home." The whistling of the kettle cut their conversation short. "Would you like some tea? I'm just making breakfast."

She'd always thought Kakashi as a coffee person. "No I'm good." On his way to the kitchen he brushed past her leaving a tingling feeling where his hand had brushed against her hip.

He came out with two cups of tea and a plate of bagels. The morning was spent reminiscing about fond memories of team 7 and laughing about Naruto's antics. It was pleasant and Sakura had lost track of time. By the time they stopped talking it was well into the afternoon.

Sakura realized she hadn't eaten since last night since she didn't feel like eating that morning due to her stomach's constant flip flops. "Let's go out for lunch! You need to go out and have some fun." She promptly dragged him out of his seat and had her hand on the doorknob when he pulled her back.

She gave him a puzzled expression. "As much as I think the women of Konoha would appreciate the view do you think I could go change first?" With a start she realized that he was still shirtless. Before she could start staring again she quickly grabbed their cups and dish saying she'd wash while he changed.

10 minutes later they were on their way to a sushi bar much to Sakura's delight with a fully dressed Kakashi in his jounin uniform. To their surprise they found Ino there along with Asuma, Shikamaru and Chouji.

Ino squealed in excitement and rushed over to her. They sat together leaving Kakashi to sit with the guys. Ino looked at her pink haired friend slyly. "What are you two doing together hmm? You wouldn't happen to be on a date would you?"

Sakura flushed crimson as she looked at her friend incredulously. "I knew it! I'm right aren't I? Wait till everyone hears about this!" The blonde looked thoughtful for a moment then lowered her voice. "Ohh. I guess it's a secret isn't it?" She winked at her. "Don't worry I won't tell a soul.

Before Ino decided that they were engaged or some other ludicrous thing she held her hands up. "We are not going out!" she hissed. "Tsunade told me to watch over him because he got injured during a mission." Ino looked at Kakashi doubtfully as he talked with Asuma.

"He looks fine to me."

"Not physically. It's more of a mental injury." She hoped Ino wouldn't ask any more questions. She didn't feel like explaining everything and she might end up bringing up some embarrassing details.

Unfortunately lady luck was against her today and Ino proceeded to question Sakura until she was sure there was nothing else she could possibly tell her besides her incidents with him but she wasn't about to tell anyone about that.

"So basically you're baby-sitting him." The cherry blossom nodded tiredly. She couldn't remember the last time she had been interrogated so thoroughly. She loved Ino to death but sometimes she got a little too curious.

"You know he is pretty good looking."

"I guess." She was starting to feel a little nervous. Whenever Ino had that tone of voice it always led to something bad. "Actually he's drop dead gorgeous!" Sakura rubbed her temples. "And your point is…?" The blonde sighed dramatically. "My point is that you haven't jumped him already!" "Nani?"

"If I were you I would've had my way with him already." Ino looked at her disappointedly. "But I have my Shik already."

"And how are you guys doing?" She was glad to have the conversation directed off of her and Ino liked to talk so she let her talk. Plus she was interested in how they were doing anyhow.

For the rest of the afternoon they talked and ate and they even spent dinner there. Sakura learned that Neji and Tenten were engaged, Chouji and Temari were meeting, Lee could actually hold a conversation with Gaara that consisted more than just a grunt and a glare and all the other current gossip.

After they said their goodbyes Sakura and Kakashi headed back.

"Did you have fun tonight?" She hadn't really spoken to him while they were there. She hoped he hadn't been bored.

His eye crinkled slightly as he looked at her. "It was nice talking to Asuma. We haven't met in a while. So I suppose it could be considered fun."

She collapsed on his sofa as soon as they entered his apartment. She held up a hand to cover he yawn. "I'm so tired." Kakashi sat down next to her.

"Oh yea. I still have to check your chakra." Familiar with the routine he turned around while Sakura put her hand on his back. A warm feeling engulfed Kakashi as her chakra intertwined with his.

He was left with a feeling of loss when she moved her hands. "You're getting better. At this rate you'll be back to normal in a week or two."

Part of her was relieved that he'd be all better but the rest of her was filled with a sense of dread and disappointed. She hated herself for enjoying his gentle and intimate touch. It made it feel like she was taking advantage of him.

"Is something wrong?" She couldn't look him in the eye afraid he'd be able to see right through her, not seeing his dark gaze focused intently on her.

"It's late I should go. I'll see you tomorrow." She needed to clear her head. She didn't see his hand making a grab for her until it was too late resulting in her crashing into his chest.

"Don't I get a goodnight kiss?" His tone teasing but his expression was serious. Not that Sakura could see it. "Ka-ka-shi!"

"I'm not letting you leave until you kiss me." She pushed him at an arms length glaring defiantly at him. "I'm serious! I have to get home!"

She was completely unprepared for the warm pair of lips covering her own. The only thought in her head being how nice it felt. As quickly as it started it was over leaving her mind in a swirl of confusion.

She looked up to see a soft look in his eyes that left an ache in her chest. It just vaguely occurred to her that she just missed seeing what his mask hid. "See that wasn't so hard was it?" He frowned when he saw she wasn't looking at him. Asking softly, "Are you afraid of me?" Not knowing what to say she said goodnight and quickly left thankful he didn't try to stop her.

Leaning against the back of her bedroom door she thought about what just happened. /Are you afraid of me/ Was she afraid of him? No. Not him. She was afraid of how he made her feel. She didn't think she was ready for this whatever it was.

Love? She quickly dismissed the thought. 'Don't be stupid.' She didn't have time for love. She still had her whole life ahead of her. Whatever this was she didn' think she was ready for it.

She banged he head back against the door. 'What have I gotten myself into?'

A/N- So what do you think good bad? Now to continue the next chapter… I haven't really thought of anything for the next chapter so I'll get back to you on that. My brain hurts…