A/N: Ok, Chapter 6 is here! Boo Yah! alright, some things to know. Just for now...remember this! let me know if it's too confusing. i tried my best to not make it too confusing. Oh and i dont know if i mentioned...but i dont not own Naruto. its a shame really...jk.

'Thoughts'

'Kana's Thoughts'

and obviously, "Speaking"

Chapter 6

A funeral and some memories

Today was the big day. Ok, not in the good way. Today was Monday, which meant that today was the day that Kakashi would bury all the feelings he ever had toward Kana. The love, the memories, the emotions, all of it was going to disappear today. Last night, he and Iruka had some drinks and went down memory lane, exchanging tales about Kana. Some how in there, Kakashi vowed to lock up the emotions and feelings he once had for Kana. Kakashi re-promised to take care of the kids, to fulfill the dreams she had for them.

And now, it was time to get ready. Kakashi had gotten up early, for once. Kakashi looked at the mirror and saw a broken hearted version of himself, he sighed and turned on the shower. After being showered, he got dressed in that dark shirt and dress pants and sat down at the couch…waiting for Iruka to get up. He looked outside, it was dark, and it looked like it was going to rain. No bird sang. The world seemed like a dark place. The only life, being the early bird citizens of Konoha going about their business. It sprinkled against the window, telling Kakashi that it was raining. He watched the droplets slid down the pane, and join together with other droplets.

"How fitting…"He whispered. 'The sky will cry in place of me.' Kakashi sighed. He got up and went down the hall to Kana's room. He had locked the door the night before, not sure he wanted to go in there again. He stared at the cool oak wood that made up the door, wondering if he opened the door that Kana would be asleep like she always was.

"Kakashi!"

Kakashi froze. That was Kana's voice. Was he just imagining things? Did he miss her so much that his mind was starting to hallucinate? Kakashi reached up and felt around for the key to Kana's room on the top of the doorframe.

"Kakashi! Hurry up or I'll leave you behind!" It was her voice again. Kakashi swept his hand back and forth, trying to locate the key quickly. Something brushed up against his hand, it was cold and felt metallic. He snatched the key and hurriedly unlocked the door. When he heard the click of the lock he rushed into her room and turned on the light. His eyes scanned the room.

Nothing.

Kakashi hung his head and sighed. He mentally smacked himself for believing she would be in here. 'Oh well, I'm here now…'He sighed and walked in, closing the door softly behind him. Kakashi lightly tossed the key on her desk, which was cluttered with old books. They were still open and many pages were book marked. The book on top was a light blue color, and the spine read "Health: Things all Medical Ninja need to know". He remembered when she brought it home, saying she was going to memorize it for Sakura. "Sakura is going to be the greatest medical ninja ever! Well, minus Tsunade…I got this book because, I want to be able to teach her something. I'm sort of jealous of Tsunade, she gets to teach my little girl and I don't! " Kakashi remembered her saying that and her loveable giggle right after. He turned away, leaving the book just as it was. His eyes traveled to her bed. It was unmade with papers scattered everywhere. He leaned over and picked one up. It was a list of things to do before you die. He was about to toss it back when a headline caught his attention. It said, "#4: Make Kakashi promise to do #1 through #3" #1 was to take care of the kids. #2 was to teach them EVERYTHING! And #3 was to take care of Kakashi. 'So that's why she had me promise…' He thought dully.

Kakashi sighed and tossed the page and flopped on the bed, ignoring the crunch of papers under him. His head landed on her pillow. He closed his tired eye and took a deep breath. Her strawberry scent plagued the pillow and caused Kakashi to nuzzle deeper into it.

Kakashi felt something cold weave its way around his torso.

"Kakashi…you look so tired. Did I really affect you that much? Could you not sleep at all?" the one voice Kakashi wanted to hear asked softly. Kakashi's eye snapped open. All he could see was black. Everywhere he looked it was black. He looked down and two small arms were wrapped around him.

"Kana?" he asked, looking over his shoulder. He saw the top of Kana's head. She looked up at him with those beautiful blue and green hues. He saw the tears that were welling up in her eyes, which softened as she looked at him.

"Kakashi…I didn't think you would hear me…" He watched her form a smile. Kakashi heard her voice but she didn't move her mouth.

"Is this…a dream?" he asked, watching her move around him so she was now standing in front of him. She was still wearing her jounin outfit, a large gaping hole was where Soga's sword went into her chest. Kakashi could see her skin just behind the hole. "You're…healed." He whispered, as he inspected the 'wound'. His fingers reached through the hole and softly stroked her skin underneath. She felt so real to his simple touch. But Kana didn't seem to hear him and only smacked his hand away.

"I think it is a dream. But it might be one of those, "because I died hallucinations", you know, the ones where the people can't cope with a loss so they imagine the person that they loss to tell them everything will be all right and work it self out. But I'm just glad to see you!" She smiled and jumped up wrapping her arms around Kakashi's neck burying her face into his shoulder. Instantly, Kakashi placed his arms around her small form, keeping her there. She clung to him, holding him tighter. "I'm sorry…that I left you...I wish I would have been stronger. When I saw that sword coming…all I wanted to do was get Sasuke down. I…guess I have never thought about my own safety. And look what it costs me. You, my three kids, my home…everything I ever loved. If only I had been quicker…stronger. But now, I need you to be strong, like you always are... Sakura is going to be the only one who will cry. She's going to want you to tell her its alright, show her that you aren't going to leave her like I did. Naruto will be quiet for a little while whenever someone brings me up, but I need you to also tell him it's going to work out too... Sasuke has dealt with enough death, mine will be no different, but if he starts to seem distant… talk with him don't let him drift away from the family. If he does…I don't know if we could ever get him back. There is so much...battle in him. He doesn't understand that there isn't enough power to stop death. I fear my own death has been the last straw for him. I don't want to see him in the hands of that snake bastard!" Kana sighed "I…wish I didn't have to leave them like this. Ugh, my poor babies…" She trailed off and leaned back, holding on to Kakashi's shoulders for support. "At least…I have you to look after them. I know they are in good hands. After all, you are the greatest ninja in Konoha. You…will look after them right?" Kana cocked her head to the side slightly, like a little puppy.

"I…cant. You always looked after them. I don't know how to do that." Kakashi admitted, leaning his head forward to rest against hers. She sighed and looked at him knowingly.

"Silly…you will learn! Besides, it's easy! Just make sure that you teach them everything and be there for them! That's how you can look after them for me. And…try not to be late!" Kana giggled. Kakashi smiled, engraving that laugh into his memory.

"Why did you have to leave me so soon?" He asked broken hearted a minute later, pressing his clothed lips to her forehead. She hummed, quietly a small smile on her face.

"I wish I didn't have too…what's that saying? 'Life's unfair'?" She pulled away for a moment, running her fingers over his masked face. "Hey, you need to wake up now. You're going to be late to my…whatever they are calling it. Open your eyes…wake up now" Kakashi was startled. His grip tightened on Kana.

"No…no, it's not time!" He tensed up, as if ready to fight off anyone who would take her away. Kana smiled sadly.

"Hun," Kana smirked "this time you have to let me go." She pressed her lips against his, giving him a small kiss through his mask. She pulled away. Kana some how managed to wiggled out of his protective grasp and turned to walk away.

"Kana…" Kakashi whispered, pulling his mask down quickly, he rushed to her.

"Hm?" She turned back around, facing Kakashi. She was surprised when she noticed that his mask was pulled down. He didn't give her time to react. He crushed her to his chest, trapping her hands, he tilted her head up he captured her lips in a soft kiss. Kana kissed Kakashi back with as much passion as he kissed her. She wiggled her hands free and wrapped them around his neck. Their kiss turned into a total make out, full of all the love in the world. Nothing mattered at that one moment. Nothing. They had each other and that was all they needed right now. To be in each other's arms…kissing each other's lips…holding each other close. Kakashi held her tighter to him, memorizing the way she felt pressed against him. The taste of her kisses, the feel of her hands around him. Images started flashing into his mind. Her smile, her giggling and telling him how much she loved him. Another random memory flooded in. It was her 27th birthday. She had the kids around her. Sakura made her wear a party hat and blow out all the candles on the cake. Naruto patted Kana on the back in congratulations, while Sasuke just stood there. Kana laughed at him and pulled him into a tight hug. Sakura and Naruto just smiled at them while Sasuke blushed. "Sasuke! Your so… distant!" She told him with a giggle. The happy family, that's what they are to Kakashi. And later Kana told Kakashi what she wished for when she blew out the candles. "I know I'm not supposed to tell but… I wished for the kids to be successful…and for us to be together always." She said with a light blush and a giggle. Another memory came in. The one night that the two of them spent at some party. They snuck off, just the two of them, and went home, tired from all the partying. They went into Kakashi's room and ended up just laying in bed(don't be perverted, no sex sillies). She snuggled up with him, resting her head on his shoulder, while his arms wrapped around her. "Kakashi…"she mumbled from against his shoulder, "I'm so tired!" He remembered laughing at her comment. "Then go to sleep." He said, closing his own eyes. "Um…but what if Iruka came in here?" She asked nervously eyeing the door. "I don't care…" Kakashi muttered. "Ok!" she smiled and rolled over so she was on her side, a bit away from him. Kakashi smirked and scooted over, molding his body with hers. She blushed but moved into the warmth, enjoying the feeling of Kakashi's arms around her. "Goodnight Kakashi. I love you and will never let you go…no matter what. Even if you won't say it, someday, I know you will cave." She laughed a little before closing her eyes. The memory ended there.

After a minute, Kakashi broke away from her and hid his face in her hair. Every time he saw a memory with her, he felt his love for her grow. And he loved her so much, more than anything in the world. His heart ached terribly knowing he couldn't hold her close anymore. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. If he let her go now, she would be gone forever.

"Please Kana…please don't leave me. I can't live without you! I love you more than anything…I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you before. I love you and I will never let go of you!" He clutched on to her, trying to take in everything about her, keep her as close to his heart as he can. She smiled into his chest.

"You remembered when I said that to you…that one night. Don't worry…maybe I'll come back to you someday. I would never leave you completely alone." Kakashi felt her hands tighten on his black shirt, shaking He stroked her hair softly as if to comfort her, tightening his grip on her.

"It's not your time, you can't go. It's not your time!" he repeated, urgently.

"If it wasn't my time, then I will come back to you! I promise. But those two brothers didn't lie. I was dead. And now, here I am, wandering aimlessly in this blackness, I don't know why I am here...but you have to go back, you have to wake up." Suddenly Kakashi couldn't feel Kana anymore. She phased right through his arms and took a few steps back, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry love, but you need to wake up now or you'll be late." She turned on her heel and started to walk away, wiping the tears that just kept falling away. Kakashi felt his heart lurch. She was leaving him. He can't let her go!

"Kana!" Kakashi started to dash after her, but every time he got close, she seemed further away. He called out to her again and again. Finally Kana stopped walking. She faced Kakashi, and reached out for him. Kakashi ran, as fast as he could, stretching his arm out as well. Only a few inches away, he was so close and their fingers would have touched.

"I love you and I will never let you go. I promise!" She whispered as their hands brushed against each other. Then, she was gone and Kakashi closed his eyes.

Kakashi snapped his eyes open and sat up quickly. Iruka was pounding on his door down the hall.

"Damn it Kakashi, could you be punctual for anything?" He hammered on the door again. Kakashi sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm here Iruka." The pounding stopped, and footsteps were heard coming down the hall.

"What…are you doing in here?" Iruka asked, looking around. Kakashi stood up and made his way out, heading for the door to the apartment. "Hey, Kakashi, you look a little shaken up… are you ok?" Iruka followed him, wondering what was wrong. Kakashi paused, placing his hand on the door handle. 'Yeah, I'm fine. The love of my life is dead and I have to go to her funeral and live the rest of my life alone. Yeah I'm just great.' He thought bitterly. Then sighed.

"I…had a dream…but it felt so real. Kana was there. She talked with me…she started to leave and I just grabbed her, I kissed her, I tried to keep her with me. But…but she phased right through me…and walked away. I don't know if it was real…but she said she might come back. She said that if it wasn't her time…she would come back to me. Heh, I wonder if she was lying…" Kakashi opened to door, contemplating his thoughts.

"Kakashi…your mask is down. You might wanna pull it up. And it must have been a dream…" Iruka said and walked out of the opened door with a pat on Kakashi's shoulder and a sigh. Kakashi reached up and felt his face. He smiled. 'Maybe it wasn't a dream" he thought, pulling it up to cover his face again. Together, the friends walked out to catch up with the kids and head to Kana's funeral.

Kakashi and Iruka picked up Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke. The three of them were together, meeting outside Sakura's home. The two groups exchanged small greetings then headed off to the main event. They took their seats in the back, not really wanting to face a lot of people. Iruka was in the isle seat, then Kakashi, then Sakura, then Sasuke and finally Naruto. Each of them had a single white flower with them, it was Konoha tradition to lay a white flower down for a loved one or of someone important. Kana was both for Team 7.

"Kakashi-sensei, will Kana's parents be here today?" Sakura asked, tugging on his shirtsleeve for his attention. Kakashi leaned over a bit. Kana's parents were, in fact, not present. They had basically disowned her, their own daughter, for pursuing the life of a kunoichi. Her family was old fashioned, not liking the whole female ninja change. They had other plans for her, but she ignored them and chose to live the life she wanted. Her dad nearly killed her for becoming chunin. Kakashi and other fellow jounin know about the incident. Kakashi strongly dislikes her dad because of it.

"I don't think so…and who told you about her parents?" He asked quietly.

"Um…Kana did. She told us all. She said that her parents didn't care for her after she pushed on to be a chunin. She told us that she would never abandon us…ever." Sakura's sigh was wavy, telling Kakashi that she was struggling to hold in her tears. Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, It's still Kana-sensei to you…and it's ok Sakura…it's ok to cry." Kakashi whispered trying to think like Kana. He scowled when Sakura shook her head.

"Kana might have said that. But the rule of ninja is to not show emotion…do you really miss her?" Sakura asked changing the subject. Kakashi's scowl turned into a full out frown.

"What kind of question is that?!" He hissed.

"Well…I have never once seen you upset. Just angry." Sakura said in a matter of fact voice.

"…It's habit. I will not show anyone, especially you three, my anguish over Kana's…death…" He said with a sigh, letting go of his sudden anger.

"You should show us that you're human" Sakura whispered. Kakashi sighed.

"I don't think I know how to do that anymore. Besides, I may not be human on that level, but that doesn't mean you can't be. And it doesn't mean that I don't miss Kana." Kakashi replied softly "Because I do…I miss her very very much. I took her presence for granted…and you don't…can't even imagine how much I regret not-"

Gai interrupted.

"Ah, My rival, how are you coping with the loss of my dear Kana? After all, she was your partner…oh, I didn't get to say good bye…I NEVER got to tell her how much I loved her! Why! God, Why! Why did you take away my angel! She only did good in this world! Why!!" Gai started weeping and then went off rambling again. Sakura and Kakashi exchanged looks.

"Ok, that was slightly odd." Kakashi said and Sakura nodded. Iruka tapped Kakashi on the shoulder.

"I think it's going to start"

"Oh joy…"

It was like when the 3rd died, only not as grand. The room was almost empty, and only a few people showed up. Outside, the busy life of Konoha continued, as if nothing was wrong. A few people who knew Kana went up to speak, mentioning all the good times they had with her and all the memories. Tsunade asked if any of Team 7 would like to speak, but no one stood up. Iruka sighed and stood up, walking down the isle toward the podium.

"I will speak on behalf of Team 7. Kana was, as you all probably have seen, a mother to Team 7…" Kakashi didn't want to hear what Iruka had to say. He didn't want to hear people talk about her as if she was never going to come back. After what she had said to him today, he wanted nothing more than to believe that she would return to him, no matter how his mind denied it. His heart didn't. He closed his eyes, trying to remember her laugh, her smile, her pressed against him, anything about her when another flashback invaded his thoughts.

Flash Back

It was raining. Thousands of people from Konoha, dressed in black, carried white flowers to place on the coffin of their 3rd Hokage. Kana was sitting next to Kakashi on his left, while the kids sat in front with the genin. Kana fingered the small white flower she held in her hands. It was thin and looked about ready to die in a few hours.

"Why did they give us these flowers…they look like their going to die." Kana whispered, quietly. Kakashi looked over at her. Kana had cried the night before, but now she looked like she was ready to kill something. He turned his attention to his own flower. It too looked ready to die. "Are they making a statement? Something like, "everything is going to die…so get used to it?" Kana snorted, continuing her rant, "I mean, they should really think about what their saying to Konoha. The Hokage wasn't your average Hokage. He bloody cared about everything and everyone. Not one person in here has ever been ignored by the Hokage. And for his funeral the high council is telling everyone that this Hokage didn't matter because he was just a Hokage? Something they can just…replace?"

"Kana…"

"You know what Kakashi, I'm going to go and find that bastard who did this. Orochimaru is going to regret the day he laid a finger on the Hokage! Even if it kills me…" Kana trailed off "I would…die just to kill him!" Kana grit her teeth.

"Kana…you wouldn't do that. I know you. You wouldn't do something like that. Would you really leave everything you loved behind just to kill someone else? No…I don't think so. But I understand how you feel. Every one wants to go and kill Orochimaru…but would that stop the pain of losing the Hokage?" Kakashi spoke quietly.

"…no." Kana scowled then sighed, leaning her head on Kakashi's shoulder. "I guess you're right Kakashi. I suppose you know me better than I know myself…but if I ever see that bastard again, or if he gets any where near my squad, I'm gonna kick his ass to kingdom come!" Kakashi chuckled causing Kana to glare at him. "What? You don't think I can do it?"

"No no…well actually…" Kakashi laughed as Kana smacked his arm.

"Wow, you have so much faith in the ability of your comrades. I just hope you know that we all have the same faith in you as you have in us." Kakashi smirked at her comment, and his frown. 'Yeah…that's going to cost her later…' He thought to himself.

"Kakashi, come on, it's time for us to say good bye to the 3rd." Kana got up and followed the few people out of the isle. Once she was out, she took a step back, allowing Kakashi to go in front of her. He paused, motioning her to go. Kana grabbed his arm and forced him ahead of her. She then followed him in the line, clutching the back of his shirt and her flower.

"Kana…what are-" Kakashi started to ask when the person in front of them turned and glared at him. Kakashi piped down and just kept walking with the line.

"Shhh silly, this is a moment for quiet…" Kana said lightly, as to not disturb the peace. She rested her head between his shoulder blades, as they stopped and waited for the line to move on. Kana felt him tense then relax. She spotted her kids sitting quietly next to one another. As if sensing a presence behind him, Naruto turned and looked over his shoulder. He gave Kana a half smile. Sakura looked over as well, looking distressed. Kana showed a soft smile and whispered, "It will be ok. Don't worry…" Sakura nodded and turned back around. Naruto grinned and turned back as well. Silly children. Kakashi watched the whole thing and mental smiled, 'She always says the right things…'

It was Kakashi's turn, so he walked forward and Kana let him go. She patiently waited for him to say good-bye to the Hokage. After a quick minute, Kakashi moved on and Kana stepped forward. She placed the flower down and quickly said a prayer.

"Hokage, please guide me in teaching my youngsters…please help me protect them…heh, and Kakashi. Please assist me in becoming stronger for them. I want only what's best for all of them. Thank you for looking after them when I didn't, and thank you for making me and Kakashi their teachers. I'm sure we are both very grateful. I know I am." Kana whispered and followed Kakashi. When they made it back to their seats, Kakashi leaned over to her.

"What did you say to him?" He asked curiously.

"I pretty much thanked him for everything. For letting us work together" Kana said, sliding her hand into his "For giving us the most…interesting of squads, for looking after them before we even came into their picture. I also asked him to help guide us…I want to make sure we do everything we can for them." She said and then smiled giddily.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked, gently rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, soothingly.

"They have such bright futures…I just feel so lucky!" She giggled, quietly.

End Flash Back

Iruka was back now, sitting next to Kakashi again. Another few minutes and Konoha will have that special tradition of laying white flowers for the deceased. Iruka got up when it was the row's turn. He walked slowly down and placed his flower for Kana. Putting his hands together, Iruka made a small prayer and moved on. Kakashi stepped out to the isle and let the kids for first. Sakura tried not to cry as she said good bye to her sensei, but ended up weeping silently. Naruto was rigid the whole time, not ever relaxing once. He placed his flower and then moved on. Sasuke paused for a minute, then dropped his flower onto the pile and followed Naruto. Kakashi finally stepped up. He was the last person to place a flower, he felt everyone's gaze on him, but ignored it. His eyes scanned the setup that they had put for Kana. The coffin was a smooth mahogany, with a large pile of white flowers atop of it, in the middle. He wondered how many people besides his team and Iruka knew the coffin was empty. Two pictures were resting on either side of the flowers. The one on the left was a picture of Team 7, the entire group shot, three flowers rested there. And the other picture was of Kakashi and Kana. It was his second favorite picture. The one with her on his back…her smile was so genuine and happy. Kakashi shook his head sadly and placed his flower along the bottom of their picture, it rested there alone. The photographer was right, they did take a good picture together. Kakashi took a step back, then turned and took a seat by Sasuke, not really feeling in the mood for seat hopping. A few minutes later, people started to leave, which in itself, signaled the end of the funeral. As they were walking out, the people came by and placed hands on the kids' heads, saying how much she will be missed. Few people approached Kakashi. And soon, the entire place was empty, minus Team 7 and Iruka. The silence was killer.

Kakashi stood up and started for the door, not wanting to stay in this...uncomfortable silence.

"Kakashi-sensei…could I talk with you…please?" It was Sakura. He paused before turning around.

"Sure kid. Naruto…Sasuke…we obviously don't have training today, I'm not going to make you do anything. Just…don't get to lazy on me. I'll see you on Monday I suppose."

"A full week?" Naruto asked.

"Hm? What, is today Monday? You don't want a full week off?" The three kids looked at him oddly. "Ok ok… how about…Wednesday?" They nodded in agreement.

"Come on boys, I'll get you some lunch." Iruka stood up and led the boys out, past Kakashi.

"…Fine, but not…" Sasuke started.

"RAMEN!" Naruto shouted, from down the street. Kakashi turned his attention back on Sakura.

"Sakura…ready to go?" He asked slowly.

"Yes…I suppose." She stood up and walked to the door. He patted her on the head.

"I…have something for you. Kana would have wanted you to have it. Come on, I'll give it to you."

Kakashi took Sakura to the apartment, or the apartment he used to share with Kana. He held the door open for her and she walked in. On the walk to, Sakura had been quite quiet. She seemed deep in thought about something, and for once, Kakashi was sorta scared. He had no idea what to say to her, no idea how to comfort her. Kana did all that. With her, it was like she was equipped to handle kids, when they were happy and when they are sad. He sighed and opened to door to Kana's old room.

"Beware, Kana was never a cleany type." Kakashi said with a slight grin toward Sakura. He led her into Kana's room and Sakura clicked her tongue.

"Kana…-sensei always said that organization was important. And now…the truth revealed." And, for the first time that day, Sakura smiled. She bent down and picked up all of the papers on the floor, going through them while Kakashi went through the health book, making sure nothing unimportant was in there. "Hey, Kakashi-sensei, this one's for you. And look, there's a paper here for me too. And another for Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun, and Iruka-sensei."

"Hm?" Kakashi had a confused face on for sure, but Sakura couldn't tell with his mask. She just handed him the paper and at the top, it read. 'To: Kakashi'. Sakura started to read hers out loud.

"To: Sakura, the light of my life.

Hey sweetheart, If you're reading this, then something's happened to me, and it was probably Kakashi who found this letter. I just wanted to let you know, that I'm sorry I'm not around anymore. By some fault of mine, I failed to be with you today. I want you to understand something very important. I love you and that will never change. I know you will be very sad without me around. And Kakashi understands that. But, hun, you can't be sad forever. Don't think that the longer you mourn for me the more it shows everyone else that you love me. Or loved I guess. Heh, no I'm kidding. Bad joke on my part. I know that you love me. Please look after everyone. I suppose that since I'm not there, there will be more accidents, more injurys and junk. I know you can handle it, my little health kunoichi!

Ps, I have a health book for you. I got it a while back. Remember when you used to ask me stuff on being a health ninja? And I couldn't answer because I didn't know anything? Well, I got this book so you wouldn't ALWAYS have to go running to Tsunade for questions and stuff. I have marked a lot of the pages I though you should read up on or things I thought you should remember or things I thought you should know.

Well, I love ya girl. Don't forget that. I'll be lookin' out for ya, I promise!

Hugs and Kisses,

Kana" Sakura whimpered and then hid her face in her hand. Her shoulders shook as she started crying again. "Kana-sensei was so nice…and she really really cared for us didn't she?"

"Of course. Kana would never lie about something like that. She could never express just how much she loved you guys." Kakashi was surprised when Sakura suddenly was hugging him. She cried into his vest, clinging to him for what seemed like dear life.

"Kakashi-sensei…why did Kana have to go?!" Sakura wailed out after a few minutes. Kakashi placed a hand on her head and she looked up at him.

"I've been asked myself the same question. It seems, that it was her time to go. We who are left behind have to accept that." Kakashi said quietly, realizing, that no matter how much he wanted it, Kana wasn't coming back. What his mind had been telling his heart, his heart suddenly accepted. That pain, from before when he realized just how much he was in love with Kana, returned. It came in waves but soon dissipated when he focused on what Sakura said.

"B-but…She should have died from old age! Really old age!" Sakura insisted pulling away from Kakashi, "I mean like 100 years old or something!" She wiped her eyes and pulled her pink hair away from her face so it didn't stick, plopped down on the bed. "It's…not fair!"

"I know, Sakura, but that's life. And that is the way it is, as sad as it is." He sat down next to her, handing her the health book. Sakura opened it slowly. The very first page, which was blank, was covered in notes and dates. All the notes started with, 'Sakura asked me about how to heal…' one finished with 'muscle damage, Page on muscle damage is 45.' There were many notes. Sakura turned the pages, looked at all the marked ones. One page had a long note from Kana. It was the page on how to heal heart damage. Kana's note said, "This is how to heal heart damage literally. I wonder how you heal it figuratively…I suppose with some good old TLC huh?" Sakura re-read it out loud to Kakashi.

He laughed, "I guess that's what you do. Probably easier said than done" Sakura nodded.

"Sasuke, Naruto and I have made a pact. To look after one another, for Kana-sensei, we know that we are in your care now. But we just felt like taking precautions." Kakashi scowled.

"I can look after you guys! Way to start me off…geez."

"Kakashi-sensei! Don't take offense or anything, but you don't really know how to look after others very well."

"Well…I can at least try! Which, now, no matter what I do, you three will take care of it." Kakashi sighed.

"Um…that was the point, Sensei." Sakura muttered.

"What about all the times I saved your butts!? Huh? Doesn't that count for something?" Kakashi said, standing up.

"Well, that counts for the number of times you saved our butts, but not towards the whole, 'can you take care of us' deal."

"Whatever, let's go meet up with Naruto and Sasuke." Sakura gathered her letter and her new book. And walked out, as Kakashi snatched Naruto's letter and Sasuke's letter. He followed Sakura out of the apartment, locking the door behind him.

When they walked into the ramen place, they could hear arguing.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?!?" shouted Naruto.

"I said, keep it down idiot." Sasuke replied calmly. Iruka sighed.

"Naruto, please just sit down and eat your ramen before it becomes too cold." Iruka said, trying to get Naruto to sit down.

"NO! THIS FOOL IS JUST ASKING FOR A FIGHT! COME ON, LET'S GO OUTSIDE!!" Naruto snarled, clenching his hands into fists. 'So much for Naruto being quiet Kana.' Kakashi thought, remembering what Kana had said earlier.

"Naruto-kun, please just sit down and be quiet." Sakura said sitting down next to Sasuke, in between the two of them. Kakashi sat down next to Iruka and on the other side of Naruto.

"Here, these are for you two" Kakashi said handing out a letter to Sasuke and another letter to Naruto.

"Eh? Who are these from Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, unfolding his.

"From Kana, we have one to Iruka. I didn't want to bring mine, so I left yours at home too." Naruto and Sasuke looked up but didn't open their letters. Naruto refolded his and placed it in his orange pants pocket. Sasuke did the same with his letter, sliding it into his pocket.

"Don't you want to read it?" Sakura asked them, curiously.

"I'll read it later…" Both responded dryly.

The rest of the time was uneventful. They finished eating, and chatted about random things. The subject changed rapidly through out the meal. Naruto was bragging about how the rasengan would beat the chidori in a fight of strength. Of course, Kakashi and Sasuke disagreed simultaneously. Sakura and Iruka sighed as the battle over whos jutsu was better raged on. Finally, it was time to leave. The group split up, going in different directions. Sakura went home, as well as the other two boys. Iruka and Kakashi headed back to the apartment.

Iruka made a bee line for Kana's room, since that was where his letter was. He barged into the door and began picking up papers, looking for his letter. He found it after a few minutes.

"To Iruka,

Hey buddy,

If you're reading this, then something fatal has come up. I'm sorry I'm not around anymore. Please, take care of yourself…and do me a favor and look after our ole buddy Kakashi, m'kay? Oh and thanks for everything. You're a really pal.

Love you lots

Kana

PS: Keep an eye out for Naruto too…he never thinks before he acts." Iruka sighed and folded his letter up. He left her room and went to his, placing the folded letter on his desk. As he walked out into the hallway he saw Kakashi picking up what Iruka assumed to be his own letter. He watched Kakashi stare at it for a while before folding it up.

"Did you even read it?" Iruka asked, quietly. Kakashi moved past him and opened to door to his room, tossing the letter inside aimlessly. He then shut the door and then turned to Iruka.

"Nope, I just glanced over it." He said casually, obviously not wanting to talk about it.

"Why? I think your letter would be the most important one…don't you even care?" He asked heatedly "She is gone and she left you something and you going to toss it aside?"

Kakashi sighed and then opened his door and disappeared. He came out with the letter and shoved it in Iruka's chest. "Of course I care. And what ever was so important, she already said to me." He snapped and stomped out of the house, slamming the door shut. Iruka glanced at the letter then at the door. He sighed and opened it, and began to read.

"To Kakashi,

Kakashi, if you're reading this then something happened to me. I'm sorry, for leaving like this. There is so much to say. And no matter how I say it on paper, it wouldn't mean half as much as when I said it to you. Everything I would have wanted to tell you, I already did. I suppose all that's left is to say that I want you to take care of yourself…you and the kids. Oh, and I want you to always remember that I love you and that….I'll never let you go.

Please, never forget that.

Kana"

Iruka sighed, 'Great…' He thought bitterly, knowing how hard it was to get over the death of a loved one. Both his parents died when he was little. He loved them very much, and had help coping with the loss. But, between Kakashi and Kana, this…this was a different love. And Kakashi had to get over this alone. This was his struggle and no one could help him through it. 'It's going to take a while…that's for sure.'

A/N: Well, another chapter is disclosed in the Kakashi-Kana story. How am I doing? i know that i made some slight changes from the beginning to now but...its all for the better! But let me know, please. Oh and I need a favor. I need more names, Japanese names. For boys or girls I suppose. It's for later on in the story. I honestly have the whole thing mapped out. Which is uber great by the way. Lol. Please review. This story is about to get really confusing lol. But I need those names soon please! Thanks for reading!