Icha Icha Seduction

Disclaimer: Some one once warned me about theives having thier hands cut off. Well, I don't trust any one with sharp objects, so I'm not going to lie...I'm to lazy to get out of bed, how the hell can I own anything other than what my mommy gave me? Some one else owns these things I play with.

Oi, I haven't been around lately. If this seems a bit crappy, it's cus I have to use wordpad. Damn new computer don't have microsoft word. It sucks majorly.

Italics in this chapter are flashbacks. Sadly, there is no Icha in this one, but is referenced.

Warnings::: This is an M rated story. Though it's mild right now, it will get a bit naughty later on, though I will make it tasteful and not some sleazy crap. Plus, there is minor hints to abusing content. Just...be sure you younger kids know what you're getting into.

XxX

Chapter Three

Undeniable Passion

And he was fucked. Some where in the last two days, going on three, everything had been blown up, tossed up, rolled away, flipped off, and completely screwed. It was all about her now. Every thought and want. Every motion and step. What ever happened, it was because of her.

It was her fault. (-Cha!-)

Kakashi tried as hard as he could to get his mind off Sakura that night after leaving her at the edge of the forest. He couldn't even walk her home because he didn't think he could stand to be so near her and not do anything stupid. He had honed in on her chakra signature all day though, making sure nothing bad happened. Then he realized why he was really keeping track of her.

Only three days and he was constantly thinking of her, obsessing over her. It was nuts!

There was that need to be near her, think of her, to want her. Kakashi immediately cut their connection and stopped walking to mentally scold himself. He had just left the woman! There was no reason for him to act like he was. Sakura shouldn't be anything to him, let alone on his mind like a lover on a raised podium.

She should be on equal levels as Naruto and peanut butter. Fun, but shouldn't be had in excess. Especially Naruto.

He had to do something else, more productive then mentally stalking the kunoichi and something to take his mind off her.

Like…sleeping.

But, as Kakashi reached his home and snuggled into his bed for the night, the minute his eyes closed Sakura expanded his imagination.

He jerked awake, pissed that Sakura would invade his sleep when the last night she had consumed his every waking moment. Or well, Sakura and Icha had kept him awake all that night.

Icha…Jiraiya, Kakashi thought in consideration. If there was one other person to blame, it was the old Sannin. There was something going on and he was betting Jiraiya had a part in it. Kakashi was going to have a nice perv to perv talk tomorrow and get to the bottom of things. He had his suspicions, but something always averted his attention. This time, Kakashi would figure it out.

That night was spent with Kakashi trying to invent new and unusual ways of torture while battling images of the little seductress. He even refused to pull the book out from his pillow so not to get any other ideas. Chapter three would have to wait.

It was the second night Kakashi spent with no sleep.

XxX

The seductress was on an actual mission instead of just saying she was like she had planned. Tsunade had said if she was going to follow through with her plans, then she had to take a real mission, not just leave the village for a while, ruffle herself up and slink back to be with the older Jounin.

And the mission sucked.

Six little hellions and an over worked mother with the flu all the way in Wind.

Just great. Not even halfway there and Sakura was already covered in light dust and her hair was in disarray.

Luckily, though, she wasn't alone. Unluckily, she was traveling with Neji as extra backup, not that she needed it but it was mandatory.

The long four hour trek was going to be very quiet. But not boring, she mused.

With the silence and time to think, what better to pass the time than to reminisce? Kakashi was all she could focus on lately, but her past lovers suddenly came to mind and what she had to go through to get to where she was now.

And it started with a young love.

Sasuke.

She smiled sadly to herself. She still loved the grown man, but after years of unrequited love and an absent Uchiha, Sakura had no choice but to change. The love she had was still strong, but on the level of best friend, team mate, dear and close brother.

Like Naruto, only without the affair.

She still remembered the day he had come back. Sakura had been nervous and shifty, but she wanted to see the lost nin for so long. She was sixteen, and at that time was scared to see how the years had changed her once love. Scared to tell him that the romance was gone and something that could be misinterpreted as less than was in its place.

In her opinion, the extent of her feelings for her two boys encompasses any level of romance. Nothing could break their bonds.

But Sakura almost lost him. She had avoided Sasuke for three days after his return. He didn't search her out, but she knew he had wanted to see her. Naruto said he had. And then, when she had dredged up the guts to see him, it almost shattered.

"Sasuke," She looked at her feet and felt like she was twelve again. She took a breath and met his stare with a genuine but slightly nervous smile. "I'm glad you're back. We missed you." She had said 'we' to keep a bit of distance between them. It wasn't only about her now.

He wasn't her only reason for living any more. He had left her, giving her time to see everyone else. To see more than him.

"Sakura," He nodded at her. His eyes were smaller, darker. He was taller and fit to look more like a grown man. Still as handsome though. His voice caught for a second, uncertain on what to say. "You're looking good. Naruto filled me in a bit on…stuff."

Sasuke looked at her hands, the gloves that covered her calloused hands and hardened knuckles. Sakura was stronger, and proud of it. He looked away.

"Ya, I've learned a thing or two. Things…happen when someone's gone."

He had cringed a bit, more like squish his eyes for an instant before schooling his features blank. With his hands in his pockets and his head turned away, Sakura couldn't help but feel relieved and irritated. Sasuke was still himself and he was still ignoring her.

Sasuke…ignoring her. It hurt more then it used to. It wasn't supposed to be like this, an awkward exchange of words then the ringing silence. Sakura didn't want their reunion to suck. She clenched her fists, anger flaring out in her chakra as she glared at the quiet man in front of her.

How could he? How could he leave like he did, fight with all her friends and make her cry? How can he think to do what he did and come back and act like this? Sakura wasn't about to put up with his bullshit.

For a moment, she had forgotten the fact that her anger made her reckless, and that fury was pumping chakra into her arm alarmingly. Without even noticing her sudden inhuman strength, Sakura lifted her fist, pulled back, and threw her whole body into a raging, tearful punch.

Sasuke was surprised to feel the amount of chakra she admitted, but the surprise turned to out right shock as she threw a killer blow at him. He couldn't react fast enough to dodge it, but let his chakra secure him to the ground and brace for a brutal impact. Only his skills as a ninja were able to keep his feet grounded, but the all out force had shoved him back, skidding at least ten feet.

He cupped his face feeling his cheek bone explode in pain and his jaw crack and crunch. It took a few shakes to clear his sight from the stars and spots. But Sasuke was mostly stunned.

Sakura had actually hit him. Practically broke his face! He couldn't find the anger that should have been there. He had never thought she could ever hit him, or yell like she looked like she was going to.

She heaved, catching her breath and calming her chakra. She looked at Sasuke, surprised at herself for hitting him. But, he deserved it. He had it coming for four years, damnit!

"You, Sasuke Uchiha, will not snub me like that, not again. You had done it for years and I will not tolerate it any longer." That, Sakura thought, felt good. She had to keep going, wanted to give him a piece of her mind. He wasn't going to think she could be walked all over again. That's not what friends do.

"Listen to me, if you ever try to kill Naruto, if you ever try to leave us, and if you ever again do something stupid to destroy our family, I swear I will break more than your face." She poked a hard pointed finger into the stunned man's chest as she told him what. Her tears leaked down her cheeks, but they were angry. "Do you hear me?" Sakura finished with a shove of her finger.


He could only shake his head, jerking it back and forth. Sasuke was a little to stunned…and just a bit frightened to do anything else. Sakura took a breath and sighed, catching her tears on her fingers. She took a step closer and Sasuke moved back, scared what she would do next. He wasn't ready when she threw herself against him and hugged his neck, squeezing the life from his throat.

"We missed you, Sasuke." She kissed his cheek, Sasuke's first kiss. Well, second next to Naruto's, but that didn't count. He didn't miss the 'we' part or the fact that the kiss was soft, and not meant to be romantic.

It was like a kiss of welcome, or a dear, sweet kiss of a sister.

She dangled from his shoulders and Sasuke let his arms hang by his sides, afraid to embrace her or shove her off. He felt warmed but didn't know how to respond. "You're forgiven, you know. You, Naruto and Kakashi are my boys so please, don't break it again. Please, Sasuke"

Her boys, her family, she had said, and Sasuke realized something. Sakura loved him like family, a brother. But, like his own brother had torn his family apart, Sasuke had done the same to theirs.

He gently wrapped his arms around her waist, dropping his head to her shoulder in guilt. He had done the same thing that had ruined his own life. But they had forgiven him, something he could never have done.

"Thank you," he murmured. He felt her stiffen against him and cursed his choice of words. But this time, he meant them genuinely, with his heart. "I really mean it, Sakura. I'm home" He held her tighter against him, proving to her that he meant no ill will this time. He could never apologize, because all in all, he didn't regret the strength he acquired and the revenge had. The only thing he could ever be ashamed of was hurting the people who loved him. But things were ok now, and could get better. Sakura forgave him and so did Naruto. They are the ones that mattered to him.

She pulled away smiling, putting a hand against his broken cheek and slowly healing the damage she caused earlier. Sasuke loved the feeling of her chakra soothing his pain. It was over to soon in his opinion.

"There's one more thing I have to say before the moment's lost. That night when I told you I loved you…"

"I know, Sakura. I can see it; you don't love me any more." Sasuke interrupted her and set her back on her feet. She sighed and thumped his shoulder.

"Stupid, of course I still love you. Friend, team mate and brother, that love is more solid than anything else. You are one of my important persons." Sakura smiled and Sasuke couldn't help but love how it made her eyes illuminate and her face glow. She was beautiful.

When she was younger, Sakura seemed so fake. The way she acted around him was like she was trying to hard and not being herself. Now, Sasuke enjoyed the real Sakura, the one who was beautiful and feisty, loving and abusive.

He mentally smacked himself. If only he knew then how she'd turn out, then maybe he could have her now. At least she's not completely lost to him. Being her friend sounded better. To have lived so long without any, Sasuke was glad to have her as one of his best friends.

But he still had to wonder… "What made you end it?"

Her smile dropped a bit and turned forlorn. "You were gone and I was all alone. I felt like I had nothing and hated it. So I worked on getting stronger for myself. I tried to love you for as long as I could, but in the end, I couldn't take the pain. I spent years chasing you and all I had from it was a thank you and rejection. I couldn't keep deluding myself.

"But I didn't stop loving you. Never." She kissed him on the cheek again after seeing his disappointed look. "Come on, Sasuke-kun. Let's go find the other two boys and have a reunion party. How's ramen sound?" She held out her hand, smirking as he hesitated in taking it. Their fingers touched and linked.

"Just this once," He agreed. Actually, ramen sounded great, and her hand in his was warm and calming.

Sakura didn't miss the small grin he didn't try to hide.

That was just one love and loss. Sakura's first and most painful love experience.

But what she hadn't told Sasuke, and promised Naruto never to tell, was that his cruel treatment and her bitter disposition after he left, left her feeling cold and unloved.

She felt ruined. The love between a man and woman was a confusing and painful concept for her, one she had trouble believing in or trying to understand. It just seem worthless. She felt incapable of producing any amount of love beyond her comfort level of unconditional friendship, platonic and family love.

Not all ninja could be as lucky as Naruto though. He and Hinata had found something special. Sakura thought it might be love, but she wouldn't know if it was or not. It was more than what she could ever hope to find.

But Naruto also had the ability to love everyone with such a simple ease. Sakura was jealous of the blonde shinobi at one point. He had come a long way from the nothing-terror he was as a gennin. Naruto was able to gain immense strength, a known name, and devoted friends and alliances where ever he went. He treated everyone like he had always wanted to be treated; instant smiles and welcomes, forgivable acceptance, no matter who he met.

Sakura wished she could have that compatibility with people like Naruto did. Sadly, Sakura always got the pitiful glances, the brush-offs and the childish taunts.

Because of how everyone looked at her, Sakura vowed to become stronger, for her self-respect and pride.

Because Naruto had everything she had ever craved, Sakura wanted something more of her friend. Naruto was like a universal friend. People of all types loved him and wanted to be with him. Ninja of the hardest hearts respected him and could stay comfortable in his presence.

He was warm, exciting and approachable. It made a person feel as if Naruto was the happiest man alive, and he freely shared it with others.

When Sakura noticed his magnetizing character, she had been sixteen, almost seventeen, and feeling the loneliness and withdrawn bitterness of a loveless life after Sasuke's return. Just like all the other sorry saps that are drawn like starving worms to his electricity, Sakura found herself wanting something more than her cold stoned soul. She wanted to curl into Naruto's warmth and let it rock her in peace.

She was shamelessly drawn to her closest friend as the craving for something more than her lackluster outlook drove her to take the first step.

It was always better when she was beside Naruto. She felt more like her old self, before Sasuke left. She smiled with genuine joy, laughed out loud and conversed with enthusiasm. Even if her lost love was there, Sakura only had to be near Naruto's intensity to feel better.

She had tried, of course, to withdraw from the comfort and desire she felt towards her best friend, but after a time of loneliness and feeling sorry for herself, Naruto was a delicious temptation.

Sakura didn't love him, not like she once loved a certain someone, but that didn't mean she didn't love him in another way or care for him with all her heart. She wanted to be with Naruto without actually 'being' with him. She couldn't do a relationship so soon after Sasuke, not while she considered a romantic love a painful memory.

What would Naruto think if he knew she wanted him? Not that she knew specifically what the want was. Sakura just obsessed over being near him, wanting him to fill the emptiness that pulled at her constantly. Naruto would do anything for her, she knew. But how far would he go to make her happy, even if Sakura didn't know what to give him in return?

"Naruto?" She called to him, pleadingly, pathetically. He had turned to her with open arms and a caring smile. "Can I…is it ok?" And fuck the uncertainty she felt as she asked him to help her. She knew why she wanted Naruto, she just didn't know if it was the right thing or fair. Was it ok to want strength and comfort unconditionally?

As it turned out, Naruto didn't mind holding her. He didn't mind her coming to him at night and keeping it to themselves, telling only a few select individuals.

Ino called it friends with benefits. Naruto didn't mind committing to a beneficial affair while maintaining their unbreakable friendship. He never complained or objected to anything she wanted.

Sakura thought it was because he had loved her.

Naruto smiled when she asked him and he replied that he loved and cared for her, yes, but understood what she wanted and needed. He put her first before any one else because Sakura was his most important friend.

If only Sakura knew what she wanted.

She lost her virginity to him and didn't regret it. She wasn't quit seventeen yet and it was worth the wait. Sakura considered herself lucky that her first time was to Naruto and not some one whom she didn't care for. Some kunoichi weren't lucky enough to experience such a basic human connection of their own free will with a partner of their choice.

In Sakura's opinion, Naruto was the only person who could touch her like he did with such understanding and delicate care and still stir her body to an intense inferno. She had never felt so alive and euphoric. Then, as they collapsed in exhaustion, Naruto had held her curled against his front knowing that Sakura was emotionally dependent on him. Sharing off his strength and confidence.

She curled to hold it all in just a little bit longer. To hold the familiarity and comfort inside and safe from outside realities.

Being with Naruto, it felt like stuffing cotton into the gloom and self-pity that followed up on every pleasant moment Sakura could get. It padded the sadness, making everything bearable and easier to deal with. Not that she ever complained or bitched about the shit in life, but she took advantage of momentary happiness.

She had been with Naruto for about three months and every moment was the best Sakura had ever had. She didn't know how long it could have lasted. The affair was so perfect and fulfilling, to both Sakura and Naruto, that it could have never ended. But Sakura knew it was time to end it when Hinata approached her, asking for help in getting Naruto's attention.

Sakura couldn't love Naruto like Hinata did and if there was a chance for two people to find the happiness and love most people search for, then she couldn't be greedy.

"Hinata likes you." She had said.

"Yeah," Naruto blushed and scratched his head. "I've sorta noticed her too." Seeing Naruto's reaction convinced her to let him go. She watched them grow closer and create such a sweet love. Their friendship was never compromised from the affair, but there were moments when Sakura missed the cotton comfort.

The time they had together was healing to Sakura. Even when Naruto moved on, she could still feel the confidence and warmth he left behind for her. Their bond was unbreakable and their intimacy gave them a better understanding of each other, making them stronger together and independent.

They will always have their love and friendship.

Sakura shivered from the slight chill and nostalgia, holding her arms against her chest as she followed Neji through the trees.

If she had been capable or willing to give and receive love, Sakura was willing to bet that she and Naruto could have had so much more. An intense, romantic love, marriage, a family, who knows how far it could have gone. But helping Hinata have her chance at happiness was much more satisfying. She and Naruto made better friends than a loving couple anyways.

And besides, Sakura reflected, if she would have stayed with Naruto, then she would have never found Neji, Him, or Kakashi. And she'd hate to have missed out on such fine men.

She sighed to herself feeling wistful and remorseful. Neji noticed the girls absent attention and pulled his pace back to match hers. He cleared his throat to get her attention, then again when she still didn't notice him.

"Sakura," He called, reaching out and shaking her shoulder. She blinked back to reality and grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry, Neji. Did you want something?"

He shook his head but didn't look away from her. "You're zoning out. What's on you're mind?"

Sakura blushed and Neji saw it. She didn't mind though. After a year or so of on and offs with the Hyuuga heir, Sakura had gotten used to his silent knowing of everything. It had pissed her off for a while, but she got over it as they shared a bed more.

He probably already knew she was thinking about Naruto. Neji's eyes never missed a thing and he knew about their previous relationship from Hinata.

"It's nothing, really. Just considering things and thinking." Sakura didn't really want to tell him. If he knew, then he knew, and if he didn't then that would be the first. But she wasn't going to out right admit to anything.

Neji is a bit of a possessive type. Sakura had found him many times scaring off her free time flirts. It was impossible to have any female fun when all the potential victims either didn't want to mess with Neji, or had already been beaten by him. All he had to do was look at them, really.

She really didn't care about the men to get angry about it. But it was fun to later console a jealous Neji into bed and let him worship her body and feel superbly feminine.

There was just something about being vigorously claimed by a man who can be mistaken as one-toned unless you got to know him. Neji let loose and tumbled all over the bed in wild adoration when he took her.

"Hm, don't let it compromise the mission." And Neji took the lead again, jumping ahead of her and picking up speed. Sakura smiled to herself, knowing he didn't mean it to be insulting. To any one else, it would be just as he said. But to her, Sakura heard "Don't worry about it." He was sweet in his own weird way.

Their relationship was sudden and uncomplicated at first. Sakura needed the comfort and reassurance of another body, and Neji was there when she had broken down. It was only after months, almost a year of tossing sheets and arduous work that they were able to fully understand one another and care about more than sex. For Neji, it opened up to him a level of over protectiveness.

And it had started with a simple A rank mission.

Sakura was seventeen and had been a chuunin for about a year. The Hokage, Tsunade, called her into her office to issue a mission that she was needed on as medicnin. There were four others in the room too, the Jounin which she would accompany, and the only face she recognized was Neji Hyuuga.

He was the team leader and it pissed Sakura off that he completely ignored her.

The mission sent them to stone to infiltrate an underground rebel nin hideout. It was literally underground too. That was another reason she had been chosen to go. She could use her strength and fists to crush through the earth and collapse the supports.

"You will be held responsible if you screw up. Don't compromise the mission." Neji stared coolly down at her, being a good head taller than she is. Sakura just glared right back, hating his cocky attitude and for putting her off so soon.

She'd show him.

When they got to the encampment, though, Sakura wasn't able to show Neji anything but her pitiful emotional breakdown.

Neji ordered every one to span out into the forest and conceal themselves as he activated his Byakougan to scan the underground caverns. He flashed a series of hand signs that she didn't understand. He looked to her and she shrugged her shoulders, implying that she didn't know what he said. He repeated the signs slower, an irritated twist squinching his cheek, but Sakura didn't know any of them.

His lip twitched as he jumped from his previous spot and landed next to Sakura, giving her a sarcastic snarl. "If you haven't learned to sign code yet then you are not a very well trained ninja." Sakura was instantly on defense and ready to knock him off the tree when he cut her off and pointed to their target area. "Since you're an idiot, I'll just tell you. There are fifty-six targets; twenty of them rogue ninja with low level chakra, eleven individual rooms and fifteen feet deep. There is one room that is empty and a reasonable distance from any occupied rooms. All you have to do is use your chakra and force it down through the rock to create a tunnel through the far east side of the ceiling. Keep the stone steady so not to shake the rock and alert them to our infiltration. After we are in, you will wait back here until we get back. Nothing else, got it?"

Sakura nodded harshly, barley restraining from pound-smacking the prick into the hidden rooms personally. Just because he assumes she is a bad ninja, just because she never learned signing code, and just because he was a bastard prick.

She hadn't wanted to hurt someone so bad for a while. And he had to insult her sensei too! Sakura vowed that when the mission was over she was going to show the arrogant jackass what was what!

"Stay focused, idiot!" Neji hissed from beside her. Sakura cursed her absent mindedness as she followed the other four men to the rocky ground. Neji pointed to a particular spot and motioned in a circle where she was to drill. She glared at him and he matched her look as she locked her legs and held her hands palm down in front of her. The added irritation and anger helped the strength of her chakra slowly force its way through solid rock while steadying all the other connecting stone from vibrating or shifting from the force of her chakra. When she broke through into the room, it had only taken five minutes…which went unappreciated by the team leader.

Neji made sure to send her one last glare before pointing towards the surrounding trees and dropping into the hole.

"Bastard," she seethed to herself. He was going to get it when they got home.

Then, barely a minute after the last man disappeared down into the hole, Sakura felt a small jab at her throat and a miniscule flare of chakra behind her.

It had been a senbon or something sharp.

Sakura built her arms and fist up with chakra and spun around as fast as she could while directing her fist to where the flare was. Her knuckles popped as they released the chakra and the unsuspecting fool that was hit was rocketed back and careened through trees and shrubs.

The attacker was dead.

There was only a moment of reprieve before Sakura sensed another presence, stronger than the one from before. She went to gather chakra to her fists again when suddenly her knees gave out and her neck burned and choked her.

What ever they poisoned her with was cutting off her chakra, Sakura realized desperately. Not only was it weakening her, but it was also debilitating her muscles and equilibrium. She faintly realized that who ever was behind her had grabbed her hair and then lost conscience as he smashed her face into the rock.

For over twenty four hours, Sakura was vaguely aware of anything as her assailants tortured and disgraced her body, taking pleasure in beating and demeaning her. They must have known who she was because she was constantly drugged and restrained. They had tried to interrogate her, but even delirious and threatened, Sakura wouldn't talk.

It was the first time she had ever been captured or even tortured. She oddly thought of Ibiki, finding more respect for the creepy interrogator than before.

Sakura didn't know when she was rescued. She didn't even know what happened. It was only when she stabilized some coherent thought in the arms of Neji that every thing became clear.

It was early morning and they were in fire territory, resting from battle and Sakura could only clutch onto Neji's jacket and sob from despair. He didn't say anything as he held her against him and rubbed her back in soothing circles careful of her bandaged wounds.

Neji blamed himself for her capture. He hadn't thoroughly scouted the area for any guards, and then leaving her on her own was a mistake. She had fought well, killing one of her attackers, but even the most efficient ninja can't fight a demobilizing poison and an opponent at the same time.

If it weren't for his Byakougan, then he would have never found the slightest of trails, and Sakura could be dead. When he had found her, bloody and used, Neji made sure to slowly dispose of the filth and slash them to slivers. He had enjoyed the revenge for her.

Neji carried her back to the village, letting her stain his jacket with her tears. The rest of his team didn't say anything, feeling the same guilt he did. It was their own carelessness that caused the girl's pain.

When they walked through the gates, Neji ignored the curious looks from onlookers and told his team to report in to the Hokage. He knew where Sakura lived, thanks to mutual friends, and quickly made his way there, careful not to be seen by any one. Sakura had asked him to take her home and not to the infirmary. Her body was only minutely damaged, but in no danger, and she wasn't ready yet to face anyone out of shame.

He walked into her house and searched for her room. Gently, he laid her in the bed and tucked her into the covers.

Sakura hadn't said a word since she had woken up, other than the request to be taken home. Neji guessed she was traumatized and in shock. Was she an innocent until then? Hadn't she been with Naruto before? He didn't know. But Neji had done what he could for her and stood from her side to leave when she clutched his hand in hers and pulled him back.

"Please," she rasped out and swallowed more tears. "Please, I…don't leave me alone." Sakura pulled him closer and Neji let her. She didn't look broken, which was a relief to Neji, but the look in her eyes called to a softer part of him. "It shouldn't be like that Neji, sex shouldn't…I don't want to feel so dirty with it." Even though the even was fuzzy, Sakura still knew and felt what had happened. It was the first time she had ever been frightened and weak as a woman.

He was confused at first, wondering what she wanted from him. Staring a little longer into her dark emerald eyes, they captured him as her hand in his tugged him closer. And it was clear what she wanted and Neji couldn't look into her eyes and deny her.

Cautiously, Neji lowered his hip to the bed and stretched out beside her. Sakura felt dirty and degraded by the acts which were forced on her. She didn't want to become frightened by the experience. Sakura needed reassurance that sex and physical intimacy wasn't painful, but pleasurable.

There was no way Neji was going to take advantage of her, though. There were other ways besides sex to melt a body into passionate leisure. Ways like touch sensation and physical proximity, added to soft caresses and sensual whispers.

They spent the night in sensual ecstasy as Neji touched and soothed every inch of Sakura until she was all sighs and sweet kisses. He hadn't intended to do more than massage and caress her into sweet passion, but Sakura would softly kiss at him pressuring Neji to return the favor. When his lips met hers, Neji couldn't let go. He refused to go any further, refused to undress either one of them, but Neji figured he could kiss her all he wanted for the night. He had in mind to experience more of Sakura when she was less vulnerable and delicate.

It never occurred to him that he liked being with Sakura more than he should. Neji never could get enough of her.

Sakura was again nudged out of her daze as Neji looked concerned. They were in a village standing in front of a house. The older man at the door gave her a strange look. It was the client's house.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. You are Kashiki-san?" She flashed her best smile, hoping to make up for her spacing.

"Yes, I am. Are you really the Hokage's apprentice?" Kashiki asked skeptically. He looked over to Neji, who nodded in affirmative. She sighed and laughed pathetically. Some people doubted her, but she couldn't blame him, this one time.

Kashiki led them inside his small sized house and directed them to the bedrooms. The mission stated that Sakura was to assist a family of seven with the flu. What Sakura wasn't aware of, was that there were six small and very sick boys that liked to throw things and fight.

Sakura and Neji exchanged glances. There were times when Sakura really hated trying to help people. Especially when little brats are jumping at you and kicking your shins as you try to make them better.

Ungrateful little…

XxX

It was careful work trying to sketch the image in front of him. They kept moving and exposing different angles for him to try. If he didn't really like the three women in his view, he'd toss the sketch and pick up his binoculars.

It was a joy indeed to be able to catch a glimpse of such ravishing water nymphs. Not once had he been able to watch them after he was caught spying on them three years before.

Did they think any amount of time was enough for him to forget beauties like that?

Jiraiya absently wiped the dab of drool from his chin and tried to keep his pen moving. The three young women had only gotten more attractive since the last time. The short haired brunette had a tattoo on her inner thigh, which was new.

He made sure to sketch that as well. Maybe he could use that as bait in his next volume? Maybe he could also convince Sakura to write the woman's point of view? She did an excellent job on the last volume and the fan mail he'd received showed that both men and woman loved the twist. And considering the mail could drown him in a ten foot deep pool after only three days of the book being released said quite a bit.

Thinking about Sakura reminded him that Kakashi should only be on chapter three. He had gotten a small note from Tsunade saying that the plan was working the first day, but Jiraiya had no clue on how the last two days had gone. He doubted Kakashi could be fooled for long without any suspicions, so he had expected a visit from his number-one customer on the first day.

But he hadn't seen Kakashi at all. He had only one visitor asking about the book, but he had nothing to do with Sakura and Kakashi.

Well, Jiraiya conceded, if Kakashi was going to take his time, then he was going to enjoy the unsuspecting entertainment.

His grin watered at his soon to be intimate character co-stars. No matter how many times he sees the girls splash around in skimpy suits, Jiraiya could never tire of it. To him, it was the ultimate desire.

The Beautiful, Wet, Untouchable Female Goddess Trio of Water Elemental Appeal. That is the title he gave them which he thought fit perfectly. You could never have too many adjectives when describing such a perfect obsession.

Jiraiya had stopped drawing long ago as his eyes stared unblinkingly through the bushes. He was to busy catching every supple movement and expression, committing it to memory to use later that he didn't detect the small projectile aimed in his direction. He didn't even sense the appearance of his attacker as he landed ten feet behind him.

The fist sized rock struck Jiraiya in the back of his head. Kakashi wasn't expecting the rock to actually hit the older ninja, but he wasn't disappointed or sorry to watch the white haired perv get thrown through the shrubbery and faceplant into the rocky-bottom river edge.

Screams pierced his ears sharply and shouts of 'Pervert' and 'You again! Get him!' rang out over the green plants in front of him. Kakashi almost couldn't hear the girly squeal of Jiraiya or his audacious remarks on their beauty over the three female's ruckus. Sharp and blunt objects flew passed him through the leaves followed by the old man as he dove ,spazing through the bush and ducked.

Jiraiya looked up and grinned from his crouched position when the projectiles stopped, still holding the sketches that were intact and whole. He jumped up and cupped his face and yelled back over to the women. "I still have your pictures! Be sure to check yourselves out in next month's issue!" One of the girls snarled indignantly and the next instant one of Jiraiya's wooden shoes shot through the bush and smacked him in the face and scattered some of his drawings.

Kakashi sighed as Jiraiya twitched with a mouthful of his shoe. It was sometimes ridiculous what the man did to entertain and make a scene.

Still twitching and slobbering on his shoe, Kakashi decided to drag the pathetic nimrod back to his secluded hut-home. It helped his low chivalry to drag the old coot by the end of his long white hair.

XxX

Jiraiya sipped his freshly brewed tea casually and disregarded the twitching eye staring at the band aid on his forehead. The bump left by one end of his attacking clog was tenderly covered by a smiling pink bunny head band aid, which Jiraiya thought was sorta cute.

It helped to divert Kakashi from the reason he was there for a while. And he really liked silly useless things. Maybe he could give the Copy Nin one before he left…or just keep them to himself.

Kakashi didn't touch his tea. It was hard to look away from the crazy band aid sticking to the old man's forehead. It seemed to urge him to use it as a target. Punch the funny bunny face-break-lash and win your sanity back. Bonus points if can get it to quit smirking at you. Use intense flames.

All of a sudden, he really hated pink bunnies.

"So," Jiraiya finally finished his third cup of tea and couldn't drink any more. Plus, the look Kakashi was sending to his little bunny friend worried him. "I take it you are here because you want to tell me in person how much you loved my gift?"

"You could say not." He replied smoothly and leaned back in his seat. There was something off in the Sannin's voice that caught his attention. Was Jiraiya anxious, or tying not to laugh? He couldn't tell.

"Ah, then I'll remember to make you pay next time." The two ninja stared off, daring the other to break contact. Jiraiya was a difficult opponent to figure out. Ibiki would be a piece of cake compared to the expressively difficult stare of the pervert. Kakashi didn't look away though. He'd catch something if he kept watching.

Jiraiya enjoyed the scrutiny knowing the kid wasn't going to find anything. As they stared off, he noticed the darkness of his eye, the bags and top lid looking bruised from lack of sleep. He could almost see the fatigue straining his body and shaking slightly. Kakashi's whole appearance was more disheveled than usual. His hair was darker and slick from not being cleaned and his clothes were worn from constant wear.

Sakura's bait must have been working better than he thought. It was a tickle to know he was a part of it. He could also use this information as an excuse to pester the sexy Hokage.

Kakashi casually surveyed the small room, noting the writing junk and pictures that littered the tables. It was the shelves of albums that stayed his focus. The albums came in all sizes and female names labeled the spines. Some of the names he recognized and others were unknown. He saw that Anko's album was fairly large compared most of the others, which was creepy. The largest one was Tsunade and spanned a total of eight extra large books.

Then, Sakura's name caught his attention. It was pretty big but not too large. It was a good guess to say the albums held pages of pictures. A small part of him was disgusted with the older man, and another part impressed. Kakashi didn't have the guts or initiative to take pictures of women, especially Anko. "What made you change your material? I'm a little disappointed." Kakashi didn't look away from Sakura's album. He couldn't stop thinking of her, staring at her and now he couldn't look away from her name. But, at least it was better than staring at a stupid mocking bunny band aid.

He was pretty far over the line by now. It wouldn't help to think how much further he could fuck up with his morals and libido. He'd already crossed the line with rabid rats the minute his eyes caught a look at her shorts.

Jiraiya nodded sagely. "I see, I see." He saw through the façade well enough and thought of a way to unset him. Kakashi thought he could fool him, but Jiraiya knew more than he did. It wasn't going to work. He could evilly cackle at his idea. He was a devil of a man. Ha, when they bullshit, throw it back. That's how he worked. "You're angry that I used Sakura in my book the way I did. If I had known she was yours I would have used some one else." Kakashi chocked on his tongue but Jiraiya went on. "You can't blame a man like me for noticing such unique beauty. Plus it's easy to crave her innocent cuteness and damnable magnificence with mind numbing ferocity." But throw it back in disguise. Added with ridiculous poetry. Oh, Jiraiya considered himself very sly.

"Damnit man!" Kakashi crashed his knuckles down onto Jiraiya's head. "She isn't mine, ok? Why would you think she was?"

He rubbed his sore head, wishing he could put a bunny band aid on it over his hair. The other ninja didn't hit near as hard as Sakura or Tsunade, but it still stung. On the bright side, his reaction only proved that he was pretty unhinged over the pink haired beauty. "Well what else am I to suspect? First you suddenly show up and attack me with a rock, glare at me, stare at her album without saying anything and then try to convince me you don't like the book. It's obvious the only reason you're here is because Sakura is in it and you're jealous and possessive. You never said a thing before when I used your other friends. Not even that one hotel maid you spent some time with."

"That is different. Sakura is my student,"

"Ex student." Jiraiya interrupted.

"My friend," He hissed instead. "And I don't believe it's right that Sakura's image is being sold to please perverted men. It's immoral."

"Perverts like you maybe?" He grinned slyly as Kakashi's lips strained behind his mask. He stood up, infuriated that the guy could say such a thing, even if I was true. Kakashi's hands twitched ready to form hand seals. Jiraiya crossed his arms and leveled Kakashi with an intimidating gaze. "Don't try it, Kakashi. You know you'll end up the loser, no matter how hard you fight."

He was right and Kakashi knew it. But still, to have the truth thrown so bluntly in his face when he was trying so hard to deny it was damning. Instead of saying anything back or fighting him, Kakashi turned his back on the Sannin and squared his shoulders. "I'd like to take that smirk off your face, but it would be pointless. It's impossible to recall all the books and the damage is done. But I don't want to see her in there again. If I do…" He left the threat hanging and walked out of the small house, leaving an amused old man behind him.

Three steps out of the door, Kakashi sighed in defeat and flipped irritably to the third chapter. In the immortal words of anyone giving into temptations, "Fuck it," he growled and began his self-torture.

Jiraiya could hardly sit still in his seat while Kakashi disappeared. Excuse or not, Tsunade had to hear about this.

Sakura seemed to have that man in all sorts of trouble after only three days. He couldn't wait till he read chapter six. If he had any strings left of his control after that, then Kakashi wasn't human.

Not even a celibate monk could go unaffected after that.

Jiraiya laughed so loud and hard the entire little building shook.

Kakashi chose to ignore it in favor of mental stimulation.

XxX

"I'm not going to allow you to blow up trees because you're angry."

"I'm not angry, I'm murderous. Don't those brats know gratitude? I use my chakra to help them and all they do is pummel us with everything they can throw. And their parents didn't try to stop them. They just bowed and apologized like it was no big deal!"

"Calm down, Sakura. You're working yourself up to much over this. Look, your arms are so full of chakra they are burning blue."

"I have gum in my hair, Neji! Don't you dare tell me to calm down when it comes to my hair. Short hair is fine but I have no intentions of ever going bald."

"You don't have to shave your head. It's only a little bit of hair and if you'd just calm down I can cut it out. I'll even make it so no one will notice that it is shorter than the rest."

"But… No! You can't touch my hair with that knife!"

"I know what I'm doing. My hair is longer than yours and I have had gum in mine too."

"Oh…ok. Just be careful. I'll kill you for every mistake you make. I swear I will."

"Sure. Now stop twitching and stand still."

"Oh man, you're actually cutting my hair. You really are."

"Calm down. Damn, here look. I'm done."

"My hair! My precious hair is glomped with sticky gum. I'll never throw it away."

"It's mostly gum. That's just a tad nasty."

"Hush, it holds a part of me within it. Like my baby."

"I uh…yeah, you're fucking crazy."

"Slightly mental with a side of insanity."

"That's worse."

"I know. I think so highly of myself. And I'm creative too. See? My hair ball now is a pink hairy turtle."

"…ner…"

"You're no fun, you know that? Geeze, I was just kidding. You need to work on your sarcastic bullshit."

"You're just a little to convincing. And creepy."

"I needed an outlet for my murderous anger. It worked. I'm not all that mad any more."

"No, you're still mad. I'm going to get you some help when we get back. It's for your own good."

"See? You can be funny if you want to be."

"I'm not joking. You need help."

"Awe fuck! Neji, I'm just joking!"

"That's what they all say."

"That's irrelevant. This is Sakura we're talking about, not 'they'."

XxX

Ino checked her watch again with impatience. It was only four thirty and she still hadn't found Kakashi. If she didn't get him to the gates by five, than Sakura was going to be pissed.

It was great to know that Sakura was finally going after what she wants, but there was no reason to drag her into this. If Ino had known before hand how hard it was going to be to find the older man, then she would have refused to help.

Now she was running around the village looking for a man known for being late. With her luck, she'd find him by supper time and he'd say he'd been walking around all day or had a splinter...you never knew with him.

Ino smacked her forehead and groaned. There was only ten minutes left to meet Sakura now and Kakashi was still missing. No one had seen him all day! And she'd asked total strangers in desperation.

"Yo," there was a tap at her shoulder and Ino turned around. "So, I heard you were looking for me." Kakashi grinned behind his mask at the blank look Ino gave him. Some one had stopped him when he came back to the village after leaving Jiraiya and said a raging blonde had been looking for him for hours. He could only assume the raging blonde was Ino, and he had been right when she turned around and twitched. Judging by her unruly appearance, she'd been running for a while too.

The pressure in her head slowly built and stopped her mental process for a time. Ino could only stare blankly at the masked ninja as her anger and anxiety surged past her control looking for an outlet. The release came as a piercing scream accompanied by intense hair yanking.

"Kakashi Hatake, I could kill you right now!" Ino stomped and raged, cursing Kakashi for her troubles and Kakashi found it was easier to let the woman scream than to get bit shushing her. So he just leaned back and ignored her until she was ready to calm down. When she was huffing and catching her breath, Kakashi cleared his throat and waved passively.

"Well, it's good to see you to Ino, but I think it would be easier to understand what your saying if you'd scream softer. So?" He laid his hand out flat, offering her the chance to talk.

She had the modesty to blush and straiten her hair, but Ino was still irritated. It was just her luck to be the one picked to find him. Naruto gets to go camping while she chases a goose. "Sorry about yelling at you. But I've been looking for you all day."

"So I've heard."

"And I want to ask a favor." Ino finished it off with a pleading pout.

"Well," He scratched his masked chin. "It depends on what you ask."

"I need you to meet Sakura at the gates in-"She checked her watch. "Six minutes when she gets off from her mission."

Her name had him paling and his heart jumping oddly. He didn't like the sudden reaction. It was just her name. "Why not get some one else?"

"Because she asked me but I have important plans and Naruto is busy with Hinata." Sakura told her to just wing it, make up a story to eliminate any one he could think of the take his place. She just hopped she was a good enough liar. Ino was never good at hiding information.

"Sasuke?"

"Sure, yeah, he'd be happy to stop what he's doing for Sakura." He winced at the obvious sarcasm.

"And Lee? He'd do it."

"Busy training and only on his second set of laps. He wouldn't stop long enough to hear me out."

"Right, well, see you around. Good luck with Sakura." He waved and turned around, flipping his red book open to where he left off on chapter three. Sadly, Kakashi only got three steps before painful claws clamped onto his shoulder and twisted him back around. Ino's red and raging scary face shoved its way past his steel bubble and snarled.

"Just for that buster, I'm making you go. If Sakura tries to yell at me for not being there I'll be happy to blame it all on you. It'll be you who stood her up, you to face her angry fist and another broken nose."

He did wince slightly in fear of a broken nose, but the really scary part was the intense amount of spit hitting his face and slowly seeping through his mask.

There was just something about spit that worked his gag reflex up enough to choke him. Kakashi shook his head back and forth to keep from ralfing and Ino took it as him saying he'd go. Which Kakashi would argue about if he could talk, but the threat of puke in a mask was stalling him.

When Ino walked off and left him on his own, Kakashi found and hid behind a tree long enough to catch his breath and swallow the sour pre-puke. Then, not wanting to put a slobbery smelling mask back on, he took off his shirts and vest and turned the shirt-part-mask backwards. It was uncomfortable, but at least the smelly spit was at his neck instead.

He was almost sure no one saw him partially strip. But it was pretty fucked that he chose today to wear the mask attached to the shirt. What happened to practical wear? When did his every day clothes get complicated?

Stepping out from behind the tree and adjusting his vest, Kakashi flipped open his friendly book and continued his reading on the way to meet Sakura. There was just no escaping the woman, either in his mind or in person. It was something he was slowly convincing himself was futile.

Furthermore, if he was to go by what he was reading, then there was no way to get away from her. He was halfway through the chapter and in the extra two minutes taken to walk to the gates, there was no surprise in the similarities of his life and the book.

It was almost expected to read about Sensei's mental battle over his obsession, on how he couldn't get her out of his head, wanting to be near her, wanting her, getting stalker tendencies, and what ever else she could possible pop up in, she does. He should have been suspicious, surprised or even a little bit freaked out as he read about that very day, not including the trip to visit Jiraiya, and how he was on his way to the gates. But he found it was almost comforting to have his chaotic emotions and tremulous mental bantering put into simple words and easy to understand terms.

He could connect with Sensei on a mental level, and somehow it was like the book was telling him what he was feeling and going through. It sorted out his difficulties and indecisions on Sakura and gave him focus enough to concentrate solely on her and not the muddle his mind was in.

And then, in the book, when his inner turmoil was covered and Sensei happened across the kunoichi after her mission -which he couldn't drudge up the effort to break brain lobes thinking about it- Kakashi felt like he had the rational capacity to positively face Sakura without getting distracted by his own thoughts or uncertainties.

Before he fully reached the village gates, Kakashi was able to finish the very last of the chapter. It was more of a filler, meant to give a tour on how Sensei was reacting to the torture so far, but he didn't mind. There was only a brief encounter between the two ninja and it ended with Sensei loosing his cool and ditching Sakura.

Kakashi made a note not to let any random what-not get the better of him. He'd made a fool of himself with Sakura enough as it was. He was just going to keep his mind on clean innocent thoughts and not let his intentions work him over like Sensei had done. The idea that Kakashi was subconsciously trusting what would happen as by the book and not finding it suspicious never occurred to him.

Flipping the pages to the beginning of the chapter, Kakashi leaned against an adjacent building of the open gates to wait for the pink haired trouble. Ino had said to meet the girl in six minutes, but the six minute time frame was passed by at least ten minutes.

He was a slow walker, and plus he had to do an impromptu strip. Well, even though it was later than was planned, Kakashi decided to wait a while, just in case the mission had taken longer.

However, the instant he decided to relax and continue reading, a sharp flare of chakra and a small tornado of dust and rubble kicked up and about obscuring his vision.

"Kakashi," He heard her yell from within the vortex of swimming dirt. Her figure was a blur and then quickly came into focus as she jumped out of the dust. Kakashi had his hand raised and was ready to greet her when she grabbed his wrist and jerked him behind her. "Run!" She yelled back and pulled him along at a slightly blinding speed through the closely spaced buildings.

There was barely a chance to get out more than a strangled "Wha…" before Sakura was pulling him around a corner as someone shouted her name out. Kakashi caught the briefest glimpse of Neji Hyuuga before it was blocked by a stone wall. He could feel the guy's chakra following them, and then realized that Sakura was masking hers.

Still being dragged by the younger woman, Kakashi suppressed his own presence as he felt Neji's slowly move away from them. Sakura noticed Neji's distance as well and slowed her frantic speed down to a casual walk.

She dropped his wrist and jumped around to walk backwards laughing. "Take that, I told him I wasn't going to no psych ward! For my own good, my ass! He just doesn't know how to bump it with the best." She punched her fist excitedly for good measure.

Completely unsure of her odd behavior and the reasons behind it, Kakashi slouched back and slipped his hands into his pockets. "So, dismissing the facts that I might agree with Neji and that you have some issues," He suppressed a snicker as she pouted indignantly and puffed her cheeks. The hidden spark in her eyes gave away her amusement and Kakashi found himself albeit playful all of a sudden. "What happened?"

Her amusement turned to excitement when he continued to play along. "He wants to institutionalize me!" She snapped out with a vicious grin. She crossed her arms like she was haughtily waiting for more. It was clear she was wanting a challenge and Kakashi aimed to…try his best. He hated to admit it, but he wasn't one for word games. In fact, it'd been a while since he'd participated in one and not just casually shrug it off. He'd use what ever he could to keep the battle interesting, and what better way to fight her fiery attacks than with his cool blocks and smooth dodges?

"Now," he slipped his hands from his pockets and crossed him on his chest. "Why would he do that?" He answered her in a calm, patronizing tone. He could feel her energy flare at the challenge and taunt.

"Because he's crazy," her response casual and matter of fact as she turned back around and walked strait again.

Kakashi's eyes drifted to the hem of her kimono as it skimmed her thighs. Suddenly, the game became difficult. He was only partially aware of what he was saying as the rest of his attention was settled on the swish of the hem on skin. "I think you have that backwards."

"No, it's because he's jealous of my hair." Her fingers flipped the pink strands back as she turned slightly to wink at him effectively pulling his focus away from below the waist. She didn't mind him looking, but word tag was much more fun. Kakashi snorted at her audacious comment.

"Ya, that is exactly why. Of course it is." He patted her head as he spoke like she was a child. In a smooth, quick twist, Sakura had replaced her hand in his and held it fast as she skipped beside him.

"Great! You believe me. Told you he was crazy."

Just as quickly, Kakashi pulled out of her grasp and turned back around. Sakura almost cried out, hurt that he would pull from her like he did. She hadn't done any thing wrong, had she?

"I'm going to go get Neji. You're way past critical." The minute fear was instantly forgotten and Sakura jumped after him with renewed excitement. Of course he wouldn't move away from her, what was she thinking?

"No, you can't. I'll threaten you." Wrapping both her arms around one of his, she planted her feet and halted his step. Almost to calmly, Kakashi looked down at her, eyebrow raised.

"With what?" he challenged. Her grin grew as she plotted.

"I'll hang your underwear on a poll." His eyebrow fell comically, well as comically as one eyebrow can at her ridiculous statement.

"I don't wear any." He countered her hoping it would give him an edge.

Sadly, Sakura could only laugh insanely to herself. He was making it to easy for her. With a slow twirl, she moved in front of him and smiled sweetly. Much like a bashful little girl, Sakura ran her fingers along the ends of her kimono while swinging her arms and looking through her lashes. "Neither do I."

The little sound from the back of his throat was an ego boost added with the drop of his eye to her waist before quickly looking back up. He swallowed loudly and tried to keep his eye narrowed. "Liar," he accused when he could make sound again.

"Wanna bet? You can check if you want." Her fingers pulled the edge of her kimono up slowly, daring.

Kakashi gulped again, having nothing safe to reply with. Instead, he could only fake out. "So, uh…are you hungry or something?"

With a shout of triumph, Sakura jumped onto Kakashi's arm to gloat. "You lose!"

"I conceded peacefully. It was safer." like hell he'd admit to pussin out. The game had taken a provocative turn for the worse and Kakashi wasn't prepared for the nasty twist in his stomach at her lifting skirt end. Shit, if he drooled any more then his gag reflex would…reflex again. He couldn't just flip the mask this time around.

She had to know the effect she was having on him by the look in her evil sea foam eyes.

"Pfsh, you just can't handle this, little boy."

High threat of nose bleed, air passage choked. It would be smart to give up now.

"Yah, about that food." damn the shame. He looked away to hide his dazed expression.

"Loser." She punched his arm then looped it with hers. Looking around, Sakura noticed they had been standing in the middle of the road for quite a while. Shrugging and pulling on Kakashi's arm, they started back to walking. "Fine then, lets get some ramen. At least I suck at that." Bad innuendo.

Crap…

A stepping foot somehow forgot what it was doing and Kakashi stumbled and almost tripped. Her arm supported him and she giggled softly. "Don't worry. No one ever beats me at this game." The arrogant twit.

"You are cruel." He murmured dispassionately.

"No, what's cruel is I really don't have any panties."

She was arrogant, but right so. There was only a plume of smoke left in his place as Kakashi made a hasty exit so he could faceplant hopelessly in solitude. In the safety of his apartment.

Kakashi pulled his Icha book out from his flak, hating his predestined agony. Of course he knew the book wasn't giving him any ideas or making him feel anything for Sakura, but now he couldn't delude himself any longer. Everything he was feeling or thinking was genuine. No book could program a person so completely as to corrupt them. What he felt was real all along, just brought to attention by the book, not instigated.

He tossed the book away from him and hit his head against his bed post. Just knowing the truth about a situation didn't mean he couldn't hate it. Tomorrow he'd start worrying about Sakura now that he didn't have himself to sidetrack any attention.

Maybe tomorrow, Kakashi could do something about his attraction rather than be a coward about it.

XxX

Sakura snorted into her hand as Kakashi ran away in a smoky poof. He was becoming more and more amusing to be around. The bouts of teasing was becoming easier and more comfortable.

This could be who Kakashi really is, or a part of him. He had been a mystery for so long.

She was really liking the person he could be if he'd let some one in. Sakura was liking him more and more each day. If luck was on her side, then Kakashi would begin to loosen up around her so that her plan tomorrow would be successful.

The day was ending and since Sakura had no where to be, she turned to go home for a rare night to relax. Her day was exhausting all in all, no thanks to any rotten kids, but her brief moment with Kakashi was calming, almost drugging.

He was a great way to end a day.

XxX

Thank You Reviewers!! You Guys Rock! If I could, I'd scream so loud my throat would explode. A happy scream of course. I'll just have to make do with muffling it in a pillow. Your comments have been a big reason that I've forced myself to keep going. This entire thing is for you, and partially me. Yay!

I had started writing this chapter a week after the second one was posted. I would write, then stare and stare. Put a little bit more and then stare and depress. I had to force myself to do this and it was hard. I have it outlined and planned, but like every day life, achieving the desired outcome is harder than planning it.

I had a bit of a humor moment, the slight parody between Neji and Sakura, but it was partly a lazy moment. Eh, I think I deserve a few half assed freebees.

Shoot, can't tell you when I'll get to update. Hell, I'm living in a one horse town, Kansas, working everyday as a housekeeper trying to make some money to move back to Austin, and I have no friends. The few people I knew before either went to jail, been arrested, or were jackasses, great friends, huh? Needless to say, I have no motivation. Maybe when I get some shit together I can buck up and act like a spaz again. I hate being emo and pathetic but I'm so friggin bored. I'm not giving up on this story though. I love it just as much as everyone else. Luck is just not my friend.

Well, enjoy the story, and I hope the longer chapter makes up a bit for my shortcomings. Oh, and the fourth man will be mentioned in the next chapter. Though, I don't think it's to much of a secret. But it was either end it here or wait another month to write a few more pages. Eh, I chose the former. Hope you guys don't try to hunt me down. I tried my best.

Laters

Ymir-chan