Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
The next morning, Sakura found herself on the way to visit the Memorial Stone. This was the last step she needed to take in order to move forward with planning. Glancing at the familiar training grounds and suppressing any thoughts of her former sensei, Sakura stopped at her destination. The morning sun shined down on the Memorial Stone and illuminated the many names carved in place.
Gently pressing her fingers to the list, she read every name off silently. When reaching Tsunade's, a single tear slid down Sakura's pale cheek. The Fifth Hokage had been like a mother to the woman, taking the young girl under her wing and showing her that she had worth. The legendary sannin had proven that you didn't have to be a male in order to have great fighting prowess. Sakura owed nearly everything to her.
A breeze blew through her hair at that moment, sending the long pink locks blowing about Sakura's face. The leaves off of the trees blew about the space before the shrine. Sakura's emerald eyes sparkled, for she took this as a sign that Tsunade, in her own way, was still looking out for her former student.
Quiet footsteps interrupted the moment. Sensing a familiar chakra, the pink-haired woman turned. 'Of course it would be him.' Inner Sakura growled.
Kakashi stared in surprise at the kunoichi in front of him. He hadn't counted on anyone being up their early, particularly after the huge gathering at The Hideout yesterday evening. He especially hadn't counted on running into Sakura. It seemed no matter how much Kakashi tried to distance himself, she always managed to find him.
Instead of disappearing as he had been doing all week, he continued towards the Memorial Stone. Remaining silent, the much taller shinobi stood beside his former student. His one eye was fixated on her, as he stuck his gloved hands in his pockets nonchalantly. Sakura stayed quiet as well, moving to face the shrine once more. Her slight shoulder brushed his arm, and she stood like that, their bodies just barely touching.
They spent the passing time like that, and the longer they stood like that the more Kakashi felt his control slipping. Her slight shoulder pressing against his arm, her small hand touching his thigh, the curve of her hip brushing his body was enough to fracture his legendary self-control. That wasn't all though. Her body warmth was seeping into him, warming his core. Not only that, but he could smell her. Sakura's scent wafted teasingly in and out of his nostrils, making him want. A man could go mad with this torture.
Kakashi had been trying to stay away from her since that Friday night. Since touching her smooth, delicate skin and gazing into the emerald eyes, eyes that a man could get lost within. Usually when the copy-nin made a resolution, he kept it. He couldn't with this. Somehow, he couldn't stay away from her. Everywhere Kakashi went, there were signs or hints of the pink-haired kunoichi. Now the white-haired ninja had given up on avoiding her.
He willed for time to stand still. Kakashi wanted nothing more than to just stand like that, with her, barely touching her. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Sakura had invaded his mind.
"You have been following me all week, haven't you?" The quiet question came out as more of a statement before Sakura continued, "Then why have you been avoiding me?"
Kakashi's eye remained on the shrine in front of him, studiously avoiding eye contact. It didn't matter though - Sakura's eyes were fixated in front of her as well. She felt as though Kakashi was almost like a wild animal. If she startled him too much, he would disappear on her again.
A sigh shuddered through the lean man's body. He knew that this moment would have to come, but it didn't make him feel any better about it. The normally secretive shinobi had trouble revealing any part of himself, especially private matters such as this. Besides, Kakashi himself didn't even know how he felt or what this was. All he knew was that he wanted Sakura in more ways than one.
"You're right, Sakura." Kakashi acknowledged, noting a small reaction at the sound of his voice saying her name. "You're an observant enough shinobi to know when you're being followed."
"Why would you follow me only to avoid me?" She asked curiously, still not facing him.
Kakashi wondered briefly if the observant kunoichi could sense his anxiousness, or how hard his heart was pounding. Instead he said in a neutral voice, "I've been trying not to give you the wrong idea."
At this statment, Sakura finally turned to face him. Her arms were crossed over her chest and a slim eyebrow was raised at him. "What is that supposed to mean exactly?" She asked quietly. Kakashi knew the many shades and tones of voice she had, and that one was close to being dangerous.
Exasperated, Kakashi faced her. "I'm not what you need Sakura. You are young, vibrant, intelligent, strong and so much more. You need someone who can keep up with you, someone who can experience it all and make new memories with. Not someone who is old, or who you have to worry about dying long before you." He spoke in a rush, obviously having said this to himself a few times before.
A montage of emotions flickered over Sakura's face. Her famous temper was pushing closer to her breaking point at the absolute stupidity of the man in front of her. "Are you kidding me?" The pink-haired kunoichi asked dangerously, her emerald eyes narrowing.
Not giving the copy-nin time to answer, Sakura repeated the question. "Are you kidding me? That is just about the silliest thing I have ever heard." She remarked, becoming more incensed.
"Are you going to tell Asuma and Kurenai that they shouldn't be together because they're shinobi?" Sakura asked him angrily. "How about Naruto and Hinata? Neji and Tenten? Shikamaru and Ino?" She continued naming off couples who both were ninja. "Would you have told any of the great shinobi of the past that they shouldn't have been with the people they love purely because they had also dedicated their lives to the protection of our village? Would you have told them not to bother to have families?"
Kakashi said nothing, his dark eye on the enraged woman before him. She was on a tirade, making her point in more ways then one. He was beginning to feel a little idiotic about his confession.
"If it's one thing I have learned as a jounin of the Hidden Leaf Village," She said, her voice holding an unshakable conviction, "It's that we as shinobi can not cut ourselves off as people. We need to fight for the ones we love, protect them, and hold them close every day that we can. It means that we need to embrace love when we find it and cherish every moment it lasts." Sakura finished, her eyes fired up with emotion. "We don't know this is love. But you're not even willing to give it a chance -"
Kakashi moved. In a flash he grabbed her, crushing Sakura's slight form to his own. He tugged his mask down so quickly that she didn't even see his face. His lips met hers in a rough kiss, but after a moment, Kakashi softened the kiss.
Sakura felt as though she were going to melt. The taller man's hardened body coupled with his skillful lips on hers was creating a raging inferno inside of her. His large hands were gripped around her shoulders, but Kakashi moved them. One moved to the back of her head, tangling itself in her long locks of pink hair. The other moved to grip Sakura's firm rear. A blaze of heat and desire followed the movement of the copy-nin's hands.
When Sakura responded to his kiss by deepening it, Kakashi slid his tongue over her bottom lip. Eagerly she opened her mouth and he slid his tongue into her mouth.
Never being slow to catch on, Sakura slowly rolled her hips against his. Kakashi nearly moaned into her mouth, instead he lightly smacked her behind. The kunoichi ground her hips into his again, feeling something large hardening in his pants.
Kakashi broke the kiss off, nipping her bottom lip as he pulled away. Catching his breath, the wild-haired man looked at Sakura. She was a sight to behold. Her long hair was a mess, her porcelain skin was flushed, her green eyes were glazed over with desire, and her lips were swollen red.
Sakura gazed into the depths of Kakashi's eyes. The sight of his sharingan revealed should have been unnerving, but it was the opposite. She feasted her eyes on the masked man's face, feeling her heart pound at the sight of it. The lower portion of his face was incredibly handsome. His nose was straight, not too small or too strong. Full lips were curved in a teasing smirk, as if Kakashi knew the effect his face had on people. Her fingertips fluttered over his strong, chiseled jaw-line as Sakura leaned in to steal another kiss from him.
Kakashi returned the kiss, then broke it offf again, his lips moving to the kunoichi's sensitive ear lobe. His hot breath panted against it as he whispered roughly, "Not here. Not in the open."
Sakura looked at him searchingly before nodding, her own voice coming out in a breath. "Let's go to my place. Hope you can keep up."
Sakura's nails skimmed over Kakashi's defined chest and stomach. Her head was nestled in the crook of his arm, her bare legs wrapped around his. Kakashi's eyes were closed and his body was completely relaxed. 'Should be after what you did to him!' Inner Sakura smirked triumphantly.
It had been a few hours since their confrontation, hours spent doing mind-blowing things. A small smirk appeared on Sakura's face as she remembered it. Now, they were both laying in her bed naked. 'I can't believe he hid that face all these years.' Inner Sakura remarked dreamily.
Privately, the sated kunoichi agreed with her inner self. It was a crime to hide such a face from the world. Though, Sakura felt touched that the previously masked-nin had revealed himself so completely to her. She wanted to show him that he had made the right choice, and that she wanted him for more than the physical aspects. Although, she mused, sex had been amazing. She should have known that her former sensei was knowledgeable about such things, the man positively reeked sensuality.
Caught up in these thoughts, Sakura didn't notice Kakashi's eyes opening to look at her. His calloused, larger hand touched hers. "Sakura." He said softly, catching her attention.
"Mm?" She replied, caught off guard. Her large green eyes looked into his, and he felt his breath catch.
"I never got to congratulate you." Kakashi told her, a small smile on his face. The hand that was holding hers stroked her soft skin. "About your plan. Tsunade would be proud - I am proud of you and how far you've come."
Hearing the long-awaited words of praise from not only her former sensei, but a man who now viewed her as an equal was enough to make Sakura's heart nearly burst with joy and pride. It had been years since Kakashi had said anything positive to her, and Sakura had nearly forgotten how much his words meant.
Smiling widely, she moved to kiss him quickly. "Thank you, Kakashi."
Hearing her soft voice say his name was enough to make him ready for another round. Ignoring his body's urges, Kakashi began running his fingers through her petal-soft hair. "Do you know how you'll plan it? There are only so many medic-nin in the village, and the hospital takes its fair share."
Sakura closed her eyes at his ministrations, feeling her body relax even more. "I think I have a rudimentary plan figured out. I was planning on bringing it before the Hokage this afternoon."
Chuckling lowly, Kakashi squeezed her hand. "Yet somehow you're in bed with me. I'm a lucky man."
"That you are." She agreed, "I don't just bed anyone you know."
"Lucky enough for another round?" He asked her teasingly.
Sakura's eyes shot open in interest. "I'm sure I could be convinced."
"Let me show you how convincing I can be." He growled, moving to pin her.
It was late in the afternoon when they finally parted ways. Kakashi had agreed to meet her later in the evening, after Sakura had brought the second part of her idea to the Hokage. Sakura was on her way there now, her pleasantly-sore body still tingling with the thrill of his touches. A dreamy expression crossed her face as she opened the door to the sixth Hokage's office.
"Sakura?" A voice she was not expecting asked as the one she did expect shouted, "Sakura!"
Instinctually she covered her eyes, not wanting to see the Hokage and his wife in any compromising positions. Hinata's giggle reassured her that the view was safe. Peeking out just in case, Sakura made sure they were both clothed. Seeing that they were, she removed her hands and sighed. "Don't scare me like that!"
Naruto growled something and glared at Sakura. "Look who's talking!"
Confused, Sakura looked at Hinata. The blue-haired woman was patting Naruto on the back with a smile on her face. "Don't just attack her."
Rubbing a hand through his spiky blonde hair, Naruto said in a calmer voice. "Look, I know I told you to drop the sensei when talking to Kakashi, but this is going a bit beyond that."
A hot blush stole over Sakura's cheeks as she gleaned the meaning behind his words. "How did you know about that - it just happened!"
"The Memorial Stone isn't exactly the most private place for fornicating." Naruto said, his eyebrows raised. "And you live in an apartment complex. There were complaints of noise."
Hinata sighed at her husband's crudeness the same moment Sakura said, "So basically the whole village knows by now?"
"Pretty much." Naruto replied, grinning.
"Great.. Just great." Sakura said, rubbing her temples in annoyance. They had barely figured this out between them, and now everyone would be prying into their relationship.
"Why are you here anyway?" Naruto changed the subject, sensing his friend's irritation. "It's Saturday, normally I'm not in the office."
"Should I leave?" Hinata asked, not wanting to intrude on formal meetings.
"No, no, Hinata." Sakura told her, smiling. "It's actually better if you stay. Part of this plan involves you."
Interested, the couple stood behind the Hokage's desk together, their eyes fixed on Sakura. Feeling unsettled at having their complete attention, Sakura pushed her long hair behind her ears. She had done this before and gotten a positive response. She could do it again. An air of confidence surrounded her.
"Beginning with Academy level students - I think we should bring in a medic-nin to teach basic knowledge of chakra control and medical treatments. Ugai would be best for this. Now, since the hospital would come first," Sakura said, pausing to give them a serious look, "If needed we could swap him out with Kusushi or Mitate. Naturally the Konoha Medic Corps are essential in this, but we would need a schedule to rotate teaching, hospital, and team duties between the three."
Naruto nodded his head, still paying rapt attention to Sakura. This outline would work, though in the beginning it would be rough with giving out so many duties. The only way to have more medic-nin were to train them, he thought to himself.
"Now at genin level, they would have different instructors. They wouldn't be their sensei, but any shinobi that has a talent for medical ninjutsu should continue training their abilities with Hosho, Kito, and Kanpo. Since they wouldn't be training constantly or 24/7, it should be doable between the three."
Sakura took a breath and expelled it, feeling pleased at the nodding of both Hinata and Naruto's heads. "Finally, we have chunin level shinobi and higher. Because of the higher ranks, more medical-nin will be needed to cover them all. If Ino, Hinata," Sakura inclined her head towards the woman, "And myself are available or so choose, we can instruct teams or chunin, jounin, or ANBU shinobi. If we are unavailable, there is Kumadori, Mogusa, and Oyone to do so." She finished.
Silence stretched after her long recitation, and hesitantly Sakura said, "What do you think?"
"It would be a great undertaking of Konoha's medical-nin." Naruto mused, "All the effort and manpower would be worth it though, particularly if we can increase our medical-nin. Especially if another war arises."
Hinata nodded her agreement. "I would be honored to be included in such a movement." Her soft voice added to the Hokage's statement.
"I'll push through the paperwork and instruct the chosen medic-nin on Monday." the Hokage said, "And notify Shizune about the changes she'll need to make in hospital staff as well as the Konoha Medic Corps."
"Thank goodness she heads both of them." Hinata stated.
Sakura smiled, feeling thoroughly pleased with herself. She knew that Shizune would be more than happy to aide the wish of her beloved Lady Hokage as well as do anything in her power to make sure it went off without a hitch.
"Don't look too happy, I still plan on beating Kakashi senseless." Naruto said, ignoring the hand placed on his shoulder by Hinata.
Sakura looked questioningly at Hinata, for she seemed to want to say something. Naruto looked at his tiny wife, curious as well.
"Well.. You said it was time she stopped referring to him as sensei." She muttered, "Kurenai and I sort of.. Well.."
Remembering Naruto's grumbling about Hinata being late to their family portraits and the meeting with Kurenai, then making him challenge Kakashi and not show up for it, Sakura's keen mind pieced the fragments together.
Taking a deep breath, Sakura asked her, "Did you and Kurenai try to get Kakashi and I together?"
Hinata glanced at her husband's dumbfounded expression and Sakura's curious face. "We just gave you a push." She said, a devious smile transforming her face. "Naruto mentioned how down in the dumps you were, and the odd reaction to Kakashi's name. Kurenai told me about how her couldn't keep his eyes off of you. So we just nudged you two in the right direction. Tenten told me that you were going to spar with Lee, so I had Naruto challenge Kakashi then leave him there for him to see you. Then.. Kurenai had Asuma and Genma ditch him while I told Ino my plan. We wanted for you to get together at the bar." She finished, trailing off with a small blush on her face. "We wanted to see you two happy."
Naruto burst into laughter, taking Hinata's small form in a tight hug. "I never knew you had it in you!" He said affectionately.
Sakura blinked in surprise at her friend's plan. Knowing how kind-hearted the other woman was, the pink-haired kunoichi understood that this was for exactly the reason she had conveyed. Sakura smiled and enveloped both Naruto and Hinata in a hug.
"You've spent too much time with this one." Sakura told Hinata with a grin, gesturing to Naruto.
The blonde man released his wife and looked at their friend. "You don't know the half of it."
"Eew! Naruto don't even!" Sakura said, glaring daggers at him. "I don't want to know anymore. I have to go meet Kakashi," she told them, ignoring Naruto's grimace. "So I'll see you both later."
"If you show me his face I swear I'll let it go!" Naruto called after Sakura's retreating form. Ignoring his yell, Sakura shut the door, an amused expression on her face.
They met under the night sky in the middle of the training grounds. Sakura arrived first, waiting for Kakashi under a large tree. Thoughts ran through her mind in a jumble as she watched the stars twinkle above her. The soft crunch of grass and rocks under his feet marked Kakashi's arrival.
Sakura wanted to run up to him, but she stayed in place, berating herself for wanting to act like such an idiot. His customary mask was on, and his eye crinkled happily at the sight of her.
"Yo." He said casually, standing before her. He sensed an awkwardness about her, and decided to abate that immediately. The white-haired shinobi pulled her into an embrace, holding her close. Sakura wrapped her arms around his lean, hard body and felt relief. Their relationship had progressed from student and sensei, to friends, to something more. Yet in changing, they hadn't lost any familiarity.
She released him at the same moment Kakashi released her. With a small smile, Sakura looked at him and said, "Eager Kakashi? One would think you were a little worn out earlier."
Kakashi's hand tucked a loose strand of hair behind the kunoichi's ear. "It seems I have energy for more." He said, a smile hidden behind his mask.
"Does that mean there will be a next time?" Sakura asked him, her green eyes trying to see what the wild-haired copy-nin was thinking.
Kakashi gazed back into her questioning eyes. His voice came out low and serious, "As many times as you'll have me." He paused before continuing, "You can have as much of me as you want."
"So you're..?" Sakura asked hesitantly, leaving off the last word.
"Yours." He replied simply, touching her porcelain cheek. The simple word came out heavily, filled with conviction and meaning.
Emotion arised in Sakura as she cradled the hand touching her own. A watery smile crossed her face and she replied cheekily, "I hope you realize what you've gotten yourself into, Kakashi."
Laughing, he took her into his arms and kissed her forehead. "There's no turning back now. After all, you've seen what is under my mask."
Sakura smiled and took his hand in reply. They began walking back to Konoha together, each of them thinking the same thing.
'Who knew.'
Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update, life interfered. We've reached the end! I want to thank everyone who read, followed, favorited and reviewed this story. Please tell me what you think about it as it's my first 'longer' story.