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Chapter 19: The Truth Revealed

Inner Sakura/ Thoughts

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Dawn was just beginning to break, as Sakura stirred in the bed. Slowly she lifted her head, and rubbed the back of her hand across her sleepy orbs. Carefully, she clutched her throbbing head, massaging her sore temples. That was the last time she would let Ino talk her into anything.

Images of last nights events slowly began to come back to her. She blushed, remembering all the places she and Kakashi had sex. The couch, the kitchen counter, in the shower, and finally the bed. Her body hurt in places she didn't know she had. She looked around the room as it was slowly basked in the soft morning light, she was still in Kakashi's apartment. Instinctively she stretched one arm across the bed, expecting to feel her lover. Instead she found only cold sheets. She wrapped the blanket around her naked body and sat up, moaning a little as her sore muscles stretched into the new position.

"Kakashi?" She called his name as her eyes searched the room.

She found him sitting in a chair in the corner, arms folded across his chest. She gathered the blanket in her arms and slid off the bed. Her bare feet made no noise as she crossed the room.

"What are you doing over there?" She stopped just a few feet away from him.

"I was waiting for you to wake up." His cold, withdrawn persona, was back in place. He lifted a small bundle of clothing from the night stand next to him. " I went to your apartment and picked up a few things."

He held them out to her, and she stepped forward to take them. "Thank-you."

"I figured you wouldn't have time to go home and change before your shift at the hospital, and the clothes you were wearing last night would certainly draw attention." He shifted uneasily in his chair. Sakura could tell there was more he wasn't saying.

"Kakashi. Is everything all right?" She reached out and touched his arm.

Kakashi let out a deep breath. " Last night was a mistake. It never should have happened. But I can promise you I won't be bothering you again."

Sakura chewed on her bottom lip. It drove Kakashi crazy when she did that. It took everything he had to restrain himself, so he wouldn't take her again, right now.

She spoke in her soft, sultry voice. "But, what if I want you to bother me." The blanket slipped an inch, and Kakashi's breathing hitched.

He took several calming breaths to clear his head. He couldn't allow himself to become distracted. When he finally spoke, his voice was pained. "I'm sorry Sakura, but we've already had this discussion."

"I know. I remember it clearly." She moved forward, closing the remaining space between them. Leaning forward she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And I can't believe how stupid I was."

"What are you talking about?" He pulled on her arms, trying to dislodge them from his neck, but Sakura held tight.

"I see now what you were trying to do. And I can't believe I bought your little charade, no matter how convincing it was." She positioned herself so that she was straddling his lap.

He put his hands around her waist, and pulled, but Sakura clamped her legs tightly around him. "I still don't follow you."

"Breaking my heart for my own good. A noble concept. But I'm on too you." She grinned at his clearly fake confusion, and continued. "I know that you, Hatake Kakashi, are in love with me."

Kakashi's sharp intake of breath, let Sakura know she was right. It took Kakashi a moment to regain his composure. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sakura placed her fingers over his soft lips, effectively silencing him.

"Don't try to deny it. I know I'm right." She brought her other hand up to his face and began running her fingers through his silver locks. "I was awake last night, when you thought I was sleeping. I heard you when you said that you loved me."

Kakashi didn't know what to say. He could try to lie again, but he was tired of that. He was tired of pretending that he didn't want to be with her. Sick of seeing her in the arms of another, knowing that he drove her there. He wanted her to be his, and no one else's. Besides, after last night he doubted if Sakura would believe another lie. So, he did the only thing he could. He kissed her.

It was short, but fierce, and hiding behind it were a thousand unspoken words. He pulled back and studied those deep jade eyes that he loved so much. Sakura's face held a triumphant expression.

When he spoke, his voice was no longer cold, but filled with the warmth and compassion that Sakura missed. "You really are too smart for your own good." Sakura laughed, and Kakashi's heart lit up at the sound.

He kissed her gently on the forehead. "But that still doesn't change anything. The law says we can't be together."

Sakura stuck out her lip in an adorably pouty face, and tapped her forefinger against her chin. After a moment, her eyes lit up, and a devious smile crossed her face. "Then its a good thing I know someone who can change laws."

Kakashi didn't even have to ask. He knew the particular blond she was thinking of. "Should I come with you?"

Sakura shook her head. "No. It would probably be safer for you if I talked to her alone. Tsunade has quite the temper."

Kakashi nodded, remembering all the times she had thrown an empty glass at him for showing up late. It would be best if he stayed behind. After all, she would never hurt her apprentice, but he doubted if that same leniency would extend to him.

Sakura tried to remove herself off Kakashi's lap, but he wrapped his arms firmly around her waist. "Where do you think your going?"

"I should probably go speak to her before she gets into the sake" She made another attempt to wriggle free, but failed.

"It's still early." Kakashi stood, lifting her in his arms, as he wrapped her legs around his waist. "She won't be up for another hour or two." He tugged on the blanket, casting it to the floor. "And I know the perfect way to pass the time."

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Almost three hours later, Sakura was walking down the street towards Hokage tower. She chuckled silently to herself.

That man has no sense of time. No wonder he's always late.

And if we're lucky, he'll make us late more often.

If he does that too often, I won't be able to walk.

I'm not complaining.

A deep blush colored her cheeks. Me Neither.

The thought of being with Kakashi made her heart beat quicker. She had to keep herself from running the last block. Soon everything would be ok, she was sure of it.

She turned the corner and came face to face with the last person she wanted to see. Leaning against the wall, arms folded over his chest, was Sasuke. She wasn't going to let him catch her off guard. She thrust her chin out and walked past him without a second glance.

But Sasuke wasn't going to be ignored. He followed behind her, taking her by the elbow. " Sakura, I need to talk to you."

"Well I don't want to talk to you" She yanked her arm from his grip, an quickened her pace.

Sasuke continued to follow. "I have a right to explain." She didn't slow down. "Sakura, listen to me." He grabbed her roughly by the shoulder.

She spun around, slapping his hand off of her. "Don't touch me Uchiha! I don't want to hear anything you have to say. You are no longer any of my concern."

"Ok, your right, I messed up. But I still want to marry you." For a split second, he sounded sincere, but Sakura wasn't buying it. "You know you still want to be with me."

"Find someone else to help restore your clan. I've moved on." She turned a stomped off towards her destination. This time Sasuke did not follow.

As he watched her walk away his anger was building. He would not be rejected. He would soon make her see the error of her ways. Then she would be sorry.

By the time she reached the tower, her anger had once again been replaced by giddy excitement. She climbed the stairs, and made her way down the hall towards Tsunade's office.

She took a deep breath and wrapped three hard knocks against the door.

"Come in." Good, Tsunade sounded sober, and in a good mood.

The honey eyed blond sat at her desk, several papers lay before her. Standing beside her with a stack of folders was Shizune. "Sakura, so good to see you. Please, sit down."

Now Sakura understood her chipper attitude. She would do anything to get out of doing paperwork. She walked across the room, and took a seat in front of her Sensei. Hopefully her good mood would work in Sakura's favor.

The blond smiled at her apprentice, then turned her gaze on her assistant. "Shizune, would you excuse us for a minute?"

Shizune cast her a doubtful look. "Ok, but don't take too long. You have a lot of work to do." She gathered up her files and and headed for the door. She looked over her shoulder, and called out one last warning. " And don't even think about hitting the sake, I already cleaned out your hiding places."

Tsunade mumbled under her breath, and as soon as she was gone, she began rummaging through her drawers. "Damn it. She completely cleaned me out. She even found my secrete reserve." She slammed her fist down on the desk, causing the wood to groan.

Having finished with her rant, she gave her attention to Sakura. "So, what brings you by my office today?"

Sakura took a deep breath. She was suddenly feeling very nervous. " Well...there is something very important that I needed to talk to you about. And I need you to be open minded."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Sakura didn't usually beat around the subject like this. She leaned forward in her chair. "I'm listening."

Sakura quickly rambled through the events of the past month, barely stopping to breath. Her heart was pounding wildly, but she left nothing out. Tsunade remained silent, keeping her word to be open minded. Sakura told her everything that happened, right up to the fight with Sasuke only moments ago. When she finished telling her story, she fell silent, waiting for Tsunade's response.

Tsunade just sat there, several emotions flickering across her face. She leaned back in her chair, and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, thats quite a situation you two have gotten yourselves into."

"Yes. And we were hoping you could help." She chewed nervously on her lower lip.

"Sakura. You know I would do anything for you. But this one is out of my hands." She unfolded her arms, and placed her hands on her desk. " If I made an exception for the two of you, people would say it was favoritism, and they would be right."

"But, even if I could change the law, I wouldn't. Because under most circumstances, it's a good law. It protects students from being forced into sexual situations, by their Sensei. And it also prevents upcoming Shinobi from trading sexual favors for unearned advancement."

Sakura sadly nodded her head. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. It broke Tsunade's heart to see her apprentice so upset.

"However." There was an edge of optimism in the Hokage's voice. "I don't really think your situation falls within the spirit of the law. Since your relationship started after he was no longer your Sensei. But it will ultimately be up to the Council of Elders."

Sakura instantly perked up, her eyes filled with hope. "Do you really think they will let us stay together?"

"Tsunade shrugged her shoulders. " I can't say for sure. But, I will try to persuade them in your favor. So, in the mean time I think you should enjoy each other's company while you can. Thats why I'll be re-assigning your hospital duties till everything is decided."

Sakura jumped up from her seat. "Thank you so much Sensei" She turned and headed eagerly towards the door.

"Oh and Sakura." Sakura turned to face Tsunade. "I don't think it will be necessary to keep this a secrete any longer. Once the council is informed the entire village will know." She cleared her throat. "Besides, I've been hearing some very interesting rumors about a pink haired medic, and a silver haired ninja, who made quite a scene on the dance floor last night."

Sakura's cheeks burned bright scarlet. She had almost forgotten there were witnesses to their little display. She groaned inwardly as she remembered Ino. That girl was sure to want an explanation as to why she ditched her in the middle of the club.

"Now get out of here. I'm going to go have a drink before Shizune comes back." Tsunade winked at her before slipping out of the window.

Her heart filled with the prospect of hope, Sakura set out to tell Kakashi the news. Whether it was good or bad, was too soon too tell.

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Throughout most of their struggles, I've had people wondering why they hadn't gone to Tsunade. That has always been in my original plans, but, if I did it when they first returned, my story would have been a lot shorter. Now its all up to the council. Don't forget to review =D