Caged: Chapter 4

Seperation Anxieties

Disclaimer: Still don't own Naruto. Could deal with owning Kakashi tho! This chapter contains an exerpt from an original poem of mine titled, 'Set Free.'

Sunlight awakened Kakashi first so he just laid there watching Sakura sleep. They enjoyed a wonder night of passion and it thrilled him to know he'd been her first. He looked at her face so innocent in sleep, capable of great passion and she could produce enough fury to make a grown man wet himself. So here she is with him, of course he doesn't know what she sees in him, but for now love is enough. So much of his life felt like it'd been spent behind metaphorical and alliteratory bars. Well, apparently love would be his downfall. His jailer had come.

Help me to breathe

I didn't realize

I wasn't breathing

Til you

Openend my cage

Setting me free.

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Sakura feeling the sun's warm ray's on her face turned over, facing Kakshi. Stretching, she just now realized how sore her muscles were from last night. Opening her eyes, she was face to face with him, absorbing his gorgeous face. It's hard to believe that he keeps that covered, but then again, he'd have a fan club of his own in no time flat!

Kakashi reached out to caress her cheek and saying, "Good morning Sakura." Then of all things, he smiled not just any smile, mind you, a true smile that went to his eyes expressing his happiness.

Sakura, shyly, looked at him again replying, "Good morning to you, Kakashi." Even the sound of his name released a shock through her. Being near him made her want him again so badly. But where do they go from here? She was scared that this might be a one time thing and she couldn't deal with that. If Sakura was going to give her heart it would be completely without reservations.

While Sakura was deliberating what to say, Kakashi leapt into the silent void so there could be no misunderstandings about what conspired between them last night.

"Sakura, you've given me such a wonderful gift. One that I don't deserve and never could hope to prove enough how much I don't deserve you. I...just want to say-"

"You don't have to say anything. I, however want to tell you how much I love you. Even the times you were pretty set that I still was in love with Sasuke, I wasn't. I fell out of love with him a long time ago. If it wasn't for you checking on me and training, I'd have fallen into a place where I don't know if any of you could've brought me out again." While she was explaining away her boyhood crush, her smile switched from such joy to sadness. Remembering all that'd she'd gone through and accomplished was with the help of one very sexy, silver haired jounin.

Sakura reached out to run her right hand lightly up his left arm. Her hand continued upward til it reached his neck. Sitting up and pulling Kakashi to her, she wrapped her arms around his neck, staring deep into his eyes. Everything she felt, she saw reflected there. The two lovers slowly inched forward until their lips were practically touching, but not touching. Sakura took in a breath, letting it all out again. What she said next would help determine if they could continue being together or not.

"Kakashi, I love you...I really do. I love what you can to do me here and now, how you train with me and the ways you take care of me. I know you figured that I wasn't paying attention after Sasuke left but I was. You'll never know what it meant for you to do all that for me." Sakura closed her eyes when she finished speaking, afraid of what he was about to say.

He took both hands, framing her face and softly replying, "Thank you for your words. I'll never be able to meet the standards you have for me. Like I was saying earlier, I don't deserve you and never will."

She felt her eyes going nuts on the waterworks again.'Damn', she thought what's wrong with me. He's going to turn me away. He doesn't feel the same. Panic started crushing her chest. I can't bear this. I've got to leave while I still have some dignity intact. Torn apart inside but also swearing at herself.

Kakashi watched the play of emotions cross Sakura's face. Momentarily, he wondered if last night was the beginning and the end for them. He'd just have to cross his fingers that it wouldn't have a negative turnout.

"Kakashi...I'm sorry if I'm not what you expected." Damn tears were flowing worse than any river she'd ever seen. "I've always tried my hardest for you and only you. The worst thing for me right now is to feel I've disappointed you. I'll just get my things and go. I won't forget-"

"Don't leave." His plea soft and fervent. He took his thumbs to wipe away her tears because he could never stand to see her cry.

"But I thought-" She was confused now. What was going on in the great Copy-Nin's mind?

This time it was Kakashi who took a deep breath and releasing it so he could speak more calmly. He couldn't believe how nervous he was. Unbelievably, he was sure that rejection was on it's way to screw his good morning.

"I've never been disappointed in you. Hell, look what you've accomplished. You're such a talented medic-nin that Tsunade brags on you with every oppotunity. Trust me, that in itself is no small feat. I won't let you go before I say this one last thing."

Holding her tightly against him, he lifted her chin, so they could once again be eye to eye. "Sakura, I love you. I've carried these feeling around since before Sasuke left to hunt down Itachi. I was always too much of a coward to tell you. The reason being, first, you were pining after the Uchiha and second, there's the age difference. But if it doesn't bother you, then I'm fine with us as well. I'm so sorry that I never told you til now and I couldn't let you leave before I let everything out."

Now Sakura's sobs had quieted into sniffles. She looked at him in amazement and suddenly blessed him with her trademark light-bright smile. "Kakashi, I'm want to give this a go.. I mean us a go. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as we're together."

He pulled her closer, kissing her so gently as if she were a piece of glass. Seconds turned into moments and the moments grew heavier as the passion sprang to life once more.

"Sakura, I want you to look in my sharingan. You won't be hurt I promise you. Pleasure will be the only thing you feel this time."

She felt so unsure. The previous times frightened her so badly that she still has nightmares occasionally. "I don't know if I can." The fear began building in her stomach and rising rapidly.

"Trust me."

Those two little words, which held such powerful meaning, added with the look of pure love aided Sakura in surrendering her will to him.

"I trust you. I trust you with my life. What do you want me to do?" Her nervousness evident in her jade green eyes.

"Just look in my eye...then we'll do anything and everything we dare to do. All you have to do is relax; give your will over to mine. That's it."

Sakura, calmly, looked into his eye. Red swirls spun slowly then started speeding up. She felt the pull of his sharingan but oddly enough, no pain or no torture.

Kakashi reached for her kissing her deeply. He'd have to be careful because well... he really didn't want to consider the possibility.

Hands and mouths roamed freely. Sakura felt as if she was floating in suspended time where every beautiful sensation was multiplied hundreds of times over. Kakashi, once again, leaning over her and suddenly all these feelings were causing her to experience a sensory over load. Everything, for Sakura, seemed to blend together. Each touch, kiss and whisper. Within moments, Sakura, again felt her body and conciousness giving in as the darkness over took her for a second time.

Kakashi couldn't help but to stare at her. She was the most beautilf kunoichi in Konoha. He was feeling incredibly lucky to have her. Wishing to himself, he hoped that this happiness would be permanent and not fleetin.

Knock, knock knock.

' Whose at the door? I really wanted to sleep in today. Guess that's not in the cards.' He thought that whoever it was better have a good reason for this interruption! If not, he wasn't to blame for any violence follwing after.

"Yeah, yeah yeah. I'm coming. Keep your panties on." Kakashi found it difficult not to be irritable at seven am, being rousted from his bed with Sakura.

Kakashi swung the door open. "What do you want?" Shaking his head he repeated, "What do you want, Genma?"

"Tsunade-sama is requesting your presence in her office immediately. She has an extremely important mission for you, my friend." Genma couldn't help smiling. Since Genma obviously wasn't privvy to last nights events remarked, "You need to get laid , my friend."

Kakashi smirked while replying back, "Already did." The surge of pride being immeasureable! He was confident that Sakura had something to do with it.

Genma's penchant for nosiness and gossip was immediately roused. "Really. Who would the young lady be, hmm?" Genma was sure Kakashi was lying about it but he was fixing to get a huge suprise.

"Mmmm."

Genma and Kakashi's heads swiveled toward the female sound. Just in time to see Sakura stretching. She'd thrown on one of Kakashi's black shirts and the men had a hard time closing their mouths due to the sight in front of them.

"Hell, no, Kakashi. You can't be that lucky. There hasn't been one guy in the whole village to get this lucky!" Genma was awed. "You know that the rest of the guys will never believe this. Anyway, I 've got to get moving and so do you. Tsunade will have your head if you don't show up really soon. Later."

Genma closed the door behind him and Kakashi crossed the room to Sakura. Taking her in his arms again; inviting temptation and loving every minute.

"Sakura I've been requested by Tsunade to come to her office straight away, no delay. I'll be back soon...wait for me?"

Her smile was all the reward he could ask for. "Do you really need to ask? Wild horses couldn't drag me away!" Her laughter ; music to his ears and a partial key to his heart. "I'll be waiting, Kakashi. Just don't make me wait long, because, I'm a very impatient girl."

He laughed then leaned in to kiss her goodbye. Just to be away from her for an hour would be torture. Asuma, Genma, Raido and Iruka would never let him live it down. What they thought didn't matter anymore than what anyone else thought.

Kakshi walked out the door, heading to the Hokage's office as swiftly as possible. He didn't want to endure being away from Sakura anymore than he had to.

Sakura walked around Kakashi's apartment, this being the first time she'd been there, and to see it in daylight as well. His place was sparsely decorated...simple... just like him. Walking over to his bookcase, she knew several literary works she'd find. Kakashi's perverted specialty, ' Icha, Icha'. She couldn't believe how many different series there were. Glancing at the titles, this gave Sakura an idea. She smiled very mischieviously, pulling several books off the shelf. She walked over to his futon and began scanning through the perversion library as she was dubbing it from here on out.

Meanwhile in the Hokage's office, Kakshi was fighting to keep his temper in check. His important mission was a kind of joke. He knew that at first Sakura would be pissed but would understand, eventually. This was the shinobi life and missions were an integral part of it everyday.

"Hatake. You'll leave at seven am, beginning your mission. You're to take Asuma, Neji, Shikamarou and Kiba. You know what to do and how everything to supposed to fall into place. Good luck and see you upon your return. That's all"

Kakashi never thought that the dismissal would ever come. Tsunade kept droning on and on about the mission; boring him to death. Rubbing his forehead, he pondered how to tell Sakura that he'd be leaving tomorrow and would be gone for about three months. Best thing to do is to get it over with so you can spend your last night, for a while anyway, in her loving embrace.

Sakura was standing on the balcony, outside his bedroom, when Kakashi entered the apartment. He couldn't find her in the kitchen, living room or bathroom, so the bedroom was next on his list.

Stopping in the doorway, he glanced at her, admiring her physique. There was also her inner beauty to contend with...it made the outside that much more beautiful. She slowly turned around and her breath caught in her throat. Thinking to herself, ' God he's too good looking for my sanity. I could look at him forever.' Sakura then noticed his preoccupation and that he actually looked upset about something.

"What's wrong, Kakashi?" She crossed over to him and encircled his waist with her slender arms.

"There's no easy way to tell you."

The unease that had started to build when she saw his face rapidly changed to apprehension. "Just get it out. Usually that's the best way."

"I've been ordered by the Hokage leave in the morning for a mission. Bad thing is... I'll be gone for about three months. Myself, Asuma, Neji, Shikamarou and Kiba. We'll be heading toward Suna to visit our old friend, the kazekage, Gaara. Gaara personally requested help from tsunade so it must be trouble. Maybe, though, the mission will turn out to be boring...hopefully."

" I understand, Kakashi. I thought we might've had a little more time before real life decided to barge in on us. I have one small favor to ask, if you will."

Curiousity caught Kakashi by the tail. "Anything that's within my power to give... i'll do it."

Watching her face and seeing the troublesome look that crossed it, he thought he might be in a little bit of trouble for his last statement.

"Good", she said. " I want my insatiable curiousity satisfied and I want this to be extremely memorable for the both of us. Her smile accompanying those words eased his mind temporarily.

"So...Sakura...What did you have in mind?" His voice dropped and the sensuality would drive her crazy. Fact is, he was already there.

Sakura took him by the hand, sitting on the bed. "Well..I was reading some of your 'Icha, Icha' books and-"

"And?" God he was intrigued. He never believed for a minute his angel would tempt him with such naughtiness! Suddenly, he was pulled forward and she was whispering in his ear.

"Oh really. My cherry blossom such ideas you have... they're kind of dangerous you know." Kakashi pulled her even closer, wanting nothing, not even space between them. Swiftly he captured her lips with such heat that it wouldn't take much to cause an inferno tonight.

Sharing several passionate encounters that night, Kakashi and Sakura, they collapsed, worn out from their late night activities. Wrapping their arms tightly around each other, falling into a peaceful slumber and smiles to accompany the late night afterglow. There would be no regrets, for once, and neither of them would be plagued by the horrible dreams that usually came in the night. Seperate they could hold their own, if forced, but united nothing could seperate and ever harm them.

Soft sighs and whispers echoed in the darkened room which earlier vibrated with the throes of passion. Before they could finally succumb to sleep's hold, they had one more thing to say.

"Kakashi... I love you."

"As I love you, Sakura."

"Good night, Kakashi." She snuggled closer to him and his warmth. Sakura fell asleep instanly.

"Good night, Sakura." Kakashi stared at the ceiling for a few moments before drifting off into his peaceful slumber.

A/N: I think this is my longest chap yet! whoo-hoo! Thanks to those who've reviewed and kept my ass in gear!

SweetAssassin: Hope this was a little of what you were wanting. I tried for a little of both.

Infinite's girl: You wanted more so here it is baby! I'm crossing my fingers you and everyone else likes it.

GinaCat: Thanks for reviewing also and I'm keep trying to update as much as possible as soon as possible. :)

Madness Incarnate: This is also to say thanks for helping keep my butt in gear cuz if u guys didn't beg for more than who knows if I'd ever gotten around to finishing it!

Apherion, last but definitely not least, thank you my muse. This fic is starting to wind up and I'm not sure how many chapters there'll be. I plan on twisting and bending this baby before I'm done.

crossing fingers that everyone will like

Right now I' m so tired I've got Evanescence's 'Bring Me to Life' repeatedly sounding in my head. So with this I bid you all a good night. bows and exits