Hey. Was in Malaysia. Dats why I updated late lol. Plz read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and the rest of its characters and do not make any profit nor do I wish too. They are respected and rightly owned to Mr. Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 6

The view of the lush green trees down below were getting smaller as the two people slowly hiked on a certain high area before reaching to their destination. The sun's rays were luckily reduced by the thick leaves of trees that were above them, but that did not stop them from scorching its way on the sensitive nape of their necks. The smell of the wet grass continuously wafted through their noses, but it didn't bother them much besides the heat. And, oh yes, one of them isn't wearing any pants.

" It's a bit too hot today." Kakashi said gruffly, rubbing his wet mask. It was around ten in the morning, but he was already sweating like a dog.

The pink haired girl gave no reply instead she continued breathing a little harder than usual because of the heat and the soil was getting slippery and harder to climb as they make their way to the top. She released her pink hair and retied it again on a high bun.

Kakashi gave an exasperated sigh.

" Aw, come on Sakura, you're still mad at me?" Kakashi asked.

Sakura evil-eyed him and crossed her arms. She felt self conscious and revolted as she crossed her arms she could feel the wetness of her armpits due to the stupid heat soaking her pink top.

" Besides." Kakashi said, and he eyed again at her pant-less state.

" I haven't seen a design like that. I like polka dotted panties."

Sakura blushed and pounded his back.

" Shut up! I didn't ask for your opinion on my selection of underwear."

" Calm down, but I was serious. They're innocent yet sexy." Kakashi said thoughtfully.

" Like I said, it is not funny. You were laughing your head off." Sakura said childishly.

" But I'm not mad about that." Sakura burbled. " I'm mad that they took all my stuff, all my necessities, my clothes…"

" I was not laughing at your not-wearing any pants." Kakashi said seriously, though his mouth was dangerously twitching again. " I'm just laughing because it'd look funny, you were fighting all that time, WITH NO PANTS. Tee hee."

" God, you're happy today." Sakura rolled her eyes.

" Sure am. Now, if you don't get your butt moving, we're gonna arrive there later." Kakashi said. " Watch out for that thick branch, there's yucky stuff underneath if you lose your footing."

" Roger." Sakura said lamely, and continued following in his footsteps as they were nearing to the top.

In a few hours, they had made managed to make their way to the top, as soon as they did make the top Sakura took one look at the small blurry green of trees below her and nearly fainted. Kakashi just removed his green vest and lay under the shade to catch his breath. The heat was making both of them extremely more thirsty and tired than usual.

Kakashi took out his canteen and drank his gulps calmly although through his movement he was quite thirsty for it. Sakura did the opposite, since the sneaky robbers who didn't attack neither of them took her stuff away, she had to share Kakashi's water. Her eyes hungrily waited for Kakashi to drink his water, when he was done, Sakura grabbed it and viciously poured the liquid down her mouth in extreme thirst.

Sakura released the tight bun that was straining her pink hair freely and just let her numb body relax on the not so soft grass. She was disappointed when it didn't make her feel better, at the top, there were not thick trees and the sun's ray were burning every part of her body, now her eyes. She rolled on stomach and just lay there for a while. Then she rolled for the fun of it and kept rolling till she was at Kakashi's side.

" Having fun rolling?" Kakashi asked amusedly.

" Yep, you should try it. Lessens up the heat stinging on your back." Sakura said cheerfully before twitching in pain as the sun was prickling at a spot between her shoulder. " Ugh, what the hell is going on here? It's supposed to be freaking cool, we're at a HILL. Why is it so hot?"

" We're not exactly at a hill. It is merely a higher than the ground path we have to cross in order to go to the village. We have to descend next." Kakashi explained.

" Awww man. And I thought I was going to die while hiking. This will kill me for sure." Sakura said annoyed.

Kakashi didn't reply, he just leaned in the shade of the tree and closed his eyes.

" I wonder what Hinata and Naruto are doing. I bet they had an awesome party." Sakura complained.

" Oh, they did. I talked to Shikamaru on wireless. He said they were ecstatic and told me that they thank you for your present." Kakashi said fruitlessly.

" Oh, how'd you and Shikamaru get on wireless?" Sakura raised her pink eyebrow.

" He was nearby. On another mission, two nights after we got robbed. I don't know what rank it was, but it was in that area, the dangerous one, probably where those thieves came from." Kakashi explained.

" You know, speaking of which, we haven't actually discussed the guy that

is you know maybe trying to kill me? I mean do you have any idea who or why?" Sakura asked.

" Not really. We need more clues. This guy's good, whoever he is. He left no trace whatsoever, except one fatal mistake, he left one person alive. That is why we need to rush there as quickly as possible, it is not impossible he might try to kill the medic again before she opens her mouth." Kakashi said with thought.

" Uhuh. I wonder why he killed them though. I mean no offense or anything, but they're medics. They're not hokages or anything…" Sakura mused loudly.

" Lots of reasons actually. I could suggest many, but perhaps, they ARE medics. The killer must need something, which medics have. And I guess, his search has no success so far, and he didn't want anyone to say anything. So he made sure those he asked-possibly threatened- lie dead, except of course for one." Kakashi explained.

Both lay silent on the hot grass, but both were so into their thoughts that it was silent without any complaints or mumblings. Sakura furrowed her even eyebrows as she is trying to put all the pieces together. She really didn't know what could be so important that they had to kill someone, a medic, for god's sake? And whoever they are…

" I'm hungry." Sakura moaned after a few minutes. " When do we get to the village?"

" If we hurry, we'll get there by dusk, before nightfall hopefully." Kakashi said quietly.

" Uggh, stupid bastards, they HAVE to steal my clothes, then they took our food as well!" Sakura cursed.

" Are you always this emotional?" Kakashi smirked. " Since you're sooo hungry. Why don't we start descending?"

" Hmm. Let's go." Sakura said.

" Oh yeah, I'll have to lend you my shorts. We don't want to cause any attention with you arriving half naked."

" Thanks." Sakura said sweetly before rolling her eyes. " And I am not half naked." Sakura with no real intention kicked her right leg gracefully into the air, giving Kakashi a broader view on her smooth creamy long legs. Kakashi coughed in order to pull himself together.

Sakura must have realized what she was unintentionally doing because she dropped her right leg down and looked at the ground in embarrassment. Damn it, she freaking flashed at her sensei! She diverted the awkward silence towards tying her long pink hair into a ponytail. Little did she know that Kakashi too was cringing in silence, god he caught her staring at her legs? But he couldn't help it, besides her legs were quite nice. He gathered all his thoughts and started walking, and Sakura too began to descend on the cliff full of thick trees.

" Oh Kakashi, that's what I was annoyed by the way, why didn't you give me your shorts before?" Sakura hissed.

" They're huge. Trust me, they'll hang so low on your hips, if I gave you them earlier, it'd be pointless, you'd want to remove them. So, I'll give it to you before we arrive at the town okay?" Kakashi said fruitlessly.

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Just as Kakashi had predicted, Sakura could see an outline of small huts and buildings around 100 yards away from the steep, sloppy path where they were walking. She saw farmers taking their cows back inside the wooden huts as the night was falling. And soon, shouts of little children playing and their mom's shouting for them to come home could be heard as Kakashi and her were approaching nearer.

The village, Sakura had noticed, was cramped between two slope-like spaces between two hills. She could see the buildings were getting higher as they were walking steps to the center of the village. Thatched huts, small houses stood tightly next to each other crowdedly, and Sakura could see different pairs of eyes watching two dirty strangers enter their town.

When they had gotten to the center of the village, it was the only flat land with shops, and small buildings lined in a square with a statue and the hidden hills symbol stuck on the plates in the middle. The mix of orange and blue as nighttime was settling in made the place look somehow romantic, not only was it sort of dark, only the lights from the stores were on. The smells of dinner from café's and stores were wafting from one section of the street. Sakura's mouth watered in hunger. She looked hopefully at the street, not far from them. She found her feet walking by itself towards that place, but a gentle hand grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.

" Not yet. We have to report to the Hidden Hills Office. Identify ourselves, and then we'll be given a place to stay and food, if they're nice enough not to let us spend our own money." Kakashi said dryly.

" Ugh fine." Sakura scrunched up her face in annoyance but followed him suit anyway.

They made their way through a crowded pack of people and headed for a small-but the biggest building in the village- building with the Hidden Hills Symbol and some words she couldn't make out from afar. When they entered the office, it was hectic as everyone had finished their work and was busy packing to go home. A grouchy security man asked who they were and they explained they were from Konoha. The grouchy man then sent them immediately to the office.

Sakura felt even more weary when she entered the bright room full of white lights, of course spending several nights in darkness, her eyes reacted badly and she had to squint to see everything. The fatigue too was getting to her head. There stood an old man, in his fifties, looking worn out from the day as well. He was quite chubby, and bald, his furry eyebrows met together and he readjusted his glasses while putting his feet and leaning his head back, creating a squeak of tension in the maroon office chair. He saw both of them and immediately resumed to his normal, and formal sitting position.

He scratched his baldhead in annoyance when he saw Sakura and Kakashi enter the office. Sakura had a sense of understanding why he felt that way, after a busy day of work, just as he was about to leave the office, people came in to delay your time.

Kakashi bowed respectively at the man and Sakura did the same.

" Good evening, Lord Sudaigo-san, we are very sorry to not have arrived earlier." Kakashi said sincerely.

" It does not matter, you were late. You were lucky I decided to take it slow tonight, otherwise I wouldn't be here." Lord Sudaigo said roughly. " Hatake…" Lord Sudaigo readjusted his glasses again and eyed the silver haired masked man and then finally, to Sakura. He nodded to Sakura in a way that important people does, when they know you, but not know you enough.

" Right, getting to the point. You are to stay at the Suzie's Inn, your hokage, lady Tsunade had made arrangements. And tomorrow you are to report here but at the ninja investigation department. They'll fill you in everything there, and you can start your investigation. I wish you success, Hatake." Lord Sudaigo concluded.

"Thank you, sir for benefiting us with all these privileges, Lady Tsunade has also sent with me a scroll delivered to you." Kakashi said, and he pulled a scroll out of one of his pocket in his green jounin vest.

" Yes, you may go." Lord Sudaigo, trying to sound commanding but one could tell that the man was very exhausted.

Both Sakura and Kakashi bowed before leaving the office, exited the building and make their way to Suzie's inn. To Sakura's delightfulness, the small but cozy inn was located at the end of the street where the food vendors and restaurants are. Sakura's stomach was twisting in hunger and suddenly she felt the urge just to hurry in there because Kakashi's pants, that were too big and long for her, seemed like it was about to fall off any minute.

A pale, middle-aged woman sat on the reception counter, smoking while writing something. There smell of incense lingered in the reception area.

" You're ninjas, right?" She eyed Kakashi curiously. She opened a drawer and pulled out two keys and handed them to Kakashi. " Arrangements are done. Enjoy your stay."

Kakashi mumbled thanks and proceeded to climb up stairs to go to their room. Their room was in the middle of the hallway. Kakashi handed a key to Sakura.

" Your room next to mine, anything unlikely happens. It'll be easier. You can go to eat if you want, I'd love to accompany you, but I have to send important letters to Tsunade. Get some sleep, oh yeah." Kakashi said. He pulled something out of his pockets and handed a pile of notes to Sakura.

"Huh?" Sakura said confusedly, when she was given a pile of cash.

" Clothes, Sakura, you don't have any remember? Just pay me later." Kakashi said hurriedly, he said good night quickly and shut the door behind him.

Sakura opened her room with the key and was relieved that the room too has not been invaded by the smell of strong incense that was suffocating her as she came here. Sakura felt relieved, but she had a couple of things to do, so she immediately stripped off her clothes and happily ran into the shower.

As she was leathering her hair that she hadn't washed for several days, which is a lot, her mind went back on its curiosity of wondering why that woman downstairs was eyeing Kakashi. She was ogling him top to bottom. Wonder what's so interesting? Ha, she was kidding herself. Perhaps she thinks he's a very attractive man. Sakura wouldn't know. Him being her teacher and everything, it seems kind of inappropriate, to start seeing Kakashi in that way.

Her stomach whining for food made her shower shorter. So, she quickly dried herself and changed herself back into the dirty clothes and she went out to eat just at a store nearby. Sakura tried very hard to ignore the eyes that was glaring at her in curiosity at her brown and torn clothes, she probably looked like a girl who'd gotten assaulted. She ate quickly and decided to buy a pack of dinner for Kakashi; once she was done she went to another street to buy appropriate clothes for tomorrow. The saleswoman eyed her torn clothes as well, but forgot about it as soon as Sakura started piling clothes in the paying counter.

She bought jeans, pants, skirts and plain tops so tomorrow she wouldn't look so horrible in front of important people like Lord Sudaigo. She couldn't stop thinking how hungry Kakashi is, so she hurried on with a large bag of her new clothes in one hand and the other the hot packet of Kakashi's dinner back to the inn.

Sakura huffed heavily with the heavy bag, she slowly made her way up to the floor, her feet scuffling trying not to fall. Something caught her eyes as she came closer. It was that woman they had met earlier, she was wearing something much more revealing- a red shirt that was wide open in the chest to be exact- and was obviously trying to seduce someone, her lips painted blood red and continuously pouting, her hips swung at an angle, near Kakashi's door.

OH GOD! It is Kakashi's door. And, it is indeed open, and the man himself is talking to this woman! Inner Sakura's head screamed inside Sakura's head. She felt confused and awkward, should she interrupt them? Should she leave and come back later? She does not want to witness some canoodling between some bimbo and Kakashi. And yet, Sakura felt her feet being super-glued to the floor, all she could do was stupidly watch in disappointment at herself for looking a like a stupid girl.

" Sakura?" Kakashi's masked head peeked further into the hallway, the slim middle aged bimbo staring at Sakura as if she was a five-year-old who's just interrupted something important. Get over it, I'm not sleeping in a room knowing there's some ACTIVITIES going on next door. Ugh.

" Um, I brought you dinner." Sakura felt herself croaking, what was wrong with her? She questioned herself.

" But uh," Sakura continued. " You can always uh, come into my room and uh, get it, the food I mean."

" I'll have it now, thank you." Kakashi's black eye still staring at her, with that look. Which Sakura knew too well, it means he knows that she's embarrassed like hell.

Sakura handed the package to Kakashi, the woman with hawk eyes, crossing her arms.

" Thanks for your offer, Suzie, but I have a lot of work to do. Thank you and good night Sakura." Kakashi said, ruffling his silver hair and closing his wooden door behind him.

Now only Sakura and the woman-Suzie- was standing there in the hallway.

" Um, I'll be going now, good night." Sakura said sheepishly.

She opened her door, pushed the heavy bag that was suddenly heavy again into the room and shut the door.

Sakura immediately changed into her newly bought pyjamas before sinking into the soft bed, she rolled around, inhaling the fresh smell of the pillows and blanket. She curled herself into a ball, the weather was twice as cold as it is in Konoha. And it was still early in the year too. Her thought immediately drifted back to Kakashi. Many questions popped into her head. Would Kakashi have let her in if Sakura hadn't interrupted? Sakura felt weird, she didn't know why, she assumed it was because he is her former teacher. So it is odd finding your sensei getting an offer from some woman who probably sleeps with all the guests that she finds good looking.

But it is just so weird, Inner Sakura wouldn't stop pointing that out. She didn't know woman would go this far, just to sleep with Kakashi. She wasn't used to seeing women, ugh not even one woman pick up Kakashi. Sakura just felt, odd.

Sakura's mind couldn't also help trailing back to Kakashi, Sakura had finally notice that he was not wearing anything except a ragged old pants and the stretchy under suit, he had removed his vest and black suit. He looked, hot. But it's still odd for Sakura to think like that, before she finally settled down into a peaceful slumber.

That's it odd, nothing more than that, cos he's my teacher.

TBC

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A/N: Not too horrible of a chapter I hope? Kakashi's character is the hardest to write, bear with me please! Plz read and review. Not much of Kakashi and Sakura, but there will be soon. It did start though, cos Sakura felt weird seeing her teacher getting picked up by a woman lol. Read and review people.

Nops