A/N:

I'm really sorry for taking forever to update this story, I've just been really busy since the last update, seeing as I've started college and have had to deal with getting adjusted and all that. To be blunt, I don't really like this chapter. It's definitely not my best and I wrote it probably a month ago pretty late at night out of the guilt of not updating this story. I've had a little more time to write lately so hopefully I'll be back to updating this story. Though most of the story was on the fly, I did manage to sneak some actual plot in there, which hopefully you'll be able to identify. I also kind of ended this at a weird spot but I really didn't want to keep writing on this idea and move the plot along. Anyway, I hope you at least kind of enjoy this chapter and are at least a little reassured of this story's longevity.

The next day, or rather late afternoon because he slept straight through the day, Kakashi was awoken by a shifting of the bed and a quiet knock on the hotel door. As much as he didn't want to crack his eye open and face the woman next to him, he decided pretending to be asleep would be pointless as it would get him nowhere. It wouldn't erase the situation nor would it make it any better.

To his surprise, Kakashi was met with the image of Sakura's back, covered by a solid black dress which clung to her mid-thigh. Her pink locks were tied back into a loose bun, with the exception of hairs which framed her face in messy curls. The kunoichi leaned over the bed, placing the slim straps of her black suede pumps through their rightful buckles. Her heavy-winged eyes briefly fluttered over Kakashi's confused ones when she stood to face the door, though her glossy lips spoke nothing to him. The smell of her perfume burned into Kakashi's nose and it clung to his mask, allowing him to taste it on his lips as he licked them. The taste made his eyes water as it stung his mouth. He figured he deserved as much.

"One minute! I'll be right there!" Sakura scooted around the bed and grabbed her purse. She knew her sweet tone sounded forced and honestly it was. Why was she doing this? She only had one reason and that was to recover from the humiliation Kakashi put her through last night. Sakura knew she at least deserved this. She also felt the wave of pride lap at her insides as Kakashi's eyes clung to her and his legs shifted uncomfortably to attempt to mask his intense gaze.

In the later hours of the night she sat awake next to her inebriated ex-sensei, a smile ghosted her swollen lips as her decision was made. What kind of woman had she become if she was going to give up? She no longer was the passive love struck twelve year old who accepted no's and regarded them as absolute. If Kakashi really believed their exchange was a mistake, Sakura would surely make him change his mind.

As her hand twisted the cold metal handle it was clear Kakashi was now out of bed and a few steps behind her, his intent most likely along the lines of showering her with questions she didn't want to answer. To her relief, Kakashi realized what was happening as soon as she cracked the door and angled her body between his view and the object on the other side. His fists clenched and his jaw set. Kakashi had to admit he felt silly when his chest instinctively puffed out and his shoulders squared off.

"Kankuro! Sorry I took so long…" her voice flowed into the hall like silk and her eyes slowly shifted in Kakashi's direction before she stepped forward to embrace the shocked Suna shinobi.

The door swung shut before Kakashi could read the pink lips that whispered into the brunette boy's ear.

00

The bar in Suna was crowded since it was attached to the hotel, so many of the tourists who stayed there flocked into the dim business to mingle with other tourists or possibly any locals who wandered in. Kankuro said he knew the bartender and they were immediately seated at the stained wooden counter, its top just as sticky as the barstools beneath it. The beer he bought her was tepid but she wasn't going to complain, considering she didn't pay for it.

Casual conversation led to dancing which ultimately lead to a personal exchange outside of the men's bathroom. As his hands ghosted up her thighs and his mouth burned a path down her pale neck, Sakura could only feel bored as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tried her best to fake a pleasurable moan. It sounded cliché but this was nothing like she experienced last night with Kakashi and she didn't expect it to be either. The ringing that had started in her ears only grew louder when Kankuro began to speak but she found if she focused hard enough it was possible to faintly make out the slurs coming from her companion's mouth. She was disappointed to find that the noises were nothing more than shallow compliments she assumed he'd been saying to girls since he was sixteen. Sadly Sakura was twenty and "I'm so hard for you" just didn't do it for her anymore. His jean covered knee had wedged itself between her thighs and was making a half-assed attempt at rubbing her core.

A gentle hand with a green glow pressed itself flat against Kankuro's damp forehead. Sakura had learned the technique to use against rowdy patients who would try their hardest to swat her glowing hands as they approached. Chakra was pushed through his system as she forced his body into a false slumber. Her watch told her he would be walking within the next three hours.

His body was found slumped against the bar at closing.

00

Of course she felt guilty for leaving Kankuro like that but as she walked home the guilt grinded itself flat into the sharp blade of annoyance, stabbing at her sides with every sway of her hips. What was the point, she couldn't remember. Something about showing that big idiot with the silver hair that she was worth a shot. Right. In retrospect her plan was successful considering the drool Kakashi had dampening his mask as she left, which was actually the reaction she was hoping for. On the opposite side of the coin, going out with Kankuro theoretically should have worked as a stress relief; however it just packed a little more on to her infinitesimally growing pile of things to worry about. She would write him a formal letter apologizing the next day if she ever felt like getting around to it. She kind of hoped she wouldn't.

The air that flowed in the Suna streets was stale and stung her nose as it made its way into her lungs. Maybe Kakashi would be gone by the time she made her way back into the room. She knew that was a lie as her heels clicked along the tile floors heading to elevator. She sensed his chakra and it sent a tingle down the back of her neck as she ascended but his chakra wasn't the only one that pricked her skin. The light above the elevator door flickered and ringing accompanied the entrance of a man, specifically a ninja. Though he was attempting to hide it with a thick brown coat and unsuspecting slacks, his chakra pleaded himself guilty. A shuffling sound pulled her head around and pushed her stance to brace for impact though of course there came none.

"Wha-"

"Excuse me ma'am, this is my floor. Can I just…get passed…y-"

"Oh yeah, Sorry…" her own feet backed her against the elevator wall to allow the man his exit but her body didn't lax. Something was off about that man, which of course made sense since in the ninja world a ninja in hiding was immediately suspicious for a few reasons. If he was a nin from Suna, why would he be disguised? It was also possible that the ninja in the cloak was not from Suna and in hiding; another reason for immediate suspicion.

The door finally opened on her floor and the pink haired kunoichi strode out and with every step forced herself to cram the images of the man from the elevator, Kankuro and this whole night to the farthest corners of her mind. She needed her shoes off and she needed a shower. This was something she was not willing to debate. To her surprise, she only fumbled with her keys slightly as they made their way into the lock on the room door. She was able to faintly see Kakashi hunched over his book in the small alcove, his eyes scanning her face only briefly before returning to the print he'd read a thousand times before. Does she ever not look stunning? He didn't think he would ever get a break while on this vacation. The gods hated him and he was a sinner. Maybe he should repent or something. He was really unsure since he didn't believe in God and he thought reasonably so. What God would let everything he cared about die? What God would push him to fall for his ex-student? Was he falling for her? Kakashi thought so. In such a short period of time? Maybe.

Insanity was always another explanation.

Kakashi casually waved at her and forced himself to look away from the swollen lips he did not cause. Her response was minimal as she walked directly to the small bathroom on the other end of the suite and quietly closed the door.

A/N: As always, feel free to review and what not, even though this chapter bites big time.