Chapter 7: What Do You Want From Me?

"Giant Vortex Jutsu!" Kakashi called over the lake by the training field. Water from the lake began to form into a vortex and shot out over the lake. Kakashi performed a few more seals. "Water Dragon Jutsu!" A giant water dragon came up from the lake and slammed into some oak trees, knocking them over. Kakashi then lifted his hia-ate and looked up to the cloudy gray sky. "Amaterasu!" Jet black flames flew from his eyes and cleared the clouds in the area. The sun was shining brighter than it ever did before. Wobbling because of chakra depletion, Kakashi went to sit under an undamaged oak tree. He whipped out his book and continued reading from where he left off.

"Hi Kakashi!" Sakura's voice came.

"Hn?" Kakashi said impassively behind his book.

"Kakashi!" Sakura pleaded. He looked up from his book with his lazy expression.

"What is it Sakura?" Sakura held up a picnic basket.

"Lunch!" She exclaimed with a smile. Kakashi turned back to his book as Sakura laid out a blanket and started to unload the basket. Sakura then turned to look at her ex-sensei, but frowned when she saw his face still hidden behind the book.

"Kakashiiiii!!" Sakura whined. Kakashi sighed, bookmarked the page, and put it back in his pocket. Sakura smiled and handed him a bowl. Kakashi took some rice and vegetables in his bowl and waited. Sakura helped herself and began to eat happily. "Isn't this fun?" She asked.

"Hn." He replied. Sakura frowned at his response.

"Why aren't you eating?" Sakura asked. He didn't even have to answer. Sakura knew that he wouldn't take his mask off while others were around. She just continued to eat slowly. Kakashi's stomach rumbled. I Can't take much more of this. He thought to himself. He took out an exploding tag and threw it in the distance without Sakura knowing. The tag went off and Sakura jumped up to see what had happened. Kakashi quickly shoveled the food into his mouth. Just as quickly, he helped himself to some more rice, and some beef. He finished the second helping quickly and pulled up his mask, and drew out his book again.

During these few seconds, Sakura locked on the source of the target and tried to see if anyone else was around.

"Kakashi! We have to-" she cut herself off as she saw the Copy Nin reading his book again with an empty bowl in front of him. "It was you?" She asked, bewildered.

No response.

"Kakashi that scared the hell out of me!" Sakura screamed.

Still no response.

Sakura ripped the book from his hands, accidentally tearing the book in half. She gasped and felt nervous.

Kakashi stared up at her furious. "Sakura, what do you want from me?" He demanded.

"I just thought…" She began quietly.

"Can you not tell that I am a bit preoccupied right now?" He asked angrily.

Tears filled Sakura's eyes. She turned and ran away, leaving the basket and everything. Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose and looked down at his torn book. He noticed something in the basket. It was something wrapped in tissue paper. There was a card on it. He opened the paper to find the newest edition of Icha Icha Paradise. His eyes softened and he realized what an idiot he was. He opened the card and read 'Happy Birthday Kakashi!' His eye widened. I forgot he though to himself, today's my 32nd birthday. Kakashi felt guilty. He had yelled at Sakura for no reason. Quickly, he cleaned up the food, picked up the basket, and poofed to the house.

Sakura was on her bed crying again. "Why doesn't he talk to me?" She said through sobs. "Maybe he doesn't love me. Maybe I'm just another kid in his eyes. I don't know what's wrong with me." She got up from her bed. "All I do is think about him, day in and day out. He shows me so much kindness, and he saved my life from Sasuke just yesterday. I don't know how to repay him."

"You don't have to." Kakashi said. Sakura spun around to the doorway to see Kakashi with the picnic basket in his hand. She wiped the tears from her face and looked at the floor. Kakashi held up the new orange book. "Because you already did." Sakura turned away from him. She felt a pair of arms encircle her waist, and a chin rest upon the top of her head. "Thank you so much Sakura, and I'm sorry for yelling at you." Sakura felt so relaxed in his arms. She turned around and embraced him as well.

"It's alright Kakashi," She said, "And you're welcome." They just stood there in each others arms for what seemed like forever. He smells so good, Sakura thought, like a forest.

My God, Kakashi thought to himself, She smells so sweet. Like Cherry Blossoms. Kakashi's feelings for Sakura started to unravel and make notice in his mind once again. I love this girl so much, but I don't know if we can really be together.

Sakura released her grip and looked up at her guardian. His jaw line was exposed through the mask. I bet he looks gorgeous under that mask Sakura thought. Without even realizing it, her face was inching closer to his, as she stood on her toes. Kakashi was feeling apprehensive, but allowed her to come closer. Their lips were a few centimeters apart when Kakashi snapped back to reality.

Pop! He poofed away leaving Sakura kissing the air. "Huh? Kakashi!!!!!" Sakura whined. She sat on her bed and pouted. "It's not fair."

Pop! Kakashi reappeared outside the house. Whoa. He thought, I almost let myself go there. He rubbed his forehead and walked to the bar. To his dismay, Genma and Gai were inside.

"Yo Kakashi!" Gai called, waving for him to sit with them. Kakashi sighed and obliged.

"What's up Cyclops?" Genma asked.

"Nothing much, Michael Jackson." He retorted as Genma spit up some of his sake.

"Hey, she said she was 18." Genma shot back. Gai and Kakashi chuckled.

"So Asuma still on his honeymoon eh?" Kakashi asked Gai.

"Yep. The power of youth is compelling them!" Gai said, giving his flamboyant stance. Kakashi ignored the outburst and ordered himself a large sake.

"So how's keeping in eye out for that cutie you're living with?" Genma asked with a sly grin.

"Awkward. And she's still 17 Genma." Kakashi said through a cup of sake. Genma blushed, knowing he just dug his grave even deeper. "Actually, just 5 minutes ago, she tried to kiss me." Gai and Genma both choked on their drinks.

"And??" They both asked.

"Nothing happened," Kakashi said unfazed, "I poofed away." Gai and Genma both relaxed.

"Good thing man," Genma said, "you don't want that kind of attention. Virgins tend to cling. You just have to tell her that you don't feel that way towards her and that's that."

"That's the thing, Genma." Kakashi said in a low voice. "I think…I think I love her too." Gai almost had a heart attack while Genma screamed out "WHAT??!" Everybody in the bar looked at the three before going back to their business.

"Kakashi, that's taboo! You know that! She's underage and your, well, severely over age!"

"Gee thanks." Kakashi said lazily.

"You have to get thoughts like that out of your head," Genma said, "Why don't you take that waitress out, she's always hitting on you, actually take her home and get your mind of the pink haired chick." Kakashi thought about it for a bit. Maybe it would help me take my mind of her. He thought to himself. He turned to the blonde bombshell, and proceeded to walk over to her. "Atta boy." Genma said before turning to talk to Gai again.

Sakura was in her room reading on her medical scrolls. She found it hard to concentrate because she was always thinking of Kakashi in the end. She heard the front door open and then heard Kakashi walking down the hall into his room. She decided that he must be tired. It's 12 AM, he must've been out all night. She started to hear the sound of his bed springs acting up. Hmm? She thought to herself. Sakura got up and walked to his room. She listened and heard him groan, almost as if in pain. Kakashi! She thought he may have been in trouble. She threw open the door and her eyes widened at the sight. Kakashi lay on the bed, his pants down and a blonde woman without her top on straddling his waist.

"KAKASHI!" Sakura squealed.

"Sakura!" Kakashi exclaimed.

"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend Kaka-kun!" The waitress said disappointed.

KAKA-KUN?!??!? Sakura thought angrily. She marched over to the two, grabbed the blonde by her hair and dragged her out the room. She focused all her chakra in her arms, took the blonde by the arms and hammer tossed her out of the house watching her fly in the air and land in the lake. She went back into Kakashi's room and proceeded to unload on the Copy Nin.

"Since when did you start bringing floozies home 'Kaka-kun'?" She yelled.

"Sakura, she was just a-"

"Just a what? A one night stand?"

"Sakura. Who I sleep with is non of your concern nor your business." Kakashi said bluntly.

Sakura looked hurt. "Well they don't love you like I do," she said, "they only want your manhood, not your love." Kakashi sighed and sat up. He patted a spot beside him indicating Sakura to take a seat. She sat next to him but refused to look at him.

"Sakura," He began, "I really don't think that this would work out. I'm 32 now and you're still 17. I'd be a pedophile for even touching you, and Tsunade-sama would have me exiled from the village. I know that you love me, and the truth is,"

Tell her Kakashi

"What I mean is,"

Tell her Kakashi

"I…I,"

FUCKING TELL HER ALREADY!!!!

"I love you too Sakura. Maybe even more." Sakura's head shot up to meet Kakashi's. Her eyes twinkled and her mouth turned into a smile. "I just don't think that right now it would work out."

Sakura leaned forward and gave Kakashi a kiss on the cheek. "Then we shall wait till my 18 birthday." She sad happily.

"Are you sure you want this?" Kakashi asked.

"More than anything." She replied.

Kakashi sighed. "Alright. I'm going to bed."

"Ano…" Sakura began.

"Hn?"

"I've been kind of lonely," She began, "could I sleep with you in your bed tonight?"

Kakashi's eye widened. NO! ARE YOUR NUTS? He thought to himself. "Sakura-"

"Please, just for tonight." She pleaded.

Kakashi sighed again. "Alright, fine. But don't speak of this." He said. Both nins took off their sandals and got under the covers. Kakashi adjusted his hia-ate over both eyes and was half asleep. His nerves tingled when he felt Sakura rest her head on his chest, and put her arm around him for warmth. Kakashi responded by putting his arm around her. Their hands met, and automatically interlocked. For the first time since the incident with his teammates, Kakashi had a great night's sleep.