Chapter 3: The Team

Kakashi woke up with a start, breathing hard as he threw the suffocating covers off. The springs on the couch creaked as he sat up. His shirt was drenched with sweat; the scarf smelled musty. At least it still had some of Sakura's flowery fragrance. He breathed it in deeply, trying to relax. He had to take his mind off the dream. It was just a dream. He reassured himself. Nothing more.

But the laughter, the eyes, it had all felt so real.

He shuddered and then closed his eyes. That terror that gripped him in his dream had not left him yet. He took in another shaky breath, gave up, and got off the sofa. He padded softly to Sakura's kitchen. Moonlight streamed through her window as he made his way to the cabinet, where he found a cup and poured himself a glass of water. His hands shook as he took a sip. Frustrated, he set the cup back down on the table with a bit more force than he had intended. Kakashi groaned. What was wrong with him? Hadn't he dealt with so many missions before? Had he really gone soft over the years?

It's not every day you face betrayal. A voice in the back of his head remarked snidely. Kakashi glared at his reflection in the cup. Never before had such a dream haunted him like that. It reminded him of his loneliness, fear, and regret. The mission seemed to bring back all those repressed memories of his past. His father's face, Rin's face, and Obito's face had showed up in his dreams. And then there was that last one…Uchiha Sasuke.

Tsunade did not want him to take that mission. But he had insisted, saying that he was the only one capable. Which is true. He thought. Pride. That is what had caused him to beg Tsunade to let him have that mission. I never, ever let my teammates die. Those who leave them behind are nothing better than trash. Ironically, he had done just that. Another failed mission. Another failed team member.

He sighed and slowly made his way back to the sofa.

Kakashi gave a start as he saw a petite figure perched on the sofa, arms crossed defensively. He winced, hoping that he was not the one who woke her up. She hated being woken up. Especially after a long day at the hospital. He braced himself for a verbal beating.

"Sorry…" He managed apologetically and backed up for good measure. Sakura's face contorted in puzzlement. She laughed dryly at his behavior.

"Bad dream?" She asked instead. Kakashi glanced wearily at the girl. She was wearing a long pink nightshirt. It was slightly faded, and he could barely make out the small black shorts that peeped through.

"Nothing that and old veteran like me can't handle." He grinned. He walked to the sofa, sitting down next to her, trying to ignore her cool green gaze. He shifted momentarily, waiting for her to move so he could get back to sleep. Sakura ignored him; instead, she stood up and tucked him in before sitting down near him again.

"You sure about that? I'm sure even Ibiki has nightmares." Sakura whispered softly. She placed her hands on his hair and smoothed it gently. Kakashi glanced down at Sakura's face. Her pretty visage was marred with concern. Those soft petal pink lips were twisted with worry, and her eyes—that were usually light with laughter—were dark with unease. She was so close…

"If even Ibiki has had nightmares…" Kakashi began humorlessly. "I don't know what we would have."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sakura prodded. Kakashi shook his head. Her hand stopped abruptly. Kakashi winced. Was this the part where she berates the bad puppy? By not petting him anymore? He thought furtively.

"Was it because of the mission?" She asked. He looked at her suspiciously. Since when had she become so good at reading human emotions? The Sakura he knew had the emotional sense of a gnat.

"I didn't know you cared so much about your old Sensei." Kakashi retorted.

"Of course, why wouldn't I. I learned from the best." She shot back, unfazed.

"I knew I taught you guys well," he grinned, ruffling her hair affectionately; something he knew she hated.

"On the contrary," Sakura brushed his hand away, annoyed. "Really, Kakashi-Sensei. What's on your mind?" She asked again. He blinked at her use of sensei, something that she had dropped since she became jonin. Really, they were equals now.

Truthfully? Kakashi thought. I'm thinking about how close you are to me, and how warm you are. No. That's a bit creepy. Kakashi cut his bad train of thought off.

"I'm thinking about how good it would be if you went back to bed so that you don't shout at your underlings in the morning." He smirked. Sakura's temper was ever so legendary, even now. She glared at him, pushing him back.

"Fine then, cranky old man." Sakura huffed. She pouted and started to get up. Kakashi slumped a bit, disappointed. He thought she would have given more of a fight. "Goodnight, Kakashi." She paused, chewing her lip as her brow furrowed in deep thought. "Don't have any more bad dreams, okay?" She smiled sadly as she bent down to tuck him in more and pressed her lips softly on his forehead. He could feel her hot breath as her lips hovered above him. As she walked back towards her room, he let go of the breath he was holding.

By morning, Kakashi was gone. The blanket was folded neatly in a square on the sofa, and there was no trace of the man. Sakura pursed her lips, irritated. Men. They were all the same.

On the kitchen table, there was a small sticky note, taped hastily. Sakura smiled slightly as she picked it up from the table.

Thanks for the room and board. Didn't want to impose on your hospitality any longer, felt fine. See you around. –Kakashi

Sakura scowled, crumpled the sheet in a ball, and threw it at the portrait of Team Seven hanging on her wall. Kakashi always discharged himself whenever he felt he was fine. Oftentimes, he was not but that never stopped him.

She glanced at the clock and poured herself a cup of coffee. Almost time to go. Sipping her drink, she examined her schedule for the day. Three surgeries, two checkups. Not bad. Hopefully she could convince Moegi to do the paperwork instead.

She cleaned up and quickly tied up her hair in a braid before grabbing her bag and heading out. She opened the door and stopped short once she saw Naruto's familiar figure.

"Sakura, did you hear? Kakashi's back!" Naruto's fist was poised to knock on the door when Sakura was just about to leave the house. She chuckled at his enthusiasm.

"Yes, Naruto." She grinned at the energetic blonde.

"Then we should all head to Ichiraku's for dinner!" He suggested. Sakura rolled her eyes as she shifted her bag.

"Maybe."

Naruto slumped. Here would be the start of an age-old argument that was never resolved.

"It's nutritional, tasty, and cheap!" He began. Sakura whipped back and poked him hard in the gut.

"Oh really? Is that why I feel some extra rings of fat hanging around these days? Because you've been too busy trying Ichiraku's secret menu rather than training?" She teased, pinching his waist. Naruto scowled and pushed her hand away good-naturedly.

"Not at all. Hinata seems to think it tastes good too…" He closed his eyes in approval. The pinkette snorted. Hinata would agree to anything Naruto thought was good. Really, that girl liked him too much. But then again, Naruto has his persuasive ways when it came to getting people to go to Ichiraku's. Sakura could not remember the last time she actually turned down his offer properly.

"Anyways, I'm headed off to the hospital. See you around," Sakura took her leave.

"Five o'clock, be there!" Naruto pleaded, giving her a puppy-dog pout.

"If you can convince Kakashi and Sai, then count me in." She laughed. Sai would agree to Naruto, thinking that it was all part of typical "team bonding," but Kakashi was the tricky part. He rarely joined them for dinner, let alone hang out with the group.

"Deal," Naruto shook her hand, unfazed. He headed off in the other direction, waving happily as Sakura stepped in the double white hospital doors.

Nurses were bustling about as usual. Recently there had been a flu outbreak, and the hospital had been filled with complaining snot-nosed children and tired parents. She passed by Tenten, who was on her way to visit Neji. Some complications had arisen in the Recovery room, and the hospital staff had agreed to keep him for another three days. The girl blushed when she saw her, and Sakura could make out a vase of flowers the weapons master tried to hide behind her back. Sakura smiled invitingly as she opened the door for her.

"Don't worry, I don't gossip half as much as Ino does," Sakura laughed.

"I guess not," Tenten chuckled as she turned a deeper shade of pink. "I'll just…leave these by the window then." She quickly set the flowers down and moved to leave…just when Ino walked in the door.

"Speak of the devil," Sakura muttered. Ino ignored her pointedly, launching herself onto Tenten instead.

"Oh hi Tenten! I didn't know you would stop by too!" Ino gushed as she manipulated the other girl to Neji's bedside. "When you bought flowers from me this morning you never mentioned who you were going to give them to."

Sakura covered her laugh as she left quickly before the pig turned on her next. For now, at least, she had some gossip for the morning. At her office, she found Moegi already starting on the huge stack of papers on her desk.

"Good morning Moegi-chan," Sakura breezed by as she hung her bag and coat up.

"M-m-morning." Moegi lowered her eyes shyly. Sakura was so intimidating sometimes. Her moods were ever-so unpredictable. Tsunade walked in, hands on her hips.

"Sakura, can you take over for me for the rest of the day. I have some matters to take care of in the Hokage tower."

"Hai, Sensei." Sakura agreed. Tsunade smiled. Sakura never shirked on hospital duty. Not while there were lives at stake. "Oh yeah I forgot to mention yesterday," Sakura began. Tsunade turned, focusing her attention back on the girl. "Kakashi's back."

Tsunade smiled slowly. "I'm assuming you want me to give him the lecture of his life?" Sakura nodded.

"Woke me up at four. Don't let him get away with that. He bled all over too." She grinned conspiratorially at the Godaime. "And, I'm sure he didn't write the report yet."

The busty blonde laughed out loud. "Had an argument with your old sensei?" She laughed as she left the room, heels clicking.

Moegi stared in shock at Sakura.

"Sakura-sama, remind me to never piss you off." The brunette mumbled. Sakura glanced up in surprise. Was Moegi that intimidated by her?

"Oh Moegi, don't worry, I would never do that to you!" She patted the girl on the shoulder affectionately. She winced as she remembered that Moegi had probably heard of her legendary temper from the other nurses. "Don't you be afraid of me, you hear? I thought you were such the hothead when you were little, berating Konohamaru for the Sexy no jutsu!"

"Well, he deserved it," Moegi defended herself irritably. Sakura grinned.

"And so did Kakashi."

"So you were unsuccessful." Tsunade murmured. She sighed, placing her hands on her temples, massaging them.

Kakashi nodded. At least she was not throwing things at him.

"At least you escaped relatively in one piece." The Hokage muttered. "But tell me this before you start up the report: was he alone?"

"Very much so. Although he's changed. His eyes…"

"Madara." Tsunade spat his name out like a curse. "You know, you didn't have to take on this mission." She glared at him. Kakashi shifted uncomfortably.

"Let's just say I thought I could cut off all previous emotional ties." He said. "I guess I was wrong."

"You see too much of yourself in him," She poured herself a cup of sake. "You may go."

Kakashi nodded and stood up. He left the Tower quickly before making his signature hand signals for teleportation. Just as he was about to finish the last sign, he heard a familiar voice shout his name.

"Kakashi-sensei!" The Jinchuriki waved. "Come with us to Ichiraku's for dinner?"

The copy nin heaved a sigh. Really now? He had better things to do than to socialize with those half his age. Like, writing that report.

"Please, sensei? We haven't met up since three months ago." Naruto pleaded. "After you left for the mission…"

"Fine. Just this once, maybe." Kakashi rolled his uncovered eye and disappeared in a poof before he would be forced to stick around for heart-to-heart conversation. Naruto just had that effect on people. Or, he was too oblivious to get the hint that a person just did not want to talk right now.

Success! Naruto fist-pumped the air as he followed suit and disappeared as well. He couldn't wait to tell Sakura and drag her along too. Sai had already agreed, anyway.

Sakura smiled wryly as she walked down the streets to Ichiraku's Ramen. So Naruto had been successful after all. She did not mind, really. After all, one night's excessive salt intake should not matter that much to a ninja's health.

"Sakura-chan, there you are. We were all waiting for you!" Naruto had gone on to even order a bowl for her already. Kakashi was seated off to the side, slumped over with his Icha Icha. Sai gave her a nod as she passed and sat down between him and Kakashi. She noted that he had his mask back in place. Odd. Does that mean he still had her scarf?

Naruto was slurping his ramen excitedly. Cheeks bulging, he managed to speak, "Kakashi, why aren't you eating?" Another old team tradition.

Kakashi merely raised an eyebrow and kept reading. Sakura poked him in the side before picking up her own chopsticks. She ate slowly, trying not to think of the preservatives, salt, and MSG in the soup.

"Don't be a spoil sport. It's understandable why you wouldn't show your face to your students, but we're your equals now." She narrowed her mischievous green eyes jokingly.

"Hardly. You will only be considered my equal when you've read all the Icha Icha books." He crinkled his eye cheerfully. Scowling, Sakura gave him another sharp jab in the ribs. "Hey hey hey, I'm supposed to be healing here, Doctor Haruno." He protested.

"No one wants to read your porn." Sakura sniffed, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

"It's a best-seller though." Kakashi protested. "Besides, it's not porn, it's a romantic novel. It's not just about the sex, but the character development!"

"There is no character development in a heroine who falls in love with her captor and has hot sex with him in chains." Sakura rolled her eyes. The silver-haired ninja stared at her in shock.

"And you said you didn't read them." He stammered. Was that a blush forming on his cheeks? Sakura thought.

"I don't. I was just speculating." Sakura smiled sweetly as she took in another mouthful.

"Your noodles will get cold if you don't eat them now," Naruto said around his own huge mouthful. He picked up the bowl and began drinking.

"Perhaps you two should abandon your juvenile teasing and eat your own food," Sai muttered. Sakura mock-glared at him before giving him a sharp poke as well. Sai coughed before downing a glass of water, glaring at Sakura.

"Ah yes, but you kids are just far too interested in my handsome face." Kakashi teased, turning a page in his Icha Icha Paradise. Sakura looked pointedly at his book.

"At least put the porn away while we're at the dinner table," She suggested sweetly. Her hands moved to grab it, but he quickly stowed it away. Kakashi propped his head up with his hands and leaned against the table lazily, waiting for Sakura and Naruto to stop glancing at him.

"Center of attention during every meal," Sai sighed. "Doesn't it get old?"

"Never." Sakura laughed as Naruto placed his finished bowl proudly on the table, chopsticks neatly on top.

"Done!" The blonde declared happily.

"Oh, I forgot to mention to you guys, we have a mission," Kakashi began.

"YESSSSSSS!" Naruto threw his hands in the air. "I've been so bored lately, languishing about with nothing to do!"

"Says you," muttered Sakura as she dutifully continued with her bowl of ramen. "There's always stuff to do at the hospital,"

"It's an escort mission." Kakashi ignored the side-conversations.

"Shouldn't be too hard then," Naruto said. "Remember the last time we had to escort that cranky old man. He wouldn't stop complaining about how he hated ramen."

"No, I don't." Sakura rolled her eyes. Anyone who hates ramen would definitely be in Naruto's black book.

"You do, Sakura." Sai put in. "He said how your hair was blasphemous pink and told you to stop dyeing it unnatural colors, remember?"

"Oh, and that you weren't going to get any guys with that horrendously masculine attitude of yours?" Naruto added. "Because girls shouldn't spend their time running around in short skirts and that they should stay home in the kitchen where they belonged?"

Sakura glared at Sai, sparks flying out of her eyes. He smirked as he blocked a would-be head bop. Frustrated, Sakura poked Naruto in the side with her chopstick, but it was no use. All the boys cracked up. Even Kakashi tried to hide his own chuckle. "For your information, it's 100% natural. That guy couldn't tell between what's real or fake. And, he had no manners to speak of." She humphed and turned back to finish eating. When she glanced at Kakashi's bowl she scowled again and gave him a shove for good measure. It was empty already.

"Not my fault you weren't paying attention, Sakura-chan," He smiled affectionately. "Well, I'm done here. 7 am tomorrow sharp!" He disappeared with a poof.

"I don't get it." Sakura muttered. "He chooses the time, and shows up late himself. So much for team leader."

"Old habits die hard, I guess." Naruto said.

Sakura knew Kakashi had a penchant for visiting the memorial. But it was not as if Kakashi tried to be on time either.

"Oh well, I guess we're meeting up at 8:00 then?" Naruto suggested slyly.

"No way. We don't want to be late, dobe." Sai cuffed him on the head. "We done here?" he looked at Sakura's semi-finished bowl.

"Yeah. Let's go," Sakura got up and waited for the boys. The threesome walked down the street before reaching the fork. Sai turned left towards his apartment. Naruto continued with Sakura for awhile before he too took his leave. He waved cheerfully as Sakura continued down the road.

The winter cold air reddened her cheeks as she trod back to her apartment. Sakura unlocked her door and stepped in, breathing in deeply. She could not wait to get out and tackle some real fighting again. Although when he joined ANBU, she saw Kakashi a lot less frequently, but those three months without his familiar presence around the neighborhood had been slightly disappointing. Not only did she miss the team missions but also the light banter they held occasionally. Like Naruto, she itched for action. But at least, for now, as far as she was concerned, her all boys were back. Together. A team mission was exactly what they needed.

A/N: Wow, it's been ages since I've updated. Too busy with school stuff and all. I probably got side-tracked here and there in the story, but I hope it's still coherent enough. Enjoy!

~Kyokoyuki