Author's Note: Hi! Hi! I hope you are still reading this. :)

Chapter 59 – Kakashi's Chapter (Part 3)

Most people would think it was weird that a former teacher and student were going out on a date. But it wasn't. She hadn't been my student in six years and when she was my student and for four years after she was my student I did not have any non-platonic feelings for her. I didn't develop romantic feelings for her until after she broke up with Sasuke and I had to spend a lot of time with her in hopes she could not do anything drastic. How could a guy not fall for her after being around her all the time?

We were out walking my dogs one night after she stopped by after work. She was always good to come by and walk the dogs with me even though she worked a lot. We were talking about good places to eat I had wanted to ask her out for a while but never felt right about it or found the opportunity. This was the perfect time to try.

"I promise the Yakiniku Q is a very good. I could take you if you wanted to go," I offered.

"You'd take me?"

"Yeah. My treat."

"Okay, that'd be fun. When would you want to do it?"

"Friday night?"

"Sure! Oh, wait, isn't that Valentine's Day?"

"Oh, it is, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Don't you have a date or something?" She asked me.

"Only with you if you want to go that night," I hoped she understood what I was saying.

"You want me to be your date?" She seemed very shocked. I nodded. I hoped I hadn't ruined everything.

"Sure. I'd like that," She smiled.

"Good. I can pick you up from the hospital and then we can go," I said. She agreed.

Friday came. I went to her hospital and waited for her in the waiting room. She came out all dressed in pink.

"Kakashi-sen- I mean…" She was obviously trying to adopt a new way to greet me.

"You can still call me 'Kakashi-sensei' if you want to, Sakura," I told her.

"Well…it would be easier but it is kind of weird to say I'm going out with a sensei," She kind of laughed. I shrugged.

"You can just call me 'darling'," I joked.

"Okay, Kakashi-darling," She laughed.

We left the hospital and made it to Yakiniku Q just in time to arrive with the crowd. Luckily, I called ahead and set a reservation.

"Name," the hostess did not look up.

"Hatake," I answered.

"Okay, follow me," She finally looked up. I saw her blush. She led us to our table and was much more eager to assist us.

"So what should we have, Kakashi-darling?" She asked me still giggling a little. I chuckled as well.

"The salted beef tongue with Welsh onion is the best," I informed her.

"Then let's get that," She easily trusted me.

"Kakashi?" I heard someone say my name. I turned and saw her. Why was she here?

"Hanare," I stood up to greet her. She hugged me.

"I haven't seen you since you left the business. How have you been doing?" She asked.

"Good. I'm a teacher for real now. What about you? Still into acting?"

"Oh, I got out of that. It was kind of hard as you know but now I'm pharmaceutical rep."

I was very glad she got out of the business. It was not the best way to make a living. Hanare deserved a much better life than that of an adult film star.

"Oh, who is this?" Hanare gestured to Sakura.

"Hanare, this is Sakura, my date. Sakura, this Hanare, my old colleague," I introduced the two.

"Nice to meet you," Sakura shook Hanare's hand.

"You too. You're really young," Hanare got close to Sakura's face, "How old are you?"

"Twenty-four," Sakura answered. Hanare looked at me with a smirk. I knew what she was thinking.

"So young. Were you a student of his?" She asked.

"Six years ago," Sakura answered. Hanare's smirk got wider.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a nurse."

"A former student and a nurse. You haven't changed, Kakashi," She laughed, I glared at her.

"Don't you have a date to get back to?" I felt annoyed.

"Oh, yes. I was just coming back from the restroom. You should meet him, Kakashi. He is the most passionate man I've ever met. His wife died a few years back and he is all about loving in the now," She gushed.

"Who is it?" I asked. She pointed to a table. I wanted to laugh when I saw it was none other than Might Gai. I knew him form parent-teacher meetings over his stepson Rock Lee.

"Gai-sensei," I heard Sakura say.

"You know him?" Hanare asked Sakura.

"Yeah. I used to take his martial arts class."

"Really? What a small world," Hanare smiled, "Well, I better get back to Gai. I don't want him to worry too much. It was good to see you Kakashi and meet you Sakura."

Hanare went to Gai. Our waitress immediately appeared, took our order and left. Sakura and I were alone.

"So you guys used to work together?" Sakura referred to Hanare.

"Yeah back in the old days."

"I thought I recognized her. Wasn't she in that His Secretary?" Sakura asked. I blushed.

"Yeah, but you know that was a long time ago."

"I know," She smiled.

"So how was work today?" I changed the subject.

"Good. No one got sick on me," She laughed, "How was school?"

"Overflowing with couples trying to outdo the romance with each other."

"Aw. What was the most romantic gesture?"

"Most would say the boy who sang a love ballad and gave his girl roses in the middle of lunch, but I have to disagree. There's been a boy who ignores all girls but this one student never gives up. I saw him put a rose on her desk when no one was around."

"That's so sweet," Sakura sighed with a smile.

"Any at your work?"

"There wasn't much romance in the pediatrics area. I got some chocolate and valentines but that was about it with romance at my work."

"Here is your food," our waitress presented the food and left.

"This looks great!" Sakura exclaimed then began to eat. We had a good dinner and she came back to my place to walk the dogs with me. We talked a lot and after we took the dogs back I started to walk her home.

"I had a lot of fun, tonight," She told me as we neared her house.

"I did too."

"We should do this date thing again," She made me smile.

"I'd like that."

"Maybe we could go to the movies next time."

"Anything you want."

"Great. Here's my house."

We had arrived. She began to go for her keys. I walked her to her porch.

"Good night, Kakashi-darling," She still giggled at the new name.

"Good night, Sakura," I smiled. I knew most guys would have tried to kiss her then but I didn't want to rush things.

Sakura and I went out a few more times. By our fourth date she began to hold my hand and by our tenth, we kissed. It was a mere peck but it was great. Sometimes she seemed distant especially if we went to the park. She always tried to avoid certain areas. I knew it was because that was where she and Sasuke had spent much time. Even though it had been years, I knew her heart was still had the fresh wound of Sasuke's breakup. But still. I want to be with her and take care of her.

Sakura's parents knew we were dating but I could suspect that Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha knew. I knew Sakura had not told her friends. I didn't really tell mine either. So I did not know how Shisui Uchiha learned about our relationship.

"Kakashi," He appeared one day at my apartment.

"Shisui?" I barely remembered him.

"Could I speak with you?" He asked. I agreed and let him into my apartment.

"I know you and Sakura are dating right now."

"Yeah," I didn't deny it.

"I want you to stop."

"Stop?" I snorted.

"Yes. You're too old for her and it is weird for her to be dating her former teacher," He stated. I smiled to him.

"Did she reject you?" I asked. He turned red.

"I…"

"Shisui, Sakura will date who she wants to date. She wants to date me her ancient, former teacher. I can't really stop her."

"You could. You just have to stop going out with her. It's very easy."

"But I still want to date her so I can't do that."

He scowled.

"Kakashi, I'm in love with Sakura. I want to be with her. Please, back off."

He was very aggravating.

"I'm sorry but no."

"I'm who's best for her!"

"You?"

"Yes. I can take care of her and make her happy."

"I can too."

"Not like I can," Shisui was adamant.

"You'll only make her happy because you look like your cousin Sasuke. No matter what you do, she will think of him. She can't be with an Uchiha unless it is Sasuke."

He knew I was right.

"To be with anyone remotely resembling Sasuke would only lead to her thinking of him. She loved him so damn much after all. She loved him more than life. She will always love him," I stopped myself. I realized then that my words were too true.

"I think you should leave," I stood up and gestured to the door.

"I will not give up on her. Uchihas are not quitters," Shisui stated and then left me alone to further reflect on what I had realized. Sakura would not ever love me like she had loved Sasuke. Deep down I knew this all along but I just pushed it from my mind beause I liked Sakura. I was just like Naoki in Icha-Icha. Sakura was Misaki and Sasuke was Akihiro. If this went like Icha-Icha, they would be back together and I would end up with some nameless side character. But Misaki was happy and Naoki was happy and supportive. If I was going to be a Naoki I had to be a full blown Naoki.

When Sakura and I met for dinner later that night, I knew I had to let her go.

"Sakura, we need to talk."

"What is it, Kakashi-darling?"

"I'm going to be direct. Do you still love Sasuke?"

She froze.

"Be honest," I urged her.

"I'm sorry…but yes," She looked away from me. I sighed.

"Okay then I think we should stop this."

"But I really like you."

"And I you but if you still love Sasuke then we shouldn't be together. I will support you and Sasuke like I used to. So let's break up and be friends."

She smiled to me and held my hand.

"Kakashi-darling, you are a wonderful man. Thank you."

And that was the end of my romantic relationship with Sakura Haruno but the beginning of our even deeper friendship.

Author's Note: Betty-hime, I hope you feel better and get lots of rest. I hope this chapter keeps you somewhat entertained.

Elianna, YOU ARE ON TOP OF ME! lol