She was abruptly pulled out of her slumber with a harsh tug of her blanket. She looked up to meet livid blue eyes; her only retaliation was placing a pillow on her head.

'You're not here.' She spoke monotonously

The pillow was off her face in the same manner used to coax the blanket off her.

'Like hell I am' the voice gritted.

She only opened one lazy eye to acknowledge the person's presence and let out a heavy sigh.

'I've been playing nice with you for the past three days. Not asking you to reason your attitude. But you've crossed the line, you're going to school today whether you like it or not.' There was no blandishing in his voice. She stayed put on the bed as she lay on her stomach eagle spread, face hidden in the mattress.

'You're not sick so suck it up princess.' He grounded out. After a moment of silence and collecting himself he spoke again, 'unless there's something really bothering you, yeah?' He looked at her critically trying to cover his weariness.

She turned her head away from the mattress and looked at him dubiously. She stood up without a whisper, simply patting the nest of blond hair on his head, 'Being a parental figure isn't really working out for you Deidara.'

He moved to retaliate but she elbowed him in the ribs kindly as she walked passed; his gaze softened and he sighed, 'Hurry up and I'll be able to drop you off on the way to work.'

She raised her hand acknowledging his words as she closed the door to the bathroom.

'She's going to be the end of me' Deidara groaned as he walked out her bedroom.

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.

He pretended not to notice, but it was difficult not to. She hadn't made her appearance at all in school for the past three days, since the little 'excursion' at the city art gallery, and as he stood in front of the class taking attendance on the fourth he found her seat to be vacant again.

'Does anyone know Sakura Haruno here?' He spoke up to the class as he ran through the names on the attendance list.

A blond haired boy, his name was Naruto if his memory served him right, raised his hand, 'She's coming today, she said she's running a bit late.'

At that a few whispers passed, another blond, Ino, screeched and slapped Naruto on the shoulder, 'Of all people she'd tell you? I'm her best friend and she hasn't responded to any of my texts this week. What makes you so special?'

Naruto chuckled nervously, 'He-Hey easy now. That's something you need to sort out with Sakura, don't kill the messenger now.'

Ino eyed him with antipathy and walked back to her seat.

At that moment the door opened to present a disheveled looking Sakura.

'Well speak of the devil' Kakashi drawled humorlessly.

Sakura walked up to his desk and handed him a late pass. Kakashi took it and mockingly pulled it up to the light. Sakura rolled her eyes, 'Why would I go through the trouble of forging a late note?'

Kakashi looked at her sparingly, 'It's says here the reason for your absence was because you were 'sick'. You don't look sick to me. At least fake a cough or bring in a box of tissues as an alibi.'

Sakura clenched her fist, 'I don't have to explain myself to you.'

Kakashi sighed and placed the note in a drawer in his desk, 'I'm not asking you to. I'm just simply pointing out you're a terrible liar.'

Sakura gave him a fake smile, 'Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me.' Without waiting for his response she stalked away and retreated to the seat next to Naruto, which in turn earned him a glare from Ino.

Kakashi remained unfazed towards Sakura's cursory entrance and stood from his desk and turned to the board.

'Ok since we've done nothing productive whatsoever this week and I don't want to get fired, I figured we should do something.' He said diffidently while rubbing the back of his neck. He was still getting used teaching slash instructing students who were nearly adults, especially when he acknowledged the fact they weren't that much younger than him.

'What do you have in mind hot shot?' Kiba said in a derided manner

Kakashi grabbed at the chalk and wrote in big letters, 'COMMENTARY'

A few people in the class looked confused and so he moved away from the board to explain, 'This' slamming his palm down on the board, 'is your topic. You can manipulate it in any way; you can look at aspects of personal commentary, social commentary, and cultural commentary. Anything that you feel like that should be made aware of to the public. Any questions so far?'

'Yeah, what medium are you assigning?' a bored voice queried

Kakashi's eyes crinkled, 'Any medium you like. I want this project to be your project not something that you have to do. It makes it more tolerable and enjoyable. You're all going to have to learn to make your own decisions soon enough anyway. I want this done in two weeks. Now scat.'

At that moment there was a bustle of voices and a clatter of chairs and desks. Before Sakura could move to the supply cabinet she was pinned down by four sets of eyes, 'What'

'That's all you're gonna say 'what'. We should be the ones saying what.' Ino seethed.

'Oh excuse me. Let me try that again.' Sakura turned around again, the other individuals not amused and then Sakura turned around and feigned surprise, 'HEY guys!'

'Let's cut to the chase here, where were you the past three days.' Sasuke bit out

'Better yet what were you doing?' Naruto added

'You weren't sick' Shikamaru supplied

Ino just stood there with her foot tapping, 'Well?'

'I just didn't feel like coming to school' Sakura replied in a bored manner

'Uh huh' Ino obviously didn't buy her garb, 'Ok forehead I'm going to let this one slide, but if next time I call you or text you and you don't respond and make me think you're dead, then so help me I'll make that forehead of yours bigger than it already is.'

'I'll try to keep that in mind next time.' Sakura said

'There won't be a next time Haruno.' Shikamaru spoke imperiously, 'You've been acting anything but yourself lately.'

'We're worried about you.' Naruto finished

Sasuke only tipped his chin in agreement.

Sakura looked at them all and sighed, and looked at them earnestly, 'I'm just going through something. I promise I'm not going to stay like this, it's just…' Sakura's voice cracked slightly, the boys took this as their queue to leave and for Ino to work her magic.

'You gotta tell me these things forehead; you know how much it kills me to see you like this.' Ino spoke gently, placing her hand on Sakura's arm. 'I just want to see you smile again.' Ino beckoned Sakura a smile, whose eyes softened at her words.

Hinata had somehow known of the nature of the two girl's conversation and had made her way towards Sakura; 'I hope you're feeling better' she spoke quietly.

'Never better' Sakura lied through her teeth but the two girls didn't pick up on her tone and had been satisfied with her response. They took her by the arms towards a painting Ten Ten, babbling about their new teacher, 'He's a cutie if you ask me and he's older but not by much. Score! The only thing that's stopping anyone from jumping his bones is that stupid mask of his.' Ino babbled. Sakura turned around and looked at Kakashi briefly to see that he was indeed wearing a mask, 'he wasn't wearing one when we met.' She thought to herself. But then reminded herself how half of his face was covered by an oversized scarf. At the time she thought nothing of it, only that he was cold, but now. She hadn't truly looked at him when she had met with him on Monday or this morning, only noting the shock of his white hair and his pit less black eyes that rivaled the Uchihas', they caught her gaze in that moment. She looked away immediately to greet Ten Ten.

'You're a terrible liar Sakura.' Kakashi whispered to himself as he watched the whole scene unfold. He had eyed the confrontation over the brim of his novel. He gathered that this wasn't her usual self being implored due to the slight hostility of her friends. But he couldn't figure out what was the cause of her change in character, and how her friends seemed to be walking on egg shells when ever asking if everything was alright. It intrigued him.

He knew if he wanted information, he was going to ask her directly which would prove pointless. He wouldn't be able to ask her friends, he'd come off as nosy or suspicious his best bet was the staff, surely they'd know something about the girl.

His attention was pulled away by a scowling Uchiha drenched in paint and Kiba and Suigetsu high fiving each other, 'How old are you guys again?' Kakashi said exasperatedly

'Guess' Sasuke growled. The two others were laughing haughtily.

'Do you have anything to change into?' Kakashi responded taking out a hall pass from his drawer.

'Gym clothes'

Kakashi handed the man the pass, looking at the two others with mock anger, 'You two think this is funny huh?'

The two stopped laughing to look at Kakashi nervously.

Kakashi smirked under his mask, 'Next time use ink, it doesn't come out of clothes.'

It took a moment the two to register what Kakashi had said and both gave him thumbs up and sly smiles. Kakashi could only shake his head and turn back to his book, but his eyes strayed once again to the pink haired girl who now sat at a wheel spinning and molding clay with thin long fingers.

'You've been picking up a thing or two from Deidara. I thought he was too much of a pompous ass to teach anyone his 'art'.' Ten Ten queried looking over her easel. Ino and Hinata sat on a table looking through magazines and articles for inspiration.

Sakura smiled to herself and laughed genuinely, 'Because he's such a pompous ass he couldn't bare seeing me take the life out of the clay, so he decided to teach me some basics.'

The mood between the girls' seemed to lighten significantly, because soon after all that could be heard between them was laughter and snorts.

'Seriously though Deidara is way better than Hidan' Sakura laughed, 'Hidan thinks he's the next best thing after the creation of coloured television.'

'Ugh' Ino replied, 'Is he still a 'disciple' of Jashin?'

Sakura pulled her foot off the pedal and looked at the girl with no self control, 'On Sundays he's been standing outside of churches and handing out pamphlets to 'convert' and allow Jashin to save their souls.'

The girls got lost in a fit of laughter.

Naruto smiled as he looked at the group of girls, Shikamaru could only roll his eyes, 'women are so troublesome'

'I think their worth the trouble though in the end' Naruto spoke quietly

'Ever the sweet talker Naruto' Kiba laughed slapping a hand on his shoulder.

'I thought you were gay' Sai spoke nonchalantly

Kiba and Suigetsu moved effectively to hold Naruto back from giving Sai 'a piece of his mind'

'Technically speaking you can't give me a piece of your mind if you don't have one to begin with.' Sai replied.

'Why you little-'

'I'm just being reasonable' Sai replied innocently

Naruto kicked a can of spray paint at Sai's head, 'Ow' he said monotonously

Naruto satisfied with that much had calmed down and beckoned Kiba and Suigetsu to let go.

'Yo 'kashi' He yelled

Kakashi looked up from his book with a bored expression

'You got any more of those mask thingys' Naruto pointed to his mouth and nose, 'I need it for the spray paint'

No sooner had he finished had he felt a piece of fabric flicked at his head.

'Thanks'

'Got more if you need any' Kakashi spoke as he looked up from his book briefly.

Naruto just gave him a 'thumbs up' and walked out to the adjoining outdoor courtyard with a crate of spray paint, the mask, and a wooden board.

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.

.

'Haruno is a real tough cookie if you ask me' Asuma grumbled

'She's been through a lot' Kurenai supplied

Kakashi simply nodded as he sat outside on a patch of grass with two of his colleagues. Their eyes trained towards the track field with an instructor clad in a green jump suit spurring students on to run. Despite the cold, Konoha high still did physical education outside.

Asuma let out a long drag of smoke, handing over the cigarette to Kurenai who put it out for him.

'Her parents committed suicide two years ago.' Asuma spoke eyes looking straight ahead. 'She beat herself up for not being able to know why they committed the act. She's an only child and doesn't have many relatives; her father was an only child and her mother had one brother. Her cousin Sasori had become her guardian after the incident and she lived with him.' Asuma let out a sigh looking towards Kurenai.

'Sasori died last year due to a fatal car accident. She was out of school for two months. If it wasn't for her good grades and credibility with the teachers, she would have been held back a year.' Kurenai spoke wistfully.

Kakashi was taken aback by the girl's losses almost remembering his own similar past all too well. 'Who's she living with now?'

It took a moment and then Kurenai spoke, 'At the time she was living with her cousin, she was also living with two of Sasori's close friends. One of them offered to take guardianship of Sakura, she didn't refuse his offer. She's still living at the same place with the other two now.'

After a moment Asuma spoke once more, 'Don't get us wrong or anything, but that girl she's been through a lot in a short time. I feel like lately it's finally been catching up to her. She's a good kid but everybody changes once they lose something important to them. She told me that Sasori was like a brother to her.'

'She refuses to see the counselor as well.' Kurenai supplied

It was quiet from then on as they all watched students run around the track. Kakashi's mind left thrumming and chewing on this new piece of information that shed light on Sakura's dreary past.

'Haruno show your class some of the youth you show during track practice.' Gai beemed

'I think I'm going to need hearing aids after this class' Kiba grumbled

'What I can't hear you' Suigetsu strained his neck comically leaving Kiba in a bout of laughter.

'Stop pissing around guys we have to finish these 100 laps before the end of the period' Naruto grumbled, 'I'm not going to stay after school on a Friday finishing up these laps'

'Hey it ain't so bad, the view is pretty good from here.' Suigetsu elbowed Naruto

Up ahead a pack of girls running in teeny tiny shorts were jogging and whining about the cold.

'Oi Karin your underwear is longer than your shorts' Suigetsu hollered

Karin sized him up with a glare.

'Damn son she's the stank face queen' Kiba whistled

'Don't remind me' Suigetsu cringed

'Dammit should've faked a doctor's note like Nara to get out of this class.' Naruto groaned

'They don't call him the lazy genius for nothing.' Kiba chided

'Got himself a babe too.' Suigetsu groaned

'What do we have that he doesn't' Kiba queried

'Slow ass legs' Ten Ten spoke from behind slapping both on the back.

She threw a triumphant smile over their shoulders, 'She's got that right' Naruto laughed as he sprinted ahead of them to catch up with Ten Ten.

Kiba and Suigetsu threw their heads back in exasperation, 'I thought we wouldn't be doing anything physical in Phys Ed. Wish we got that babe Konan for a teacher, heard she teaches origami during class, 'to strengthen your finger muscles'.

They saw Sakura stop up ahead of them near the starting blocks, 'Already burnt out Haruno?'

Sakura spared them a glance, 'While you too old ladies were complaining I finished my laps.' She smirked.

'I expect nothing less of my favorite student. Don't tell Lee I said that' Gai beamed, 'You can go get changed and wait inside till the bell rings for the end of the day.

Sakura nodded and received scowls from Kiba and Suigetsu she could only laugh to herself.

He watched her cross the oval towards the gymnasium entrance. He dusted his pants off and looked down at Kurenai and Asuma, 'Have a good weekend'. He missed the blush passed between them as he walked off towards his classroom.

When he entered the classroom and flicked the lights on. The classroom was bombarded with various projects strewn haphazardly around the perimeter of the classroom. His eyes looked towards the wheel that Sakura sat in. It had a damp cloth lying on the plate that held the clay. Ever so gently he removed the cloth to reveal an urn shaped object. There wasn't anything unique about the shape but the thought of her fingers molding the clean and neat shape allowed him to appreciate the little creation. He quickly laid the cloth back on the urn and turned to grab his belongings from his desk. With one last glance in the classroom he turned to shut off the lights and lock the door of the classroom.

As he made his way down the corridor the bell rang signaling the end of the day. The corridor then became engulfed with zealous students reveling in the leisure of the weekend. He made his way towards the parking lot a few of his students crowded around one car. His curiosity got the better of him, 'What are you guys up to?'

Naruto looked towards Kakashi, 'One of my tires has got a puncture' He moved to show him the tire but instead, revealing Sakura peering critically at the tire.

Sakura turned around and looked at Kakashi for a moment, 'Do you have a jack and a lug wrench on you? None of these morons here have anything' she spoke casually

'I actually do, I'll just grab them from the car.' Kakashi replied

Sakura nodded and turned back to Naruto, 'Get the spare tire out'

'Yes ma'am' he saluted

'Who taught you to change a tire Haruno' Suigetsu asked

'There's nothing to be taught about changing a tire. Watch and learn.'

Kakashi came back from his car wrench and jack in hand. Sakura took them in her hands, 'Sure you don't need help' Naruto quipped

'Are you trying to insult me after I offered to help?' Sakura replied annoyed

With much efficiency she moved the jack under Naruto's car near the flat tire, lifting the car and tire off the ground.

'Wrench please' she held her hand out

Suigetsu handed her the wrench obligingly, Kakashi could only smile at the scene before him.

She twisted all the lugs nuts off and lifted the tire off the frame, 'Now get me the spare please'

Naruto rolled the tire towards her; despite its heavy weight she lifted it seamlessly and placed it on the frame. She screwed the lug nuts back on and then moved to release the jack from under the car.

She smacked her hand on the hood and turned around, 'Good as new' She beamed

'You never fail to impress me Sakura' Naruto smiled warmly

'Yeah if I need a tire fixed I'll give you a call.' Suigetsu winked.

'I'll just slash all your tires and leave you.' Sakura mocked. Naruto laughed as he placed the flat tire in the trunk of the car. Suigetsu walked to the passenger seat, 'Eh whatever have a good weekend.'

Sakura gave them a nod and Naruto moved to give her a bear hug, 'Don't pull a Sasuke on us this weekend ok?' She snorted and patted him on the shoulder being reminded of how their friend ran off for two weeks without a word to no one and then just came back to school like nothing happened.

Naruto started his car and beeped his horn as he rolled out of the parking lot. Sakura moved to hand Kakashi his jack and lug wrench, 'thanks'

'Not bad' He said acknowledging her display of independence

She gave him a slight smirk, 'Stick with me and you'll learn a thing or two' she face palmed herself for even speaking to him.

Her hands were stained with grease, which in turn earned her a grease palm print on her forehead which she hadn't noticed. Kakashi laughed, 'I'm sure you can.'

'Oi pipsqueak get in the car I'm wasting precious gas here.' A voice hollered

Sakura rolled her eyes and broke eye contact with Kakashi to look at the individual in the car, Hidan, he looked irritated as ever. 'Serves him right for totaling my car' she grumbled to herself. This didn't go unnoticed by Kakashi who laughed; she sighed and moved to pick up her bag.

'Couldn't change the tires on your car?' He humoured

She eyed him lightly and sighed heavily, 'There wasn't even any tires left on the car to change.'

'That bad' he whistled

'Mhm'

A horn was beeped, 'Oi!'

'Anyway thanks again'

'No worries, if you ever need a wrench or a jack I'm your guy.'

'I'll try and remember that. See ya around old man'

He simply nodded and they walked they separate waves. He realized how differently they seemed to act with one another when they were alone. She was almost a different person.

He laughed as he saw the spectacle Sakura made of the man who was beeping the horn. He walked out of the driver's seat in defeat and migrated to the passenger seat in shame. She sat in the driver's seat and drove the car away.

Kakashi then walked to his own car and popped the trunk placing the wrench and jack before closing it. He noticed his hands slightly stained with the same grease that marked Sakura's forehead which only made him shake with silent laughter; he wondered how long it would take her to notice the print.

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'Hidan why didn't you tell me about my forehead' Sakura was mortified as she walked into the apartment. Hidan had suddenly decided that he needed to grab something from the supermarket. He came out empty handed; Sakura came out red faced with embarrassment.

'Payback's a bitch'

'You owe me a car'

'Yeah well you owe me the manly pride I lost during the walk of shame to the passenger seat. I think that is justifiably much worse.'

'Deidara!' Sakura cajoled

'Leave me out of this one princess' Deidara spoke, 'and please go wash your face before you embarrass yourself even more.'

Hidan smirked at her; she gave him a wicked glare.

Hidan 1 Sakura 0

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Thank you for all the love from the last chapter you guys super duper awesome

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There will be progress and plot development in the next one

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