Chapter 12 A Snake in the Leaves

Sakura swung the door to the hospital room open. She had tried to prepare herself for what lay behind it but the sight still made her gasp. Sasuke lay on the bed unconscious, pale, and bleeding. Ino was standing over him trying to summon up her chakra in an effort to heal the many slashes that littered his shoulder and back. There were tears running her cheeks and her shoulders were shaking.

Sakura suppressed her fears and walked over to Ino. She placed her hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Ino," she voice was soft but steady.

Her friend looked up fresh tears welling up in her blue eyes. "There so many…" Ino sobbed hysterically, "They won't close."

"There must be some sort of venom preventing the cuts to heal," she stated this more to herself than to Ino, however she suddenly turned on her thinking of another blonde, her eyes wide as something dawned on her. "Where is Naruto?"

The question took Ino by surprise. "He is fine. Sasuke is in more need of your help." She blurted misunderstanding the motive of the other's question.

"I know!" She knew that Naruto wouldn't be hurt with his self-healing ability. "I need him to tell me what did this to Sasuke so I can heal him faster."

Moegi, who had followed Sakura to the room, had figured out why she was asking about Naruto and rushed out to find him. It turned out he had been standing outside the room; having run over once he heard Sakura was there.

"It was Kisame's Shark Skin sword." Naruto said swiftly hearing her reason for wanting to see him after Moegi had pulled him inside.

Sakura turned her head meeting his eyes for a moment before turning back to Sasuke limp form. She bent over, hands glowing green over his wounds. "I'm assuming the venom has to be water based then. This may take awhile since the human body is made up of mostly water."

Those were the last words she spoke. She couldn't waste time explaining what she was doing. Sasuke didn't have time. Naruto also realized this so he took the shaking and sobbing Ino by the shoulders and escorted her outside. Moegi stayed and assist Sakura by handing her whatever she needed and wiping the sweat from her forehead with a towel.

Hours passed and the first rays of the sun rose over the horizon. Sakura's hands burned from all the chakra that had passed through them. She was exhausted. It was a good thing that she had finished healing Sasuke's injuries since she could tell she didn't have much chakra left. She took the towel from Moegi and wiped her face and hands.

"Stay with him while I tell the others he is current condition." The young girl also showed signs of the long night. "I'll get a medic to take over," she added with a weak smile.

She stepped into the hallway. Ino and Naruto looked up at her, lines of worry etched on their faces. "I was able to extract the poison and then heal his wounds." She tired to give them a reassuring smile but she was too tired to move the correct muscles.

"Thank Goodness!" Ino exclaimed.

"You two should go. Rest." Sakura told them in a low voice; fatigue not allowing her to raise it above a whisper.

"What about you?" Naruto walked up to her, putting his hands on her shoulders since she was starting to sway.

"I'm going to the nurse quarters. There are cots there. I don't want to be far from Sasuke at the moment." Naruto didn't seem convince. "Don't worry about me." Again she tired to smile.

"Fine. I let you have your way now since Sasuke needs you close. Come on, Ino, I walk you to your place."

"Oh, one more thing." She called after them and they turned. "As you pass the nurse's station, get someone to relieve Moegi she is dead on her feet."

Ino nodded, "You should look in the mirror."

As they turned the corner and were out of sight, Sakura took one step in the direction of the nurses' quarter but her legs wouldn't support her anymore, crumbling under her. Her eyes barely narrow slits, she didn't see the floor but she prepared herself to slam into it hard. Her body being just dead weight now. The hardness and coldness never came. Instead she felt herself fall onto something strong but soft and warm. Her eyes wouldn't open for her to see, they were doing the complete opposite. Unconsciousness overwhelmed her.

Kakashi had been walking down the hall to check on Sasuke when he saw Sakura step out of the room. He halted a few feet away, listening to her speaking to Ino and Naruto. He knew she was spent. He noticed her hands were raw from the extended use of chakra and her legs shook under her. Luckily, he had the speed and reflexes to catch her before she hit the ground.

He cradled her in his arms to the beds in the nurses' quarter. As he lay her down and was about to slid his arms from under her, she reached for him. Her hands through swore and weak held on to his vest with surprising strength. He smiled to himself, knowing he was trapped (not that he minded much). He lay next to her wrapping his arms around her and she buried her face into his chest and began to purr just like the night they had slept together on her futon.

He knew he should be stronger willed and leave. This was wrong; he would pay for it later. She had told him that she didn't love Sasuke but he knew Sasuke felt differently. Add that to the facts that she was his ex-student and being 14 years his junior.

Remembering kissing her a few hours ago sent waves of happiness through his body. It was a feeling he never thought he would experience. He absentmindedly stroked her back and laid his head on hers smelling her vanilla scent locks. Maybe all these obstacles could be over come. She did seem to feel the same way about him. It was in the way she kissed him back.

The sun was hugging the western horizon by the time Sakura awoke. She was still tired and her body, especially her hands ached. Her chakra still hadn't complete replenished itself. Despite the soreness she felt blissful as if the night before had been only a bad dream. When she finally opened her eyes she knew why she felt like that.

Kakashi was right beside her, snoring slightly, mask less and his arms wrapped tightly around her. She traced his lips with her finger before she lightly pressed her lips to them. She leaned back to pull away but was taken aback when he place his hand on the back of her head and pushed her back into a kiss. A much deeper one the second time around.

"That's the way to say good morning." He smiled warmly releasing her.

"I…thought…" She struggled to recompose herself, "you were still sleeping. Besides it isn't morning anymore."

He laughed at the effect his kiss had. "I guess your right. For future reference, that's how you should greet me."

"Is that so?" She gave a teasing grin. "I'll do just that next time a run into you in the Hokage's office."

"Um…" he looked nervous for a minute then turned serious, "maybe just in private for now. There are certain things that we should take care of first."

"Right." The playfulness drained from her face, her thoughts going to Sasuke. "How is Yamato?" she asked shunning from the Sasuke topic.

"He is fine. Thanks to Tsunade."

"That's wonderful. I'm relieved. Naruto is fine too. Though that isn't much of a surprise." Sadness filled her eyes so she lowered her gaze. It wasn't an easy thing to do; she loved looking at his handsome face.

He kissed her forehead and got up from the cot. "Go ahead and check on your patient. I'll see you later."

"You promise you won't start avoiding me again?" she asked afraid of spending any considerable length of time away him.

"I promise." He reassured her before raising his mask over his face and disappearing out the window.

"Hello Sakura-san." The blonde nurse with a pixie haircut greeted her. She was standing by Sasuke bed with his medical chart in hand.

"Hello. How is he?" Sakura walked over, reaching her hand for the chart.

"He is blood pressure is normal. His heart rate as slowed to an average range. But he hasn't regained consciousness."

"Mmm" she read over the chart carefully. "I see he has been given the routine of IV fluids. I would also like to run some blood test to see if there are any traces of the water-base toxin remaining in his system."

"Yes, ma'am."

The rest of the evening was spent running tests on Sasuke. Sakura wasn't going to risk any of toxin stay in his blood stream. Water poisons were extremely dangerous. The tests didn't reveal any remnants but just to be safe he was given anti-venom through his IV.

Sakura stay with Sasuke the rest of the night. She read and reread his chart, checked his IV and bandages, took his temperature to check for infections. She finally tired herself out and sat dozing off in an armchair.

"Sakura" Sasuke's voice was raspy from not being used for two days.

"Sasuke!" she jumped up excited to see him awake. "How are you feeling?"

"Like shit to be honest." He winced as he shifted positions "but I'm happy to see you." He smiled weakly.

"I'm happy to see you too." She smiled back.

"Does that mean you have forgiven me for being an ass before I left?" He placed his hand over hers.

She looked at their hands touching and felt a pang of guilt. She knew she should tell him that her affections for him were only platonic. How could she through? He had just woken up from almost dying. She would wait until he was recovered. Kakashi would understand.

"I have," She looked straight into his onyx eyes, "but I won't stand you speaking to me like that again." She said the last part firmly. She was older and stronger now. She refused to give him the power he used to hold over her.

As word got out that Sasuke was awake, there was soon a line of their friends and many of his admirers (whom were turned away) outside his hospital room.

It was on one visit where Naruto brought the gang of guys that Sakura took the chance to escape to her flat to shower and rest. It had been more than 48 hours since had been home or near a shower. She had to be looking like some sort of disgusting zombie.

Sakura walked out of her bathroom wearing sweat pants and a tank top; towel drying her pink hair.

"Hello." The deep male voice made her jump.

"Kakashi!" She exclaimed as she noticed the copy ninja setting on the open futon. "Don't do that. My heart almost stopped."

"Sorry." His voice was flat. He hadn't taken his mask off like he usually did when he was around her. "I waited for you last night."

"Oh right. I'm sorry." She sat on the futon stayed about a foot away from Kakashi. "I was in the hospital. Sasuke woke up."

"Ah I see." He knew what she wasn't saying. "You didn't tell him." It wasn't a question.

She traced the pattern of her duvet with her finger, she shaking her head in reply.

"Sakura," he stopped her tracing by taking the hand in his and with his other placing it under her chin lifting her face their eyes locking. "Are you sure you want to be with me?" She opened her mouth to speak but he put his finger on her lips. "Wait, let me finish before you answer. There are complications when it comes to you and me."

"There isn't any rule against it." Sakura protested ignoring his finger. "You are no longer my sensei and I'm over age."

"True but that wasn't what I was referring to," His face was solemn.

She remained quiet for a moment. She didn't want to here the answer to the question she was about to ask. "Is it Keiko?" she whispered.

He laughed at the absurdity that Keiko could possibility hold a candle to the most beautiful cherry blossom. "Absolutely not." He took her face in both his hands, looking into those bright jade eyes. "I'm not sure how to let know my feelings for you. It is something I have never felt before." He kissed her with all the emotions he felt for her.

If Sakura had been questioning how Kakashi felt about her, she now sure of his feelings. She felt same for him. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him back with equal amount of emotions.

Kakashi pulled away, his mind focusing on the subject of their conversation, which was not an easy thing to do. Any other man would have given in to the urge in his body to forget the rest of the world and make love to the lovely woman in front of him. But this woman deserved to know what lay in store if they continued.

"Sakura," his voice was husky and low dripping with desire as he said her name. Even her name had an effect on him. He shook his head trying to dispel the cloudiness of want. "Even though there isn't any law against us people will still disapprove. I'm much older than you and given I was you sensei they may say I'm taking advantage of any power I may hold over you because of it."

"I don't care what anyone besides you thinks of us." Her eyes shone bright with conviction.

"Really? What about Tsunade, Naruto," he paused before saying the last name. "…Sasuke?"

Doubt darken her eyes but on for a second. It did worry her a little that the people she loved would object to her relationship with Kakashi. She hated to hurt Sasuke. Hadn't Ino said to follow her heart? At least she knew one friend approved of her choice. "I won't say it wouldn't saddened me but I can't reject what my heart wants. Kakashi, I…" a knot from in her stomach. Should she say what was in her heart? Was it too soon? He needed to know. "I love you."

Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. This was not what he expected her to say. He opened his mouth to response when the phone rang.

'I must be cursed with the worst timing in the universe,' she thought to herself. "What?" she hissed into the receiver. "Tsunade-sama? Oh ok I'll be right over." She hung up the phone. "It was the Hokage. She says its Sasuke. He won't let any of the other medics to take care of him so she wants me to go to the hospital."

Kakashi nodded. His expression was serious again.

"I promise to tell him once he has recovered."

"Don't worry Sakura." He was gone in another puff of smoke.

"Kami! I hate when he does that." Sakura complained.

It was a week for Sasuke to be released from the hospital. In a way it was a release for Sakura too since she had become his private caretaker. He threw a fit if anyone tried to do anything for him. Unfortunately, for Sakura the feeling of freedom was short lived. Tsunade assigned her as his stay at home nurse. She really wouldn't have minded if she could have escaped once in awhile. She never had a chance to see Kakashi. That was driving her crazy.

Another week passed of being trapped in the Uchiha estate. Naruto, Hinata, and Ino were regular visitors. Their other friends came around every so often. The only person Sakura wanted to see never came by.

Kakashi had given up on trying to sleep. Every time he tried in the last two weeks, he would just end up tossing and turning. He walked into the Leaf Bar; maybe a drink or a dozen would help. Jiraya was sitting at the bar with a large bottle of sake.

"Hey Jiraya." Kakashi sat one the stool next to the sannin.

"Hi. This is unexpected." Jiraya turned to face the copy nin. "I only thought you came here when someone dragged you."

"Well, tonight is a special case."

"Women problems, eh?" The toad sage poured him a good size cup of sake. "Welcome to the club. Tsunade accused me of flirting with one of the new kunoichi working in the Hokage building. How ridiculous is that?"

"Not very." He took a swig of the sake.

"What's your problem with the fairer sex?" he solicited ignoring Kakashi's comment.

Not sure if Jiraya was the right person to discuss romantic relationships with but he wouldn't judge so what the hell. "I'm in love with one of my ex-students."

Jiraya raised an eyebrow. "Please tell me it is Sakura."

"Of course it is Sakura. Who else?" Kakashi was irked.

"You never know. Just making sure." The older man put up his hands in surrender. "So what's the problem?"

"Let me just list them shall I?" He raised one finger. "I'm 14 years older than her." He raised another finger. "She was my student once." Another finger. "Sasuke."

"Ok first reason." Jiraya raised his finger imitating Kakashi. "She is over age and the difference in age means nothing when it comes to love. Second, keyword WAS your student. Now the third, did she tell you she is with Sasuke?"

"Actually no. Just the opposite." He took another swig of sake. "She said she loved me."

Jiraya spit out the sake he had just drank. "Man! What is the problem then? If I was you age and a beautiful woman like Sakura said that to me, I wouldn't be here. I would be…" he broke off. The look Kakashi was giving him definitely said he shouldn't finish that sentence. "Anyways, I know she is nursing him back to health but that is only because he won't let anyone else come near him. Tsunade has ordered her to be his personal medic."

"Speaking of the Hokage. You don't think she will have a problem with her protégé and me?"

"Please," he waved his hand dismissing the notion. "She'll be over the moon."

Kakashi's stepped out of the bar after having a few more drinks with Jiraya, his mood much lighter. He was still somewhat concerned over how people would react. Being assured the Hokage would not only not mind but be happy and knowing the reason why Sakura seemed attached to Sasuke bedside, he made feel at ease.

"Ok, no more of this." Naruto's booming voice come from the front door of the Uchiha mansion. He walked into the dining room while Sakura was serving lunch. Hinata by his side. "That looks good." He sidetracked once he caught of the tasty spread Sakura had made.

"What is to be no more, Idiot?" Sasuke rolled his eyes by his friend lack of concentration when food was around.

"Oh right," remembering the purpose of his visit. "No more of staying inside this house. We are going out. Actually Ino has planned a party and she isn't taking a no from anyone." Naruto leaned in closer as if Ino might pounce on him at anytime. "Trust me, dude, do what the girl wants. She is scary when she doesn't get her way." He shuddered.

"Did she invite Kakashi?" Sakura blurted out before she could remind herself whom she was in front of. Sasuke gave her a severe look.

"Yes, she did." Hinata spoke having helped with the list of invitees. It was really a pointless thing to do since all shinobi and half the town were invited.

"I'm sure he is going. I saw Ino corner him earlier. She seemed pretty intend on him going. He would be suicidal if he didn't. She also made perfectly clear to me that I had to make you come too Sakura, no matter what. So if you care at all about my safety, please be there." Naruto put his hands together begging her.

"I'll be there." She promised. Instance relief spread through Naruto.

"Me too." Sasuke said grabbing Sakura's hand. "I can't live without my nurse. So where she goes I go."

She laughed nervously. "What baby you are. You don't need me anymore. Your wounds are healed."

The bar was packed. Ino had gone all out. Ino was in her element. She was the perfect hostess. Wearing a flowing red cocktail dress, she looked like a butterfly fluttering from group to group.

Sakura walked in with Sasuke's arm draped around her shoulders. He said he felt dizzy and needed help walking. She wasn't paying his excuse. She had come to the conclusion that tonight she would tell him. He was fine now. He didn't need her to take care of him and he was strong enough to handle it.

She scanned the crowd for the silver haired jounin that was the main character in her dreams. She spotted him easily. He was off to a corner, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed across his chest, his one exposed eye looking directly at her. She smiled at him but he didn't return it. She figured he wasn't happy about her companion's closeness.

"I'll be right back." She tried to get out from under Sasuke's arm but he tighten his grip.

"Naruto is waving at us to join him." He pointed in the opposite direction she wanted to go.

'Mental note: Knock out Naruto ASAP.' She noted to herself.

She tried repeatedly for the following hours to get away from Sasuke but he was sticking to her (rather keeping her stuck to him) like white on rice. Finally able to make eye contact with Ino who was talking Anko and convey, 'Help me'

Both women took the hint. It didn't surprise Sakura. Anko had known the situation even before Sakura did. So it didn't take much for her to assume what they had been talking about either.

"Sasuke, you don't mind me bothering my friend here?" Ino took Sakura by the arm and pulled her away, battering her eyelashes. "Of course you don't." She added with giving him time to refuse.

Anko came up on his other side. "Uchiha!" She put her arm around him and turned him around with ease considering her petite size. "Good to see ya." She began discussing the use of shuriken vs. kunai with him.

Sakura admired their tag team strategy and flawless execution. "Thank You."

Ino was already navigating through the crowd towards Kakashi. "No problem. I had been dying to do that all night. I really thought that in a party swarming with people you would be able to get away. He really has been keeping under house arrest in that fortress of his."

"So all this," Sakura made a circle in the air with her hand symbolizing the party, "was all you idea of an escape plan?"

The dazzling blonde grinned triumphantly. "Not just an escape but a reunion." She pushed Sakura into Kakashi and dashed away giggling.

"Watch it there." Kakashi caught the pink haired kunoichi before she collided with him. The unmistakable scent of vanilla wafted in the air. He inhaled it hungrily. That intoxicating smell would be his undoing. He pulled her close.

"I've missed you." She muffled into his chest wrapping her arms around his middle.

"I thought you might have forgotten all about me. Spending 24 hours a day with Sasuke." Seeing Sasuke and her come in looking like a couple after she had spent a week alone with him in that mansion, his jealously had taken the better of him. He was usually so controlled. This feeling of raw emotions were so unbalancing.

"Don't. It wasn't like I wanted to be there."

"You did love him. What am I suppose to think?"

"That was in the past. I'm a different person." Why was that so hard for him and Sasuke to comprehend? She was 12 when she had loved Sasuke. She was 19 and in love with Kakashi.

Kakashi abruptly let go and moved back.

"Sakura there you are." It was Sasuke. She had to give credit to get away from Anko so quickly. "Hello, Kakashi."

"Hello, Sasuke."

The greetings seemed pleasant but where short and strained.

"May I have word with you in private?" Sasuke asked Sakura placing his arm around her once again.

"Yes. I also wanted to talked to you." She gave meaningful glance at Kakashi but his favorite Icha Icha book was out. 'Men!' she thought angrily.

Safely outside with no risk of someone taking Sakura away Sasuke let go of his tight hold on her and gently took her hand guiding her to the perfect spot for their conversation.

They reach the top of the Hokage mountain. The night was cool. The entire village spread out beneath them a blanket of twinkling lights, mirroring the stars above.

"It's so beautiful." Sakura looked out proud to call this her home.

"It pales in comparison to you."

"Please, Sasuke…" Sakura turned to face him. She gasped seeing him on one knee with a diamond ring in his hand.

"Marry me."

"Oh, Sasuke." She shook her head. How she wished he hadn't done this. "I'm sorry I can't marry you."

He snapped the ring box shut. "Let me guess. It's Kakashi."

She nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry. I love you but in the way I use to. We are friends. That's all we can be."

Anger flashed in the pit black eyes. "You really are just as stupid as ever. You are going to choose him over me?" He was snarling.

SMACK! Sakura's hand flew across his face leaving a red mark on his cheek. "I am because I love him. And as for you, you are as arrogant as ever. I will not allow you to speak to me that way again. I'm not that little girl begging for you attention. I take back what I just said. We can't even be friends." She too off jumping from roof to roof.

Sasuke had never been a nice guy but ever since he came back from Orochimaru, his temper flared and there was no telling what he would do. She was not about to put with that. If she never saw him again it would be fine with her. She kept going until she was in forest. She didn't cry this time; she was too angry.

She heard something rushing through the leaves a minute too late. It stuck her in the neck. Her hand went to the object. A senbon?

That's when she heard the footsteps and the all too familiar voice. "Sakura-chan."

A hooded figure stepped from the shadows. "Kabuto?"

"It is a pleasure to see you again. You look lovely." He stepped closer. She tried to move. Confusion flooded her face when she found she couldn't. "How do you like my paralyzing serum? Fast isn't it?"

Her vision blurred and a curtain of black fell. Kabuto smiled. "Goodnight Sakura." He picked her up throwing her over his shoulder. He strode back into the shadows and disappeared.

A/N: Yey! I got it finished. Sorry for the delay and any typos/mistakes. This chapter was exhausting to write but I loved every minute. Hope you enjoy it.

It will take awhile to write the next chapter. I'm going on vacation this weekend and then I have class. But I will update the moment I get a chance. Thanks everyone reading.