Author's Notes: Horray!!! we are going fast with these chapters; chapter twelve already, whew . Anyway, I just want to thank all you guys out there for reading my story and standing with me for so long. I have to point out that we should be about half way by now (there's still a while to go though). Hold onto your panties and kunai knives because here is chapter TWELVE!!!! XD Hope you like it as much as I do and after that, can you pretty please do me that small favour a review on the chapter, it would be much obliged, thanks :P. Now enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto, they belong to Masashi Kishimoto, but if I did own Naruto and their characters, I would tie them up on my bed and never let them go , so enjoy XD

CHAPTER TWELVE: DILEMMA

Now that Kakashi was in his day clothes, he packed the rest of his bag and shot out the door, looking back to make sure he didn't leave anything behind. Kuro leaps up onto his shoulder as he shut the door.

"Ready?" Kakashi wondered, putting his backpack on properly and patting Kuro on the head.

Sakura nods, getting up from the couch and was already in front of the door as if she was dying to leave this place. Kakashi looks around one last time to check that everything is as it should be and closed the door, locking it behind him.

Down three flights of stairs and into the small lobby, Kakashi hands the money to the old man behind the counter, looking a little precarious as if he was about to drop dead at any second.

After paying for the night they stayed, Kakashi and Sakura left the apartment building and was ready to head out. Sakura had Kitsune in her arms, who was crawling around to get comfortable and Kakashi had Kuro still sitting on his shoulder and decided to read Icha Icha Paradise, but there was a problem.

"Oh no," Kakashi muttered, shuffling his hand about in his kunai pouch.

Sakura looked back to watch Kakashi's lazy expression falter to utter shock and worry, "oh shit," he shrieked, stuffing his hands in every pocket on him to look for his orange book which he just couldn't find.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, trying to fathom anything that could possibly make Kakashi look the way he was currently.

Kakashi was ready to rip out his silver hair and scream, "I lost Icha Icha," he moaned, trying again with the searching, but alas he still couldn't find his book.

Sakura rolled her eyes before saying, "well how could you lose your book, you always have it with you," she put Kitsune on the ground and looked around, "I think it might still be on the couch of the apartment; that's where I last remember seeing it," Kakashi said frantically, right on the verge of slapping himself from his careless actions.

Kuro jumped down from Kakashi's shoulder and made his way to Kitsune's side, meowing softly to her as if they were having a regular conversation. Kitsune meows back with a foxy smile and starts purring briefly. She lifts her paw and rests it on Sakura's leg, trying to tell her something.

"Not now Kitsune, now is not the time to play games," Sakura protested, not having any clue in what was going on between the two foxes.

Kitsune and Kuro ran around playfully and dashed towards the tall tree near the apartment building, "what are they doing?" Kakashi wondered, watching the two young foxes climb up the tree and onto a familiar branch that Sakura was sitting on this morning.

That's when Kakashi knew what was happening, "I get it now; we left the window open in the apartment, and I think Kuro and Kitsune are going to try and get the book back," he stated, his hopes getting back in reach.

Kitsune stayed on the thick branch while Kuro leapt into the window to search for Kakashi's beloved novel. A minute or so later and Kuro appears on the windowsill with the orange book in his jaws.

"He got it," Sakura whooped.

Kakashi sighed, glad he had such a loyal fox with him. Kuro made his way onto the branch, slowly clawing his way towards Kitsune without falling or dropping the book. The black fox handed the orange book to Kitsune and climbed down part of the tree, making sure he wouldn't slide down any further.

"Reowr," Kuro yelped, giving the signal to Kitsune.

Kitsune mumbles a meow through the book she had in her mouth and drops it. Kakashi was sure to freak out at this point. With the right amount of brains, Kuro managed to catch the book in time. Now it was Kitsune's turn. She vigilantly climbed down the tree, past Kuro and another large gap between the two foxes.

Kuro meows again and drops the book, letting Kitsune catch it. Once that was done, Kuro climbs to the bottom of the tree and was on the ground now, giving another signal to the brown fox above him.

Kitsune drops the orange book and Kuro catches it, allowing Kitsune to make her way down to the ground and purrs happily. The two foxes stride their way back to their companionable masters, with Kuro holding Kakashi's orange book and Kitsune by his side.

Kakashi was completely bewildered and blown away that those two foxes could formulate a plan like that through their usual antics. Kakashi was also extremely proud of Kuro for doing something like that.

Kuro meowed joyfully and sat down with Kakashi's book still in his mouth. Kakashi kneeled in front of the black fox and allowed Kuro to give him his book back, "good boy Kuro," once retrieved his book, Kakashi patted the black fox gently, allowing him to climb up his arm and sit on his shoulder again.

Kitsune leapt into Sakura's arms with a meow and purred loudly, "man, I can't believe they actually did that just for you," she exclaimed, patting Kitsune gently like a cat.

Kakashi just smiled gratefully at the black fox on his shoulder and stroked him softly, "yeah, and I'm surprised Kuro and Kitsune didn't damage the cover either," he stated, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.

Sakura just rolled her eyes and began to walk off, grinning lightly. Right at these moments, Sakura would expect Naruto to jump into the conversation and say something meaningful and wise, but that was now just something that used to happen. Sakura wasn't use to it though; every time it happened like this, Sakura waited. She waited for the blonde who could fix big problems with his words. But now, she waited for no one.

Sakura was a Kunoichi for Kami's sake. A female medic of the Leaf with a slight temper problem. Not only that, but Sakura was nineteen years old, so she had to prove her worth as a mature ninja. It all sounded easy to begin with, but Sakura made everything she did so difficult. She cried like her twelve year old self and sometimes felt that she was still fifteen.

So in some days, Sakura truly didn't feel like the person she was now. Though in her current years at the hospital, Sakura was very successful with her job; helping those in need with their broken bones and internal injuries, Sakura just knew what to do under those circumstances.

Yes, today Sakura was really just having a bad start to the day, and basically like any other day, Sakura would want to cry about it. Sakura mentally shakes her head to keep her cool and focused on the mission.

What was today's mission anyway?

Kakashi waded casually behind Sakura until they were out of the village completely, where he then decided to be part of the actual two-man cell. Kakashi had Icha Icha Paradise in his hand, reading it through the last half of the book, but he couldn't help but notice that Sakura was awfully quiet this morning. Was it from when she was upset and yelled at him? Or was it when Kakashi kissed her, making her stay so calm and collected?

No solution came up and he decided to let the issue slide and resume his reading.

But, the worries didn't stop there. Sakura had another flashback of Naruto's death, coming back to haunt her for the nth time already. Sakura wanted to bury her head in the ground and wait for her heart to stop and die. Or she just wanted her head to stop bringing up the damn subject.

Another hour of walking and Kakashi halted in his steps, "we'll take a break here," he suggested, turning into the forest on his right and hiding behind the trees from the dirt road. Sakura was right behind him and they sat down under the tall trees and had something to eat and relax for a few minutes.

Kakashi could tell how stressed out Sakura was, just by looking at her; she wasn't so relaxed compared to her normal persona.

Before putting his food away, Kakashi became aware of how tired everyone was already. He sighed deeply, 'no one is talking today…what an odd start to the day,' he thought with slight scorn, pulling out his book for a read.

Sakura was almost falling asleep against the tree she was under, but often glanced at what Kakashi was doing. Right before dozing off, she heard a light moaning sound coming from somewhere. Sakura opens her eyes wide and demanded to know what that was.

She found Kuro on top of Kitsune, falling asleep on each other. Sakura watched the two fall asleep before Kuro gave Kitsune a friendly lick on the top of her head. All Sakura could hear was their purring.

Kakashi too saw what was happening between the two foxes and all he could say to that was, "aww, that's so sweet," normally Sakura would be the one to say that, but knowing Kakashi, he probably wanted Sakura to say something for a change.

"Yeah, they're so cute together," Sakura said with a sigh and smiled softly.

Kakashi instantly reacted inside, cringing almost physically at the thought of something like that happening between him and the medic. But why was Kakashi having these constant thoughts about him and Sakura; did he like her in some way? Was it something about Sakura that made Kakashi act this way all the time?

All these questions got Kakashi worried and thinking for a long time; it was starting to get annoying.

The purring of the two foxes was loud and quite soothing to hear. Sakura gazed at Kitsune's happy reaction to the black fox and lay there, hoping this moment would go on forever.

Kakashi looked up at the sky, "we'd better carry on; the next village isn't that far from here and it's also a sight to see," he recommended, finally getting up and putting his bag on.

Sakura does the same, whistling for Kitsune to come along, which she does in an instant and jumps up on the medic's shoulder, looking very happy.

"Lets go then," Sakura stated briefly, walking off ahead of Kakashi and onto the dirt road again. Kuro was right behind Kakashi the second he started walking and the journey continued.

The scenery began to change as well as the environment; Kakashi knew they were close now. The trees got taller until they stretched out so high that Sakura couldn't even see the tops or where they ended. The trees were huge and spaced out but the amount was so much that Sakura wasn't able to see the end of the forest.

Kakashi stopped in his tracks and grinned widely as Sakura continued to walk. The path was very wide and not much different from what they were walking on before. Sakura sensed Kakashi's presence diminish. She turns around, watching the expression on Kakashi's face turn mildly excited.

"Why are we stopping here?" Sakura enquired strangely, lifting an eyebrow.

"Well, the next village is closer than you think," Kakashi started, messing around with the medic.

Sakura was already getting impatient, "okay, enough with the crap Kakashi-sensei, where is it?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest.

Kakashi chuckled under his breath and looked up, "right above you," Sakura was a bit bemused, wondering of all things Kakashi was talking about, so she looks up. Nothing.

When Sakura returned her irritated glare at Kakashi, he was no longer there, "Sakura-chan, up here," Sakura glances up at Kakashi, who was standing upside-down on a sturdy branch.

"Follow me," Kakashi directed, turning around and walking straight up the tree, "the people here are limb-walkers, so hurry up,"

Kakashi stopped and looked down to Sakura, who was still a bit baffled by so many things at once. Finally following Kakashi's instructions, Sakura ran up the tree using her feet, which had a large amount of chakra sent there to keep her on the tree.

Once by Kakashi's side, the two made their way further up the tree with Kakashi leading the way (he being the only one to know how to get there). With the blue coloured chakra burning at the soles of the two Jounins' feet, Sakura and Kakashi finally stopped on a very thick and strong branch.

"Here we are," Kakashi announced nonchalantly, stuffing his hands in his pockets and staring at a giant wooden sign with a name carved into it.

Sakura couldn't believe she wasn't able to see this from the ground; the name of this village surely had its reasons and meanings.

"The Village Hidden In The Trees, always a nice place to go to on a hot day like this," Kakashi sighed, staring gleefully at all the houses built up against the trees and the people jumping from one tree to the next.

The higher areas of the forest was closer because of all the extending branches reaching out for the sunlight above. There were many people living in the trees and the it seemed almost the same as every other village around, only this one was up in the trees.

Kakashi leaps onto another branch and Sakura could barely keep up with the jumping and almost fell through a patch of camouflaged leaves. With her leg stuck in the hole, it was quite embarrassing to be seen stuck in the ground of a high situated village.

Kakashi turns around to see Sakura struggling to lift herself out of the inconvenient spot, "that's what happened to me when I first came here, only I fell right down," he said, chuckled lightly and glaring at the pink haired Kunoichi.

"Thanks, that made me feel so much more comfortable here," Sakura scoffed, folding her arms across her chest and pouting ridiculously.

Kakashi laughed lightly, watching Sakura nearly sink into the leaves, "here, let me help," he stated, quite seriously, but with a generous grin.

He walked around to the other side of Sakura and grabbed her under both of her arms, "ready?" Kakashi's impromptu question barely gave Sakura time to reply and Kakashi immediately lifted the medic from the leafy hole and Sakura was finally free.

With a sigh, Sakura brushes off the leaves and the dust from her clothes, "thanks," she said. Kakashi shrugged in his aloof manner and walked on ahead of Sakura.

"Lets just hope that won't happen again okay," Kakashi called back, but he was a bit too late for that.

Looking back after the sound of something crunching and crumbling, Kakashi finds Sakura had fallen through again, only this time, Sakura had her hands right on a branch where it was between her legs. Sakura was very uncomfortable at this point, as well as the embarrassing pain she was feeling made it all that much more enjoyable for Kakashi.

Laughing loudly, Kakashi made his way to Sakura's side, tilting his head to observe for a moment, "aren't you glad that you aren't a guy, or that would've been excruciatingly painful for you," Kakashi suggested blatantly, trying to maintain his laughter.

"Well it's not so convenient for women either," Sakura cringed, trying to lift her weight with her arms, which didn't help so much.

"A little help would be nice," Sakura strained, trying to cover up the pain as much as possible.

Kakashi sighed, finally considering to help the poor Kunoichi. Lifted the same way as before, Kakashi help Sakura to her feet where she could stand properly, "are you going to fall this time or do I have to carry you?" Kakashi sarcastically asked.

Sakura stood in thought, making sure she wouldn't lose balance and fall back, "okay then," she snapped back excitably.

Kakashi wanted to say something back to her about his joke but rolled his eyes instead, 'I didn't think she'd take the offer,' he thought, turning around to let Sakura climb up on his back.

Sakura was still wincing at the small but of pain in between her legs but brushed it off with a sigh and slung her arms around the silver haired Jounin's neck. Kakashi had to grab the back of the medic's thighs to hold her up; he felt slightly uncomfortable about it, but he offered Sakura to be carried so he had to pay the price.

Kakashi made sure Sakura's legs were securely wrapped around his waist so Sakura wouldn't slide off him while he walked.

Piggybacked along, Sakura was glad she wasn't walking, now that Kakashi was doing it for her. She grinned widely and rested her head on Kakashi's shoulder until he was somewhere where Sakura could finally stand without falling through something in every step she took.

Kuro and Kitsune were all over Kakashi and Sakura because of the lack of room there was to sit, nor to hang on to; Kitsune and Kuro both ended up on Sakura's shoulders, trying to hang on while Kakashi leapt to the next tree branch.

Kakashi finally stopped in front of a few stores, "okay Sakura-chan, you can get off now," he said, looking over his shoulder to find Sakura very relaxed and calm. She slides off gently, checking to see where she was placing her feet.

Once standing upright, Sakura looked around; there was wooden flooring everywhere now, most likely because of the shops and marketing going around, they don't want people falling through holes like Sakura and hurting themselves when they're after a souvenir.

The two Jounins walk around, watching all the village people run around, along with the children playing. Kuro and Kitsune didn't bother playing with each other, knowing that they'll most likely fall through a hole without a warning, so they stayed on their masters' shoulders.

Author's notes: Woohoo, end of chapter twelve already. I personally liked the part when Sakura fell the second time on the branches and had the tree branches in between her legs; it would most certainly be not so convenient for women if they landed like that. On other points of this story, I'd like to thank you guys (again) so much for reviewing on each chapter, it has given me a new light to my true potential and proves that I have gotten better throughout my writing phase. I'd like to note that I am currently up to chapter fifteen on this fic (over 46000 words and counting thus far). It is amazing to see how fast you guys are catching up with me. But enough of my bragging, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did...now reviews please