Yay! Thank you to everyone who reviewed my humble little story! Much appreciated! My plot outline for this fic is three pages long and as of yet I'm only on page one! Hope you all don't mind a long story. I can't wait to get to the next few chapters! That will be where the story really starts to get going! I am having so much fun writing and figuring this thing out so I again want to say THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING!! Your spur me to write new chapters that much faster!:-)

Note: I am not going to make a big deal over the age difference in this story because in Japan and many Asian cultures age is not the big deal it is here in the States. I mean the age of consent in Japan is 13 for crying out loud! Although I read there are rules against adults having sex with minors I think its still 17 and not eighteen even though an adult is considered to be 20. . . Man that's confusing. Anyway, bottom line "age not big deal, emotional barriers are" Kapeesh? (Still don't know how to spell that) so I that's that for anyone who has questions about people not thinking "oh my! They're 14 years apart!"

On with the ridiculous attempts at levity by punning chapter titles!

Chapter 11: Of Masks and Men

Sakura stayed at Kakashi's all day. He made them both a humble dinner of rice, vegetables and fish, which Sakura was surprised to discover she found rather tasty. After waking up earlier that afternoon Sakura had finally regained enough chakra to heal herself so she could walk comfortably and also performed the extremely unnerving and upsetting task of checking her body to ensure Ryu hadn't gotten her pregnant. She was more then a little relieved to find herself clear of babies and had lain back exhausted on the bed until she sense Naruto's chakra coming towards Kakashi's house. Since Kakashi had poofed into her room scaring the shit out of her she had allowed herself to drain all of her feelings out to him. She was completely surprised at how comfortable she felt talking to Kakashi. Sure she had had lots of chats with him, sometimes about serious topics, but the fact that she was able to share something of this magnitude with no fear or even the desire to hold anything back was wonderful and in itself cathartic. She still felt vulnerable and a little frightened even, but after talking with Kakashi all day, at least in her head she knew that she was, and would be ok. Her heart was a long ways behind her head, but she new in time it would catch up.

After their meal they sat back on the couch and talked of other things, the small petty little things that make up life and make wonderful small talk with which to forget one's problems. Top of the list happened to be Sakura's mask.

"Um Kakashi, where do you get your masks anyway? I don't suppose there is a Mask-Mart or Masks R' Us anywhere around here is there," Sakura asked smiling.

"Actually I have a tailor," Kakashi answered, "When you wear a mask all the time it's important that it fits correctly so it can be comfortable. As you and Naruto know I often where two layers of masks. This is in case anyone happens to accidentally pull it down or just to annoy any students you might have who constantly try to see your face."

"I see," Sakura said flatly.

"I can take you to see him whenever you're ready. I suggest you think carefully what material and colors you want. You'll want to have some for winter and some for summer, some that you will be able to eat or drink through. Stuff like that. I can make some suggestions for you," Kakashi suggested.

"Yeah! I've eaten with you a million times now! How do you eat through that thing? Your so fast I can never tell!" Sakura asked intrigued.

"Well the secret lies in doubling up the masks. I have a slit over the mouth part of each mask that are slightly off from one another so using my speed I can move the slits to be right on top of the other and quickly shove the food in. I use masks that are both black for eating so that it no one notices the slit. And if worse comes to worse they only see the inside of my mouth," Kakashi said crinkling an eye, "But sometimes I do just lower it to eat if I feel like it. It gives people a shock."

"Kakashi, why did you let Ayumi and her father see your face that time when Sasuke, Naruto and I took you out but you never let us see it," Sakura asked feeling a bit hurt.

"Sakura," Kakashi replied. " Everyone who wears a mask or covers their face has their own rule for who they show their face too if ever. To tell you the truth, Ayumi saw my face as a child before I started to wear a mask and so did her father. I thought that annoying you three was worth letting them see it again after so long. I choose to use my mask to keep myself mysterious and intriguing."

"Kakashi there's more to it then that," Sakura said quietly, "I think I understand now part of why you wear a mask. You feel able to show that side of yourself to acquaintances rather than teammates because we mean more to you. Letting us see your face would give us a glimpse of your real self and create a bond much more intimate then we have, whereas letting people who don't matter much to you see it makes you less interesting to them because the mystery is gone. You're effectively using your mask to hide yourself in plain sight."

"You're a little too good at intuiting things Sakura," Kakashi said feeling uncomfortable. This conversation was heading into uneasy territory that Kakashi had not had to come across for some time. He was terribly confused as well because although he felt like he should be upset or worried about her understanding him so well he just felt . . . relief. He wanted to share more with her. He yearned to get closer to her, to someone who really understood him better then anyone did who was still alive. It was a joy talking to her and it confounded him. He kept telling himself that he should push her away, stop the seriousness with a wry sarcastic comment and change the subject. But he couldn't. Kakashi was afraid of changes in his personal life and this looked to be a pretty damn big one. He longed to get closer to Sakura in every meaning of the word, but he had the feeling that if he did it would be all to easy to slip away one way or the other and he didn't know if it was worth the risk letting someone get that close again.

But as he had said earlier, there are two people that make up a relationship and although both were afraid of the change, both yearned for it as well. Two lonely souls were reaching for each other, and neither would be strong enough to fight it for long.

"I hope someday if you show me your face it will be to bring us closer rather then drive us apart," Sakura said shyly looking at her knees and then quickly into his eye an back to her knees, "I believe my approach to my mask will be slightly different. I will only show my face to those I am close to, to bring them closer and let them know how dear to me they are. From now on my face will only be shown to those I most care about, the five most important people in my life."

"Five?" Kakashi asked quietly.

"My mother and father, Naruto, Tsunade and . . . you," Sakura said softly looking into his eye again.

"Sakura. . ." Kakashi began staring back into those beautiful green eyes that he had seen filled with thousands of emotions over their adventures together. From giddiness, to anger, to puppy love, to anguish, pleasure to pain, but never quite the look she had now. He honestly could not place it as it was something that had never quite been directed at him before in his life. It thrilled and frightened him, as no enemy had ever been able to accomplish.

"Kakashi. . ." Sakura said back feeling almost as if their thoughts were bumping into each other's minds.

Quietly without speaking a word Kakashi lifted his hand slowly to his mask not removing his eyes for one second from Sakura. He slipped his finger underneath the fabric and slowly began pulling it down from his face.

Sakura watched in awe as her former sensei's face came into full and glorious view for the first time. Even after all the years of wondering from big lips to buck teeth it was as if she knew what he would really look like all the time. His mask revealed a straight nose and sensuous mouth and strong chin with a little stubble on it since he hadn't shaved for a day or two. It was so familiar yet exotic and everything she'd hoped and knew it would be. It was a man's face with no femininity to it. Kakashi would be a hideous woman, but he made one hell of a man.

Unable to look away, Sakura reached for Kakashi's hand and held it tightly tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"Am I that hideous you have to comfort me and start crying?" Kakashi said quietly making a feeble attempt at a joke to lessen the intense emotions of the moment.

"Don't be a fool Kakashi," Sakura mumbled still unable to look away.

They sat like that for a long time. Studying each other's face and holding hands. After all their combined years, and experiences and even after the terrible events that they had been through the previous night and throughout their lives this was the most intimate and frightening one for either and neither wanted it to end or be the one to end it. After all it was ended for them when a loud knock came at the door and they both jumped about 4 feet into the air and into ready stances prepared to fight.

Laughing at their foolishness, Kakashi hurriedly pulled up his mask and motioned Sakura to get out of sight. Walking to the door, he opened it to find a senbon smiling Genma and a cigarette smoking Asume standing on his doorstep.

"Kakashi! You said you'd come out with us as soon as you got back! I know you're always late but I think two days is a bit much even for you," Genma said toying with his metal toothpick.

"Come on Kakashi, come out and tell us how your mission went. Gai's already waiting at the bar." Asume put in.

"Well I was considering going but that settles it," Kakashi replied smartly, " I'm staying home."

"Why'd you mention Gai, asshole!" Genma shouted at Asume.

"Sorry!" Asume said looking guilty.

"Hey Kakashi, is there someone in there with you? I sense someone in your apartment?" Genma asked smiling broadly twisting this way and that to peer past Kakashi and get a better look at the inside.

"Crap!" thought Sakura realizing she forgot to hide her chakra and realizing she still wore Kakashi's clothes.

"Crap!" thought Kakashi as he realized Sakura hadn't hidden her chakra and she still wore his clothes.

"Isn't that Sakura's chakra?" Asume asked raising an eyebrow at Kakashi's reaction to Genma's statement.

"Yep, it's the new about Sasuke, she's real torn up about it and we're having a chat so, so sorry I can't go out but maybe tomorrow ok? BYE!" Kakashi said hurriedly crinkling an eye at them and slamming the door.

"Damn well that reaction probably just made them more curious," Kakashi thought mournfully. I can't think straight right now!

"Well now I'm really curious," said Genma to Asume as they walked puzzled away to go tell Gai Kakashi wasn't coming.

"That was a bit odd," Asume replied not nearly as interested as Genma.

"I'm going to keep an eye on those two," Genma thought cheerfully being a lady freak and sensing romance in the air, " 'bout time they both got a little action. It's been years since Kakashi got any and Sakura's turned into one hot little lady and a teenager at that. They're always horny little things, at least the one's he knew."

Perking up at that thought Genma said, " Hey Asume, since Kakashi's not coming I think I'm going to go find some lady's. Send Gai my regards!"

"Wai-" Asume started to say as Genma flashed away leaving him alone on the sidewalk. "Damn you Genma, I don't want to spend all night with Gai weeping over Kakashi's absence by myself."

He couldn't really be mad though, if he hadn't been preoccupied with lighting another cigarette he probably would have ducked out on Genma himself. Chuckling quietly he made his way to the bar, resigning himself to a night filled with "good guy" gestures and teary eyes.

"Kakashi?" Sakura said peeking from behind the corner of his hallway. " Wasn't the way you got rid of them gonna make them think we're in here having sex?"

"No, just Genma, and he'd think that no matter who I had in here," Kakashi said nonchalantly yet secretly slightly worried. He wasn't even sure how he felt yet. Whatever was between Sakura was very tender and new and he wasn't ready for people, even just Genma to be figuring them to have sex. He new if it even ever came to that, sex would be a ways off for Sakura after what happened with that bastard.

"Good," said Sakura relieved. " Kakashi, I know it's early but I'm really tired."

"Of course," Kakashi said, " Take my bed again. I'll make up the couch for myself."

"Are you sure?" Sakura said hesitantly, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"You won't be," Kakashi replied lying slightly.

"Well, thanks for everything," Sakura told him, then smiling coyly as she turned down the hall to his room adding quietly but loud enough so she knew he'd hear, "you gorgeous creature."

Stunned and not quite sure why because he knew he was, Kakashi laid down on the couch and pulled out the new copy of Icha Icha that had lain forgotten in his pouch since the previous night.

"Finally a close relationship to which I know and understand the rules. Come my old friend! Lead me astray!" Kakashi thought settling into the story.

You like? You hate? I have them only holding hands cause Sakura's not ready for more then that right now. I am trying to get across the feelings I had when I met my husband for the first time. We were instantly close and I felt unafraid to tell him things I wouldn't have told others. I know Kakashi and Sakura have known each other for a while but I just think that makes it more likely to happen. Sakura really KNOWS she can trust Kakashi. After future events there may be some awkwardness but as of now this is where things stand. Please R&R!!