Hi you guys. I know that it has been a long time since I've uploaded, but I just couldn't. As an apology I've made this chapter lengthier than the others, so I hope that will help.

Naruto is not my creation, but if it were there would be more Sakura empowerment parts =)!

The carriage looked old and dysfunctional. It had red paint that began to get rusty and the wheels were losing their circular shape. The doors creaked loudly when opened and if a large amount of pressure wasn't added it wouldn't close correctly. The outside, by appearance, showed no signs for a rich arrogant ass; except for the largeness of it and it's interior.

When one got closer, they were able to see that the curtains that fell from the window to give the clan heir his "space" was made of the softest silk there was. The inside, although only fully seen by the owner, could be partially seen when the door was opened. Inside, the carriage had large seats making it comfortable to sit and sleep. The walls inside were embroidered with beautiful golden designs.

The interior design was not left unknown by the two Konoha ninjas who were sent to protect said man. Kakashi could barely stand the man, but as always a customer was a costumer. When ever spoken to he gave the most friendliest of smiles he could muster and assured that everything was going fine. Whenever the man finished directing any questions to him, he continued waking straight ahead while reading his book. This annoyed the client, but that didn't stop Kakashi from reading.

Yamato, although with the same dislike for the man as Kakashi, could see that provoking the man wouldn't help their mission. Kakashi was always one to constrict himself on everything, only showing what he wanted others to see. Even when he was annoyed his emotions were always concealed where only the closest people to him could tell that something was up. Yamato knew that Kakashi was already upset with him and his small outbursts would have not been a surprise. What had been a surprise was how he leashed it out on almost everyone. Although the stoic nin tried to answer like usual, his controlled demeanor was gone. His fake smiles left a malicious linger in the air leaving the future heir to shiver.

The man that they were ordered to escort was showing the great power he had by ordering everyone around. Every other day his loud commands would have been listened to by the white haired nin, but the heir would learn that there were people that should be left alone. He had once tried to command the Copy-nin to fetch him water, being treated as a dog did not go well with Kakashi that in response he had snickered at him. The arrogant had tried again to show his superiority only to have Kakashi lift his hitai-ate up and expose his sharingan. After that their escort directed his orders to the other ninja that was also escorting him, Yamato.

Ino didn't know if what she had done was wrong, but someone had to let her doubts rest. Missions were missions and were "supposed" to be kept on the down low. Ino was a gossiper and a great listener when needed to be and right now she would have listened to whatever her pink friend told her. The only thing was she hadn't spilled anything!

The young blond had noticed something wrong with her friend a long time ago, but she had thought that soon her friend would come willingly and tell what was on her mind. She had been wrong. Even when asking she wouldn't answer. This was frustrating her to say the least.

She had spoken about her worries with her husband. He had told her to wait and she had, but now she couldn't take it anymore. Not getting any information from Sakura, Ino went to the next best person. Tsunade.

She had told the older women Sakura's strange character and her worries. She had thought that it would win Tsunade over to tell her any information she held. As it turns out she was Hokage first before anything else. With a disinterested face the Hokage claimed to know nothing about Sakura's odd character. She had even the nerve to say that it might have been part of her imagination! At that Ino burst saying that seeing Sakura cry in front of her was not something she imagined in broad daylight!

Tsunade had continued with her paperwork and asked Ino to leave if that was all she had to say. She had to hold her tongue to not disrespect her superior, but she did stomp out of her room rather loudly.

After not being able to persuade Tsunade, she went to the only other person who could possibly give her an explanation. The only other person who would understand her worries, Kakashi.

Sakura had told Ino about team 7's relationship including about the famous Copy-nin sensei. The rosette had explained how at first she felt that her sensei didn't put enough time towards her. Sakura, having respect for the man, hadn't put it in those words, but it wasn't hard to guess. Ino had a dislike for the man after that, but Sakura always justified him saying that he always had a good heart towards her and would always be there for her. Now, Ino figured, was the time to show just how well her sensei cared for her.

She knocked at his door once; no answer. Knowing how lazy and tardy the man was she knocked again and again. When no one opened the door she assumed that he was either out or not wanting to open the door. No matter what the reason Ino would not give up that easily. She waited by his door for him to come out or come in.

After fifteen minutes of waiting footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Ino had lifted herself off the floor, hoping that it would finally be Kakashi. She was glad when she saw white hair followed by a masked man appear. Her wait was finally over.

"I can't take this anymore, I need a rest." The man on the carriage yelled from the inside.

"If we stop we won't get to our destination on time." Yamato replied.

"Another day won't change anything. The elders can't do anything without me!"

Kakashi rolled his eyes at the man's comment.

Yamato sighed, "If that is what you want to do Tsutego, we'll have to scout the area before you can get out of the carriage."

The man, Tsutego, disregarded Yamato and came out of the carriage anyway. He stretched out his arms then called for a servant to lay a towel on the floor for him to lay on.

Kakashi was annoyed by the stupid man. He honestly hoped someone would pop out and take the man away; sadly no one ever did.

With that said, Kakashi took a seat near a tree and rested himself. He wasn't tired as their pace wasn't fast at all. However, his mind ran miles since the time he had left the village.

After being given the mission he went back home and had not expected a blond haired women waiting for him. The young Yamanaka didn't waste her time and once inside his apartment went straight to the point.

Kakashi had listened closely to what the blonde had said. He was glad that she had come to speak with him. This reassured him that someone was with Sakura while he was away.

"Do you know why she is acting this way?" The concerned girl asked.

The white haired nin was appreciative by the information that the blonde gave him, but even he knew it wasn't his place to open his mouth on such a subject.

"Your concern for her is for a good reason, but if she hasn't told you then I can't either. She'll open up to you when she's prepared."

Ino thought about his words. Then she came to a conclusion, "She's told you?"

Kakashi lied, "Yes."

Why he had lied to the blonde he didn't understand, but soon it came to him. He hadn't lied. He had already had in mind that the next time he encountered the rosette he would find out everything. He, himself, had once thought that Sakura would eventually come to him and tell him everything that was on her mind.

Now, however, it seemed that she wouldn't spill unless someone didn't push her.

Kakashi believed that he was the one that needed to push her. The blonde was her best friend, but he felt that Ino wouldn't be the right person to whom Sakura would be able to express all her pain, worries, and fears.

Somehow, he thought, that he should be the first to hear Sakura's hardship of the mission. Only he would be able to set things right. This way he would prove that he was meant to have gone to the mission with Sakura, not Yamato.

Kakashi had his mind set. Once he arrived back in Konoha he would speak with Sakura.

Tsunade knew there would be problems that would need fixing after, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad. She had thought that with the two, things would be settled back to the way it was, but now she saw that she was wrong. Those two seemed to have caused another issue for her. Hopefully their time together would be of some help.

With one plan taken into action she needed another one to get started for her apprentice. She wasn't sure if it would work or if it would be detrimental for her, but she needed to try.

Knock, knock. The Hokage, already knowing who it was, allowed the person to come in.

"You called for me Shishou?" The young girl said slowly letting the door close behind her. Tsunade pointed to the girl to sit down.

"Yes, Sakura. We need to do some training."

"Training?" Sakura said stunned. She knew she hadn't learned everything there is to learn, but she wasn't expecting to train today.

"Yes. You know that I see you as a strong girl and I've seen it as we've been together through the years. On most missions your strength and intelligence will surely be beneficial. However, you know that women were not first seen as ninja for combat. Our uses was more for gathering information using equipment that men didn't have. You have experienced this in your previous mission."

Tsunade halted for a while to let the young girl process where this was going.

Sakura quickly mad the connection.

"Although we have great skill I'm fighting," Tsunade continued, "we must not forget the skills that we have to our advantage."

"I already know this." Sakura said with disgust. She already understood well what advantage women possessed in the ninja world.

"You do, but you have forgotten that this is not just a one time thing. There will be other time when you will need to use the same repercussion without being told to do so."

Sakura had been naive to think that she would never have to do such a thing again. She had wanted to believe it so badly.

The honey eyed women softened her firm voice. "When you came to me you wanted to be stronger. You wanted to prove yourself. I have seen you grow and I want to continue seeing it. I'm doing this not only for other missions that may occur, but also for you."

"What do you mean?"

Tsunade sighed. The girl would not admit it to her, so she would take the initiative. "You have always held yourself firm, but its time to get help."

Sakura could no longer look at her Shishou. Wherever she was taking this she didn't like it.

"You've been acting different and people have started to notice. When I saw you come back from the mission I saw something different about you. I thought that it would heal overtime, making you stronger, but now I see that there is some thing else I didn't catch. Something that you haven't told me."

Tsunade waited. For a while she thought Sakura would say something. She knew she couldn't force the girl, but she had wanted her to open up.

Another sigh left the Hokage. "Is there something about the mission you haven't told me?"

Sakura opened her eyes wide. In her report she hadn't added many things because Tsunade had allowed it. She must of thought that she would have told her eventually.

"I see." Was all Tsunade said about that. "Other than that there is also something else your not telling me, isn't there?"

It wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Your fear of men," she said eyes looking directly at the rosette, "has to end. That's why I have set up this training."

"Shishou what are you saying!?"

"I want you to seduce a man."

"What!?" Sakura said standing up. "I-I can't do it."

She was trembling so badly she had to hold on to the chair not to fall.

"You do it if you want to continue being a ninja."

"But Shishou, I can't, please understand!" Sakura's eyes were watery. She could feel them fill out rapidly and then fall down her checks.

Tsunade kept firm. "I've made my decision. You will have two weeks to seduce a man and report back to me. You may choose anyone from the village. However, if you fail, I will have no other option but to release you of your duty."

The young girl felt her heart clench inside. She was enraged at her sensei. She wouldn't do it, she couldn't do it again!

"That is all." Tsunade finished, returning to her paperwork.

Sakura feeling that nothing could be said any more left Tsunade's office.

When Shizune came to the Hokage's office she saw three bottles of empty sake on the floor and Tsunade's head laid on the large table with another almost empty bottle of sake on her hand. She was prepared to scold her for slacking off again, but she stopped.

She had heard something. As she approached closer she heard small whimpers. She was confused as to where they were coming from. As she got closer to the women before her she realized that the noise was coming from her. Bewildered she got close enough as to not disturb the Hokage but have a peek at her face.

She had been crying. There were soaked tear splattered on her face falling all the way to her neck.

Shizune stared in amazement. Tsunade was known for having poor resistance to alcohol, but it had never made her like this. Without understanding what had happened Shizune helped the drunken women to her bed.

The mission was completed. Tsutego was back in his village being the ass that everyone, even his own people, knew him to be. Now the Copy-nin and the Wooden-nin headed back home.

The air around them was a lot more thicker than it had been before. Kakashi did not once directed his eye at Yamato and moved in front of him. Yamato didn't say anything to the white haired man and let him take the lead.

Each movement they made left leaves to rustle, birds to flee, and a thud with each land. That was all that was heard between them. Yamato was comforted by this. He preferred the loudest thing to be the wind than them starting any conversation. For a while he thought that it would continue until they arrived home.

All that ended when they took their first break.

Moving faster than they had done before drained them out. They had traveled full speed with the delay that their escort gave them. They had forgotten that they were only human.

Both sat on opposite trees laying their bodies on the trunk of the trees. They both tried to relax getting as comfortable as they could. Kakashi had successfully laid in a position that gave him the greatest comfort. Yamato still moved, not quite comfortable yet.

The brown haired-nin, however, would never find comfort in the woods near Kakashi.

"I need to ask you something." The Copy-nin said abruptly.

Yamato stopped looking for comfort and moved his eyes to look at Kakashi. The man before him had his hands laid on his legs and his head also laid on the tree trunk looking at the leaves above.

"You- what do you have in mind?"

What did I have in mind? Yamato had no clue what he was referring to.

"What-" Yamato was cut of by Kakashi.

"With Sakura."

Yamato still didn't understand.

"I have tried to separate you from her. Yet you still try to be with her. I don't understand. Why? Don't you see that she's hurting?" His voice held no anger or reproach. It was more distant.

"I know she's hurting. I've tried to separate myself from her, but I can't."

"And why can't you!?" Kakashi almost yelled at the trees. "Why can't you leave her alone?"

There was no response. Kakashi turned his face to look at Yamato and saw him looking at him as well. His eyes had answered everything.

Kakashi closed his eyes. This couldn't be! He stood and began to slowly walk away from Yamato. Letting chakra flow to his feet he headed home.

Yamato yelled after him, but Kakashi didn't turn back.

Kakashi hadn't just run, he had flashed his way through the entrance of Konoha. Yamato who had been following after him, dashed through the entrance as well.

He was worried. The stoic nin had not said a word and this had bothered him. Somehow he had wanted for their differences to end. When Kakashi had looked at him, he knew he couldn't hid it. He didn't want to either. It was suffocating him. He had thought that they this would settle it, but it hadn't.

Now he was running after him. This time he would listen to him. It was time for their feud to end.

Sakura had been sitting on her table, a glass of wine wrapped between her hands. She was never a drinker, but for once she felt she needed it. This was her second drink and she felt it was helping her feel think.

She had two options; seduce a man or throw away all her hard work. It should have been obvious. All the energy she had put in over the years should have screamed at her to go get a man, any man. Her fear was the only thing stopping her.

The rosette slammed her head on table. This was stupid! She thought. The answer was clear, so why didn't she just go with it!?

She screamed in frustration, annoyed at everything; the mission for starting the damn thing, Tsunade for making this stupid training, and herself for not have the courage to face her fear. Her mind kept running around like this until her consciousness could no longer take it anymore.

Tap, tap.

Her head turned from the table at the the sound, slowly opening her sleepy eyes.

Tap, tap.

Her first clear sight of vision was the window in front of her. She could see a figure behind it, but could barely recognize it. In order to clear her obscured vision she rubbed her eyes. To her surprise she saw Kakashi almost in a sit like position behind her window. Standing from the chair she went to the window and opened it letting Kakashi in.

His entrance was terrible. He had slowly passed through the window just to stumble inside and hit the ground. Sakura was directly by his side helping him up and sitting him on the sofa.

"Why is your chakra level so low?" Sakura had asked once she had checked all his vital signs, glad that he wasn't brutally injured.

"I ran here." Was his answer.

"Why would you do that? It looks like you didn't even rest along the way?"

"Sakura there's something I've been hiding from you. I've been meaning to tell you, but I had hoped you had come to me first." His breath came out heavy as he tried to calm his heart beat.

The young girl did not know what her former sensei was talking about and at the moment didn't care. Her medic side had taken over, forcing him to rest.

"I don't need rest." He had retorted.

"Stop making this so hard! You need it after using all of your chakra."

He wasn't listening. He didn't come to get nursed, he came for answers.

"I'll go get you some water." Sakura got up from her seat beside him, but was stopped. Kakashi had his hand gripping her arm.

"We need to talk." His voice was commanding, the same one she had been used to listening to during her genin days.

Reluctantly she sat back down beside him. She eyed her former sensei, seeing how tired and worn out he looked. She was about to tell him to rest again when he spoke.

"I had told you that I had noticed something different about you. I had noticed it when we passed those drunken men after our dinner together and kept noticing small stuff about you ever since." His voice was becoming steadier now.

Sakura listened, unclear on where this was going. "I couldn't stand seeing you like that. When I had asked you-you had shrug me off. I couldn't take it anymore and I went to Yamato."

"Why?"

"He was with you. On the mission."

How did he know this? She thought confused.

Seeming to understand her question he said, "I had overheard about the mission between you and the Hokage. After that I needed to know. I went to Yamato. He told me what he had done to you..."His voiced chocked.

Composing himself he continued, "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you. I should have been there rather than him."

Sakura's eyes were still lost. She continued to listen, but it wasn't clicking. "He told you?"

"Yes."

"He shouldn't have. This was supposes to be kept secret, no one else should have known." Her voice had come out low with confusion still eminent.

"I know it was hard on you. And I can't stand that I wasn't there with you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He held her hand with a strong grip.

Sakura stared at his hands above hers and then turned to his face. She could see that he was hurting. Was he that regretful about not being able to be with her?

"There's no need to apologize." She said putting her other hand above his. "Yamato was there and he..."

"No! He didn't protect you! He took advantage of you!"

Sakura nodded her head vigorously. "No, that's not true. He was the one that helped me to keep my head and be strong throughout the whole mission."

"How can you say that!" He was becoming enraged. It was not at her, but her sense of mind. "Rapping you is not of any help!"

Sakura froze. She didn't want to listen anymore.

"He took your innocence away without thinking about it twice! He's the reason your like this!

She didn't want to hear it. "Stop!" She yelled. "Yamato did what he had to do. He was supportive and helped me along the mission. He has nothing to do with how I've been acting. He has already punished himself enough."

Kakashi was frustrated. She had to stop defending him, it was time for him to open her eyes.

"You have to stop being in denial. Because of him you have become so suspicious of any man that crosses your path. You think that there's another explanation for this!" He calmed himself and spoke again, "I understand that your scared," he said in a softer tone, "but I can help you."

Sakura's eyes had become foggy. She was glad her sensei was worried about her after all those times she had felt worthless to him. But she couldn't allow him to accuse Yamato like that! She wanted to correct him, but that would mean prying into something she had wanted to forget, but never could.

Kakashi's hand moved towards Sakura's face to brush of the tears that rolled down her cheeks. He couldn't help but feel bad for bringing such things up. But it was now or never. She had suffered enough, it was time to let him in.

The strong kunoichi that everyone knew had turned to a fragile little girl and Kakashi could see it. She had lifted both of her hands to land on Kakashi's and continued to cry. She wouldn't stop them. These tears let out all the pain she had suffered and made it somewhat simpler to talk.

What do you guys think? Before you kill me, I have already began the other chapter and I hope, really hope, to get it done and uploaded soon. Reviewing and any comments help, especially those moments when I'm doing nothing and have no motivation to write.

Thanks for reading!

-Zero =D