a/n: This just in! I've started a new KakaSaku fanfic. This next one is more of a sexy comedy and is inspired by one I read just ten minutes ago. The fic was called "After All" by the author Sakura. So god willing you will see this new chapter and soon my new upcoming fic. Hope you all enjoy:

Chapter 23: The Border and Beyond

"How much father Kakashi?" A tired Naruto whined.

"Not much furthur now." Kakashi said calmly. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto were all walking together, trudging behind the Copy Ninja. It was high noon and the summer heat was starting to boil the Konoha shinobi. July meant hot weather for all countries, but Lightning Country seemed to be getting the worst of it. Naruto looked at his comrades who were sweating just as much as him. He let out a whine again.

"Are we there yet??" He asked.

"Yes." Kakashi responded, coming to a halt. All three heads looked up. Just a few yards ahead of them stood the ANBU elite, Yamato. His cat mask was in place, keeping his face hidden for purposes of spies in the area. Although, they didn't know why there would be spies. It was an open field, and there was nowhere to hide. Kakashi walked forward and bowed to his colleague. "Nice to see you again, Yamato."

"Pleasure as always, Kakashi-senpai." He pulled a scroll from his back pocket and handed it to the silver haired jounin. "Recent news from the Raikage." Kakashi opened the scroll and read. His face remained impassive as the he read the details of a draft.

"Do you suspect an invasion?" Kakashi asked. Yamato didn't move.

"That is the most logical reasoning behind this tactic." He responded. Kakashi rolled up the scroll and handed it back to the ANBU captain. "There will be a cottage on the outskirts of the captial. That will be your base of operations, and shelter during your mission. If everything goes as planned you will be in Konoha within 3 weeks time." Sakura's face lit up. So we may get home in time for my birthday. Kakashi knew what she was thinking when he saw her face. "If there is nothing else then I shall head on forward." Kakashi bowed again.

"Thank you for your help Yamato." The ANBU captain nodded his head and disintegrated into the wind. Kakashi turned to his team.

"Alright people we have 4 days to reach the capital. Let's get a move on."

The weather during the four days was unpredictable. One day there was sweltering heat, the next it poured. The group traveled through the extreme conditions, trying to keep with the calculated time. All the while, their main focus was the mission objective. Lightning Country was primarily made up of plains. This helped the nins keep a look out for enemies that are after Kakashi. One thing was for certain; whatever the Raikage was doing, was definitely not for the well being of any outside country. In fact, Kakashi believed that the draft was purposed for an invasion of Konoha. It's been 6 years since the Sound-Leaf war, and Konoha's strength is back to normal, but war was the last thing Tsunade wanted. She herself was considering retirement at an early age. 6 years as a leader was enough to drive her nuts. Kakashi remembered the talk she had with him back home.

"I'm getting old Kakashi." Tsunade said with a smile.

"Really Tsunade-sama, you look 25 to me." Kakashi responded lazily. The honey eyed Hokage looked up at the silver haired jounin.

"This body may be 25 on the outside, but inside it's 56. I can't keep going on like this." She looked out towards the village. "It's time for a new Hokage." Kakash raised his eyebrow.

"You think Naruto is ready?" Tsunade sighed and shook her head.

"No," she said quietly, "he's not ready yet. It's gonna kill me to tell him, but I just can't." Kakashi rubbed his chin.

"Then who?" He asked. Tsunade looked Kakashi dead in his obsidian eye. He caught the hint and shook his head vigorously.

"No. No way. I can't do it. I won't do it." He replied.

"You have to Kakashi. You're the only one qualified. We have plenty of warriors, but none of them can lead like you. You were an ANBU captain. Better than your father, records say. If you won't do it, then we have no replacement." Kakashi sighed in defeat.

"Tsunade-sama, I don't know how to run the village. Who's going to show me the ropes?"

"I'll assign an assistant for you." She said.

"I still don't know. Naruto will hate me for this."

"We can wait on it. For now, just go and serve the village the way you normally do."

It was day four of the traveling, and the team saw the bustling capital city in the distance. They kept walking and saw a cottage just outside the city, limits. Kakashi walked faster until he was standing in front of the old cottage. It was made entirely of oak. A bit worn down, but a place of shelter none the less. Kakashi walked to the door and knocked. Nobody answered. He slowly opened the door and saw a scroll lying on the table. He walked in, the other Nins following him. Sakura took the left flank, Sasuke the right; Naruto closed the door, and then took the point. Kakashi unraveled the scroll as the others checked the house for any traps or bugs. The scroll gave instructions on how to get to and inside the capital building. Needless to say, Kakashi didn't need the latter part. He memorized the building's blueprints inside and out thanks to his last mission here. He rolled up the scroll and tossed it into the air. Quickly he performed a few seals and blew a flame from his thumb and forefinger burning up the scroll.

"We'll camp here for the rest of the mission." Kakashi said to the others. They all nodded in agreement. Team 7 looked around the cottage some more. There were two bedrooms and a small kitchen area. All of the cabinets were empty. Sasuke and Naruto took one room while the shinobi couple took the second. They unpacked and got settled in their new quarters. Kakashi called for a team meeting in the main area. He stood with his arms crossed in front of him. They all took formation standing in a full circle. The Copy Nin put his arms behind his back and began briefing.

"Alright," he started, "this mission is strictly for gathering information. Our job is to find out why I am wanted by the Lightning Country so badly and to figure out what this draft is being called for. If anyone is to be discovered, the mission is compromised. If that be so, your priority is to evacuate to Konoha. I have plotted an escape route that should help you get home within three days. The escape rendezvous point is located 10 clicks east of this point. Now here this very carefully," Kakashi said, putting a serious face on, "if I am to be captured, do not waste time getting me out. Use all the teamwork you can to help each other but leave me behind. I am the reason this mission was started in the first place. If I am captured, and if any of you rescue me, you put the entire village at risk of war. Assume me dead and head back to Konoha." Sasuke remained impassive while Naruto clenched his fist at the thought of leaving his former sensei behind. Sakura outwardly protested but one look from Kakashi kept her quiet. The Copy Nin smiled underneath his mask. "So let's not try to screw up eh team?" They all gave small smiles. "Alright, we go tonight."

It was late, and the sun had just disappeared over the horizon. Kakashi was outside observing the beauty of the sunset for maybe the last time if things went bad. Sakura came up behind him and forcefully turned him around. "What was with that speech about leaving you behind?" She demanded. Kakashi sighed.

"Sakura, I don't want to be the cause of an inter-country war."

"That's not the point!" She screamed on the verge of tears. "You promised you wouldn't leave me." Kakashi lowered his head.

"I will try my hardest to stick to that promise. However if the situation arises, I will have to break it. For your sake and the rest of the village." She punched him in the chest. She repeated once more weakly then collapsed into his arms in tears.

"It's not fair!" She cried into his flak vest. "It's just not fair! Why does it have to be you? Why do you have to be the savior of the village?" Kakashi's gaze softened as he looked at the young kunoichi in his arms. "They use you as a tool. You're just a weapon to them! They don't see what I see! They don't see Hatake Kakashi, the human being! They don't love you like I do! They CAN'T love you like I do!" Kakashi's heart dropped into the Abyss. She cried heavier, soaking his flak vest. The silver haired jounin rubbed circles around her back to sooth her. He lifted her chin as they stood there face to face.

"Seeing that anything can happen after this point, I think you deserve to see." He put his fingers up to his mask. "I will do this only this one time Sakura, so get a good look." He smiled under his mask. Sakura watched as he slowly pulled the soft fabric down his face. Sakura's eyes widened. He was the most beautiful being she had ever laid eyes on. The pink haired kunoichi was speechless as she stared at the perfect jaw line and untouched skin that looked silky smooth. She lifted her hands to his profile and touched his cheeks. Her fingers melted into the texture of his skin. Kakashi took hold of her hands and brought them around his beck as he pulled her in for one the most passionate kisses he had ever given her. She groaned in the back of her throat as the pleasurable sensation took over her. His lips were as soft as marshmallows. She opened her mouth a little wider allowing his tongue access to inside her orifice. His tongue gently massaged hers. Another groan emitted from her mouth. They broke apart for air.

"I love you, Sakura." Kakashi breathed. He moved his head down and rained kisses on her neck. She groaned louder and with a higher pitch.

"I love you," she breathed, "I love you so much Kakashi." They were like that for a while and then they broke apart. Kakashi held her in his arms as they looked towards the lighted city, his mask back up in place. Sasuke and Naruto left the cottage and walked on either side of Kakashi.

They looked to their destination. This is what they risked life and limb for. What lies ahead, no one knew. The only thing certain was that this mission would really put their skills to the test. Sasuke had thoughts on what Naruto had told him just inside before they left.

"Sasuke." Naruto called. The black haired nin looked up.

"What's up?" he asked. Naruto looked out the window.

"There may be a point where I need to use the Amatsu-mari." Sasuke narrowed his eyes at his comrade.

"No there won't, because we have a big enough arsenal that you won't need to use that move." Naruto scoffed.

"Come on Sasuke, you know as well as I do what we are up against if we are caught." Sasuke looked away from the blonde. "If I do lose my life, please bring this back to Hinata for me." He pulled a small black box out of his pocket and tossed it to Sasuke.The Uchiha heir opened the box and his eye widened as he saw a diamond ring the size of a large pebble. "I was planning on asking her to marry me before we went on this mission." Sasuke closed the box and kept it safe next to his heart.

"You got it Naruto." He replied. Naruto turned to his friend with watery eyes.

"I'm really glad you came back Sasuke." Sasuke smiled.

"I'm glad to be back Naruto."

They looked out towards the city and then to Kakashi. He bowed his head and then looked up. "Ready guys?" He asked. All nodded there heads.

"Hmph!" Sasuke confirmed.

"Hai!" Sakura said.

"Bring it on bitch!" Naruto said.

"Now then," the Copy nin said, "GO!" They disappeared from sight. And so it went.