Chapter Twenty Four

Students and Teachers

Canon World:

Saku opened her eyes and immediately realized that she wasn't where she had started off. Snapping shut her eyes once more; she kept her breathing steady and even so as not to alert whoever it was that had removed her from Kakashi's dwelling place. With a little concentration she was able to even her heartbeat and survey the room through squinted eyes.

The room was completely foreign. She had never seen it and had no idea where she was. She supposed she would never know if she didn't get up and poke around the scene, but the thought of the Hokage's words of assassination kept her from revealing her conscious state. It would be better to find out who or what had abducted her before attempting to do anything.

The pillow that cushioned her head was immediately snatched away. Her head hit the bed with a muffled thump and she groaned as a kink in her neck made itself known.

"Get up." Saku's eyes snapped open in recognition.

"Sasuke?"

"Hn."

Saku sat up slowly, eyeing the last Uchiha cautiously. He appeared to be doing nothing more than staring down at her. She remained still and cautious, afraid that if she made any sudden moves he was going to attack. "Why am I here?"

"Because I brought you here." He replied shortly before turning away and stalking out of the room. Saku wondered if she was supposed to follow him and decided after he didn't immediately return that she should. She swung her feet to the ground and stood up swiftly, briefly pondering the method he had used in order to get her there without waking her. Surely, he hadn't used the Sharingan on her, right?

She found him in the kitchen. He stood at the counter and from what she could see he appeared to be cutting something up. Frowning, Saku stepped forward to get a glance at what he was doing only to find that he was chopping up a tomato. Every now and then he'd pick up a piece and pop it into his mouth, juice dribbling down his chin as he chewed. He wiped the liquid from his face with a red stained cloth, striking Saku how much he was like her Sasuke with this love for tomatoes.

Saku, said nothing, opting to lean on the counter and watch him work. She briefly wondered if Kakashi had noticed she was gone yet. Saku grimaced at just thinking his name. The man infuriated her, sending a little pang through her heart at a mere mention of him. She wasn't exactly unhappy to not be with this world's Kakashi. The fact was that looking at his face was a painful reminder of what she had lost and what she would never have. She wasn't too sure she could take it day in and day out. Still, being with this Sasuke wasn't much better. He was unnerving with his tense silences and curt sentences.

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder and tossed an uncut tomato her way. Saku caught it with ease, supposing that this was her breakfast. Her Sasuke had also been in the habit of only packing tomatoes when he was in charge of lunch for their team. He seemed to believe that nothing in the world was more nutritious or tasty than a ripe red tomato. She herself wasn't too fond of tomatoes, but she had a feeling that this was all she was going to get. She bit into the smooth skin, deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth. She heard Sasuke grunt in what she assumed to be approval and they ate breakfast in silence. However, the silence didn't last long and surprisingly she wasn't the one to break it.

"How is she?"

Saku blinked. "She?" Saku's eyes rounded once she realized that he meant Sakura. "The last time I spoke to her she was fine, but she was worried about you."

"Did she relay any messages?"

"Yes." Saku paused, shivering as she noticed that she had his undivided attention. He looked at her, his whole body still and alert. It made her uncomfortable given the fact that the message she had was so brief. "She said that everything would be okay."

He said nothing for a long while until, "Take me to where you are from."

Her reply was immediate. "I can't."

"Yes, you can."

"No, I can't. If you leave then both worlds will be destroyed."

"It would be worth it, to see my family again."

Tears sprang to Saku's eyes. Now she knew why Sakura was so worried about her Sasuke. Pity welled up in her heart for the man who had lost everything at such a young age. However, one look on his darkened face showed he would not react well to any words or gestures of such a feeling. Besides, she had no time to feel bad for him as she had to make him see reason.

"And so you would murder them, the way your family was murdered?"

"Don't speak of things you know nothing about."

"Fine. I'll speak of what I do know. They have a son already. They have a wonderful young man named Sasuke. He is their son, not you."

Saku barely had time to move before he came after her. Unfortunately she wasn't able to completely evade him. He caught hold of her wrist, holding her in place. Saku glared into his eyes defiantly. She would not let him leave this world. Yes, she had family and friends that would not survive, but more than that, the man she loved dearly resided there and she would not let him die on someone's mere whim.

End Canon World

:::

Three members of Team Seven sat in a badly lit bar in silence. They were at a table in a dark corner hidden away from the prying eyes of others. Sasuke reasoned that it was a good thing given the circumstances. They had never seen Kakashi drunk and they probably never would-the man had a tolerance that put Naruto to shame-but that didn't stop the older man from downing one drink after another, for once not even bothering to hide his face. At first the duo had been thrilled to finally see what he had been hiding for years, but not once they saw the scowl that seemed to be permanently attached to it. Sasuke and Naruto glanced at each other, neither knowing what to say. They had never in their lives seen Kakashi so…unapproachable, at least not with them. They had grown used to the cold shoulder that he showered Saku with, but no amount of reasoning had been able to talk some sense into him. Both wanted to leave him in peace but they knew it would be unwise to do so. There was no telling what kind of trouble he would get into if left alone.

"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto began, but stopped short when Kakashi turn that lone eye upon him, daring him to say anything. That gaze made him falter, but to Naruto, Kakashi was family and you took care of your family… even if they did currently look like evil incarnate. "What's wrong?"

"Does it really even matter, Naruto?"

Naruto shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "If it didn't then you wouldn't be sitting here attempting to get shit-faced would you?"

Kakashi raised a glass and saluted the loud blond for his perception before he took another drink.

"Just talk, man. Drinking yourself into a stupor is pointless," Sasuke argued around what looked like a salty tomato slice.

Kakashi slammed his drink down onto the table with enough force to crack the glass. "Pointless? Not at all. It will at least give me several hours of peace where I think of nothing, especially not her."

Sasuke frowned, staring at to his teammate's face. He had never seen Kakashi so cold, so serious. "If you loved her you never should have let her go."

"Why not? It's not as if things could ever go back to way they were. I don't want them to. Besides if she didn't leave the world could possibly be destroyed. What choice was there?"

"There's always a choice," Naruto replied. "There's always a way, Kaka-sensei. You just have to believe it."

Naruto took in the smile on Kakashi's face that was decidedly humorless. It was also unnerving. "You always were an optimist Naruto."

"There's no point in focusing on the negative. What will it get you?" Sasuke asked.

"And you two were always peas in a pod. Especially on missions where you got to harass your old sensei," Kakashi continued, leaning back in his chair and staring up at the ceiling.

"You know what Kakashi? You're better than this. You want her, go get her."

"Life isn't that simple, Sasuke."

"It is if you make it," Naruto supplied, slurping up a long drink of a blue slushy substance. "Just do it. We'll support you on this."

"No. She made the choice to leave so I have to let her go."

"She never would have left if you had shown a little compassion!" Sasuke bellowed, suddenly unable to hold his tongue. He threw a hard glare at the bartender who looked as if he intended to come their way. The man took one look at the green flak jackets on their backs and the shinobi headbands they sported and decided against it. He turned away with a huff and went back to polishing glasses.

"I never wanted to give her my compassion. All I wanted was to give her my love, but she wanted it too late."

"That's the alcohol talking, Sensei. You're not making any sense," Naruto growled. "It's never too late to grab the one you love and never let them go."

"Enough," Kakashi said, dismissing them with an idle wave of the hand. "Just leave. This is my pity party and you're spoiling it." There was no point in getting Naruto going on his love speech. The boy seriously believed that if you loved someone hard enough, then that feeling could weather anything. Kakashi himself knew this wasn't true. He took another long drink and suddenly wished he was on a beach somewhere in Water Country.

"No," Sasuke said with narrowed eyes. "I'll make you see reason even if I have to beat some sense into you."

Rolling his eyes, Kakashi rose to his feet and pulled his mask back into place. It was about time to remind these two upstart pups that not only was he their senior teacher, but he could still whip their asses any day.

"Fine. Let's do this."

:::

Canon World

"Is this some sort of game to you?" Sasuke's face hovered in front of hers. The heat of his body mingled with hers and his breath tasted of anger and hate as it brushed against her skin.

"I could ask you the same question," Saku said defiantly, not for one second even thinking of backing down from the powerful shinobi.

Sasuke pushed her away from him, growling angrily. Saku caught her balance and soon the two people from vastly different worlds were staring at each other across the space of the kitchen.

"It was not a request. You will do as I tell you."

"So you're under the impression that I am to be your slave? If so, then you are mistaken. There are countless lives at stake here. Can't you see that? Don't you know the fate of both our worlds hangs in balance? I have people I care about even if you don't."

Sasuke stared at her silently. Saku hoped that he was truly thinking over her words and not planning to attack her. His body was tense as if he was expecting to have to move suddenly. This man was so different than her Sasuke. Her Sasuke was relaxed and laid back. If he moved, no one would ever have expected it. Saku eyed the dark man before her warily. She suddenly felt like a cornered rabbit about to be pounced on by a fox. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"If I stay, what will you give me in exchange?"

Saku blinked, confused. Sasuke's dark gaze never wavered. If anything he looked more intense in those seconds than he had when he asked to take him to her world.

"I…don't have…anything to give."

"Oh?" Sasuke said, raising a skeptical brow. "I'll let you think on that and we'll speak again later." Saku stood frozen as he moved past her and out the kitchen. The fabric of his clothes brushed against her arm breaking her out of the dark spell he had cast upon her, causing her to shiver.

He paused for a moment in the door frame before completely leaving. He didn't turn back to face her, as if knowing she wouldn't have moved.

"You will be here when I return." His voice held no hint of compromise or warmth in them. She was frozen in anger and a slight fear as his tone promised a swift and deadly retribution should she choose to disobey him.

Saku had been on many missions in her lifetime. There had been times when she, and those close to her, had come close to death and she had been afraid. She had accepted that as a part of the life that she lived. It no longer bothered her. However, the first time she had ever tasted fear was when she heard that simple command come forth from a dark Uchiha Sasuke. The fear was bitter and remained in her senses long after he finally disappeared. It was a feeling she would never forget, but always wish she could.

:::

'It would be foolish to follow his orders', Saku thought hours after he had left. While this Uchiha Sasuke seemed synonymous with death, it would probably be unwise to back down now. It would set the tone for their brief but necessary relationship, and while he was more deadly than any other ninja she'd ever faced, Saku was not inferior to him. So then, why wouldn't her feet move? Why couldn't she walk out that door and feel confident in her own abilities to keep herself safe? Saku growled in frustration as she paced back and forth in the kitchen she couldn't bring herself to leave. She was hungry and tired, even though she had not been awake for very long. Her stomach rumbled in protest to the small amount of food she'd ingested, and suddenly the table looked like tasty dark chocolate.

"Is there any particular reason why you're wearing a hole in the floor of Sasuke's kitchen?"

A gasp slipped from Saku as the very familiar voice asked that question. Saku turned around to face Kakashi, knowing just by the look in that solitary eye that he was amused. Saku opened her mouth to say 'yes, there's a damn good reason why' when she suddenly thought on that. Her previous conversation with him flooded her brain.

"Sasuke's not replaceable!"

"Neither is Sakura." Saku flinched. "And yet," Kakashi continued on, "He is just as important of a member of our team as Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto, but that's because he made his own place."

Saku shook her head to clear it momentarily. No, it would not be good to run to Kakashi with her problems. She would handle this alone… and she would carve her on place in this team that was not yet hers. Saku squared her shoulders, looked Kakashi in the eye, and said, "There is."

"Oh? Anything I can be of assistance with?"

"Not really. There's not a lick of food in this place and I was wondering whether I should wait for Sasuke to return to get something to eat or if I ought to leave and find my own food."

"Why are you lying, Saku?" Kakashi demanded mere seconds after she had completed her sentence.

"Why would you assume I'm lying?"

"Because you went to sleep in your bed at my place and yet here you are."

"And you never once thought that maybe I got up early and came here?"

"Why would you? It's obvious that you're terrified of Sasuke."

"Maybe I am, but like you said Kakashi I have to make my own place on this team and that means getting over such fear."

"Saku…I didn't mean-"

"I know what you meant, and it's okay. Really, it's okay," Saku added when it looked like he wanted to argue.

"Fine-but tonight you come back to my place. Understand?"

"Actually, I think it would be best if I went to Sakura's apartment. If I'm going to take her place then I need my own space."

"I don't think that's wise. With the assassination attempts-"

"I wouldn't have been brought here if the Hokage didn't think I could handle it. I'll be fine."

Kakashi stared at her, noting the stubborn glint in her eye and nodded his head. If she was like Sakura, there would be nothing he could do to change her mind at this point so he would retreat, but only temporarily. With a nod of the head and a wave of the hand Kakashi left Saku alone.

As Saku watched Kakashi go, she wondered what Sakura would have done in this situation, not knowing that the first thing she would have done was consult Kakashi.

End Canon World

:::

They met on the training grounds. Naruto and Sasuke stood on one side while Kakashi stood a great distance away from them, one hand idly twitching its fingers. Naruto noted that this was the hand Kakashi usually used for Chidori. He turned and looked at Sasuke. "He's drunk, right?"

"Nope," Sasuke replied. At a glance Naruto could see that Sasuke was tense and ready for battle. He never once turned and looked at him and Naruto bit back a groan.

"He's pissed, isn't he?"

"Yep," Sasuke replied.

"We're going to regret this in the morning, aren't we?"

A smirk graced Sasuke's lips. His visage was already dissipating into thin air as Naruto caught his answer, "I won't…but maybe you will."

"Hey!" Naruto yelled, and then jumped back, barely missing the fist that Kakashi swung at him. They moved with the grace of dancers, neither landing a hit. For Naruto, it was about respecting his teacher and being mindful of the raw power the older man had. He didn't want to hurt his friend, but he knew the damage Kakashi could administer with a well aimed blow. Kakashi was also holding back, only wanting the boys to mind their own business, but ready to beat them senseless if need be. Sasuke attacked from the left, launching several shuriken at Kakashi's back, not at all surprised to see the man 'go up in smoke.' However, he felt a frisson of surprise when the Copy Ninja appeared behind him. Sasuke had no time to move as a fierce left hook connected with his cheek, sending him flying. Kakashi didn't get the time to gloat over his small victory as Naruto launched thousands of shadow clones in his direction.

Kakashi's facial expression was grim as he dispelled clone after clone. The duo alternated between attacking and sitting back and waiting for openings. He was glad to see that they were tag teaming, a tactic he had taught them. The two boys seemed to do better when working together. However, no matter how hard they fought, he still couldn't shake the feeling that Saku should have been fighting right alongside them. The battle raged on for hours, a process that continued well into the night, only stopping when all three finally collapsed from exhaustion.

:::

They lay on the ground in what remained of the field they had demolished that day. The blades of grass brushed against their skin, irritating the wounds that they should probably get treated…but wouldn't. The sky was filled with stars that twinkled brilliantly in the night sky. The sounds of crickets chirped wrapping them all in a cocoon of serenity.

"Sakura is marrying Itachi," Kakashi said after a while. Sasuke frowned and Naruto looked at Kakashi, puzzled.

Sasuke, unsure of the relevance of the statement spoke cautiously, "Sakura has feelings for Itachi in a way that Saku never could, so that's not surprising."

"Why is it that I always loose to him?"

"Eh, sensei, do you love the new Sakura?" Naruto inquired.

"…Love…? No…but-"

"Then it doesn't matter. You should be happy for her," Naruto stated, cutting him off.

"You're using this situation about Sakura to run away from your personal feelings for Saku," Sasuke finished. "You need to go claim your woman-before another Kakashi does." Kakashi opened his mouth to reiterate that his situation with Saku was irrelevant since she was no longer in their world, but closed his mouth. He was not going to explain himself to Naruto and Sasuke. Although, he had to admit he wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea. While he was fine with letting her go, letting her go to another him was worse than Itachi and that was saying a lot. He didn't know how he could live with the knowledge that somewhere in the universe, a part of him was happy with Saku but he would never consciously know it. The thought was mind boggling.

"I'm serious," Sasuke said, sensing that Kakashi was going to be stubborn about this. "Whether you realize it or not this situation with Saku is far from over."

"You know nothing about 'this situation', Sasuke." Kakashi snapped, not liking the know-it-all attitude that was apparent in Sasuke's voice.

"Do you love her?" Naruto asked, not bothering to wait for a reply since it was already known. "That's all he needs to know."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Kakashi," Sasuke said after some time, "How did you know that Sakura is marrying Itachi? They haven't even told me yet."

"She came and packed up her stuff. I could be wrong but she seemed a bit upset. She also didn't realize I was there so I followed her to the Uchiha's place. After that it wasn't hard to put two and two together. I've seen that look on that face before. I know what it means."

Silence settled over them all once more, this time decidedly less comfortable than before. It was ridiculous that the three of them couldn't have a simple conversation about their female fourth.

"There's no Itachi in that other world. Sakura told me the story. Actually, in her world it's fully expected that she'll marry my counterpart." Naruto and Kakashi looked at Sasuke incredulously. The thought of Sakura and Sasuke together in any world was hardly imaginable for them. On some levels it was frightening. The two squabbled like cats and dogs, and had both at one time or another expressed a desire to end the other's life.

"We did date for a while."

"Yeah, but Saku realized her stupidity fairly quickly," Naruto said, earning him a hit from Sasuke. Naruto whined in pain and cranked back to retaliate, but stopped when he saw the look on his friend's face.

"Saku could possibly walk down the path that Sakura started on. She could fairly easily slip into Sakura's life like a pair of well worn shoes. Wouldn't that be…interesting? I wonder if she'll be happy," Sasuke said with a grin. Jealousy was a powerful thing, and if Kakashi was anything concerning Saku, it was jealous.

Kakashi simply frowned. He knew what Sasuke was trying to do and he wouldn't let it get to him.

He wouldn't.

My thanks to BlueArcticWolf