Note from Asayo: I'm so sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. A lot has been going on in my life and I've been so stressed out! However, I'm trying to get back into writing weekly, so give me time, please! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Hinata and Naruto, Hinata and Naruto; that's all that the youths of Konoha village talked about. Whispered words were passed back and forth behind the couples back, some encouraging, kind gentle words, some against the pairing altogether, but either way, the two young lovers were the centre of the village gossip. About how Naruto cheated on Sakura, about what he had said to her, about how Naruto was set up, about how Sakura left him, about how Naruto didn't mind.

That said ninja sat, once again, under the protective branches of the cherry blossom tree, but this time, with another girl. Hinata sat cross-legged on the other side of the tree trunk, and although thery were almost back to back, they held hands. Her eyes nervously flicked from side to side as, unlike Naruto, she was well aware and slightly afraid of all the rumours floating around. Her duffle coat lay sprawled across the ground somewhere to her left and, even though the heat of the sun was almost unbearable, she wished she was hidden beneath it again. It was her safe place, where no one could touch her. She felt like she shouldn't be here, like she was intruding. Naruto was just behind her, yet it felt like he was a world away from her. They sat there, not speaking, their silence heavier than words. She shifted uncomfortably.

"Is something wrong, Hinata?" His voice sounded distant, faint. She forced a smile.

"N-no Naruto. I just feel like..." She couldn't complete the sentence, wishing she had just stopped talking after "no".

"Like...?" His voice felt closer, but in a bad way. Like he was being dragged out of a dream but wasn't ready to return to the real world yet. Like she was a nuisance. She didn't want to feel like this. They had only been going out for a little while, and everything was fine until now. He had made a bold move by taking her to this spot. Everyone knew it was their spot, Naruto and Sakura's spot, not hers.

"Like...maybe I shouldn't be here. I mean, Sakura..." She was interrupted mid-sentence by rustling behind her. Naruto was getting to his feet. He looked peeved.

"I thought I told you that me and Sakura are over now. I offered for us to be friends, but she declined. I can't make myself love her can I?" He huffed and turned away again. "If you want to go, fine." He started walking off.

"No wait Naruto!" In a blind rush of panic, she pushed herself to her feet and charged after Naruto. The blonde nin, who was caught completely by surprised, turned around to find himself being knocked backwards off his feet. He dug his feet into the ground and held the teary Hinata. "I-I-I'm so sorry Naruto...I just thought...it wasn't my place. I didn't...I mean, we can stay here if you want." She clung onto him, fearing that if she let go, he would leave her for good. He brushed her hair and hugged her back.

"It's ok. I'm sorry too. I'm just really tense lately. I didn't mean what I said. I shouldn't have been so harsh and taken my anger out on you." Smiling kindly, he found her cheek, brushed away the tears and then levelled her face with his. "I love you, Hinata." He whispered into her ear, and with that, he slowly pushed his lips onto hers. She responded almost automatically, reaching around his neck with her hand. Their bodies were so close, they almost melted into one, and no one noticed the two figures kissing softly in the summer breeze.

X X X

"Ah! What do you think you're doing, Kakashi?" The pink haired ninja wriggled free from him, blushing. I took a moment for her to get her bearings. The last thing she'd remembered was being wrapped up in his strong arms...

Get a hold of yourself, girl! Take a look around you! Her Inner Sakura hadn't made an appearance for a while. The cherry blossom turned around, and gasped.

A beautiful garden stretched out as far as the eye could see. Different types of herbs and flowers were scattered around, shielding any brown patch of earth from view. Trees stretched up to impossible heights, as if in competition to see which was the tallest and the grass and shrubbery ran wild, but not too wild so that it was overgrown. Vines climbed up fences and ornaments, and somewhere, not too far off, she could hear the sound of running water. There was absolute silence apart from the sound of water, buzzing insects, and a bird chirping off to her right somewhere. She daren't say anything in case she disturbed the peace. Suddenly, the blossom became aware that she was alone. Kakashi had gone. Spinning around, she searched for signs of movement in the trees and bushes, but there was none. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a path cutting through the forest of trees. Double checking that Kakashi wasn't around, she started down the mysterious path.

The sound of water became louder as she made her way forwards. Stray branches clung to her as she moved and the smell of so many different flowers combined made her nose itch. Where on earth was she?

The dense forest of trees parted and an elegant water feature came into view. It was of a beautiful, young woman bending over a small pool. She had a flower in her hair and her hands were almost touching the rippling water. Sitting next to it, was Kakashi, nose deep in a book, as usual.

"Master Kakashi! Where were you?" Her eyes drank the sight of the place. She'd never seen anything like it.

"I was here the whole time. I thought you could use the time to yourself to explore." He replied, calmly flipping over the next page. "What do you think of this place?"

"It's amazing! It's like an enchanted fairytale garden." The whole place reminded her of something from a book. Once again, she thought back to The Secret Garden.

"Oh really?" The masked ninja smiled and raised his head. Their eyes met. "If this is a fairytale, then you're the princess." Winking, he returned to his book, as if nothing had happened. To her mortification, Sakura felt herself blushing. Every movement he made, everything he said, he said it so..so..

Sexily? Her inner Sakura chimed in. Shut up, she forced the thought out of her head. He's way older than me, even if he is hot...

"So, Kakashi, where are we anyway?" The blossom tried to distract her inner self, while at the same time, struggling with her feelings for her ex teacher.

"We're in my secret place. I come here now and then to think things over. I'm the only one who ever visits this place, well, until now. So don't tell anyone!" He chuckled "Now that this is your secret place too, I expect you to come here every time you feel sad or want to relax. Got that?" He ordered in a jokingly stern voice. Sakura laughed and played along.

"Sir, yes sir!" She giggled. Instantly, she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. He trusted her with an amazing secret, and that alone made her feel better. "What if I don't?" She joked. He leaned forwards, closing the gap between them.

"Well, I'll just have to kidnap you and take you here anyway." He winked, and patted her hair as her cheeks turned pink. "Of course, I would also have to stop you escaping..." He scratched at his chin thoughtfully through his mask.

"Who says I'd want escape?" The words tumbled out of her mouth before she even realised what she had said. Her whole face flushed red, but she managed to maintain eye contact. The white haired ninja laughed.

"Well, it isn't kidnapping if you willingly stay, is it?" Their lips were, once again, just inches away, teasing her. Should she make the first move? Was he planning on moving in? Her heart pounded as she wondered if she could really do it, and the whole time, his eyes were searching her face. Should she...could she...?

"N-no," Stuttered the blossom. She willed her body to move forwards, but it wouldn't obey. She wanted to, so badly...and then the chance was gone. He moved back and ruffled her hair lightly. He trusted her. What if he didn't really like her that way? He had treated her with so much kindness, she couldn't mess it up. She realised that she couldn't do it. Not yet. "No, I guess not."

"You look disappointed." He teased, but let the subject drop. "Anyway, stay here for as long as you like. I don't mind. It's been a while since I've been here." Kakashi smiled faintly. Sakura smiled back.

"Is it ok if I stick around here for a while? This place is so peaceful!"

"Of course, be my guest." He shifted into a more comfortable position and turned his attention back to his book. Sakura turned to the way she had just come from. The place seemed so huge! She had no idea where to start exploring first. A grin tugged at her lips. Why worry? She had plenty of time.