- Chapter Three -

Sakura hesitated at the door and panic gripped her heart in an icy fist. He's not dead, he's not dead, he's not dead... She bit her bottom lip nervously and blinked back tears, swallowed tightly, and took a deep breath. Then she turned the handle and pushed the door open for whatever waited inside...

Sakura almost fainted from relief at the sight of the silver haired man sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed before her, the heart monitor by his bedside beeping slowly but steadily. A plastic mask was put over his mouth, allowing the medical respirator to breathe for him. A section of his hair near the back of his head had been shaved off in order to stitch up a nasty wound. Sakura hurried to his bedside and rested her hands gently upon his chest to send her chakra through him and search for any more problems. When she was absolutely certain that everything was as it should be, Sakura relaxed and sighed contently. She couldn't keep the smile off her face even if she tried.

"Sakura..." Tsunade said from the corner of the room where she sat in a chair. Naruto, who appeared his normal self with the exception of his usual pep, and Sasuke, who wore white gauze around his head to protect his recovering eyes, stood on either side of her.

"Yes, shishou?" Sakura's voice was light from the heavy weight that had been lifted off her shoulders. Her hands were still trembling from the previous trepidation.

"About the S-ranked mission Team Seven just came back from... I will tell you the details if you officially swear absolute secrecy regarding this matter, and keep in mind that the only reason I'm letting you in on this is because it concerns your team." Tsunade told her sternly, an edge of seriousness in her voice. Sakura's eyes widened momentarily, taking in the gravity of the situation. Tsunade pointed to a piece of paper that laid upon the table in front of her and Sakura left Kakashi to inspect it. After reading it over, she slipped her hitai-ate off her head and held it over her heart, repeating the words on the paper.

"I, Haruno Sakura, jonin kunoichi of Konohagakure, solemnly swear that I will not, directly or indirectly, reveal to any unauthorized person content or any part of the contents of this S-ranked mission, communication or information related directly or indirectly to anyone or anything, living or dead. If I do not abide by this contract I will give up my Konohagakure residency, rights, and accept any punishment that the Godaime Hokage, Senju Tsunade, and the Council of Elders see fit." After swearing on her hitai-ate Sakura put it back on then stood before Tsunade.

"Give me your hand." The Sannin ordered. Sakura complied without a word of protest. Tsunade held onto Sakura's hand and put two fingers over the inside of her wrist and, with her other hand, flashed through a series of hand seals. The two fingers that were pressed to the inside of Sakura's wrist glowed a bright red and the girl cried out in pain from the seal burning into her skin. When Tsunade was finished she gently lifted Sakura's hand up to her face to inspect her work. The crest of the Senju clan was seared into her skin, small but deep. Blood ran down her arm from the wound and Tsunade healed it with a single finger, glowing green. Only the smallest trace of a scar revealed in the right angle of light was left.

"What the hell did you do to her, Baa-chan?!" Naruto roared, disbelief and confusion in his eyes.

"Relax, Naruto. It's just part of the contract. It ensures that Sakura won't speak of this mission. It's top secret, after all, and she's not even allowed to know in the first place. If I'm going to put myself on the line by letting her know, then I need some insurance." Tsunade explained.

"Come on, you know Sakura-chan wouldn't say anything! You branded her-"

"It's okay Naruto, really. I'm fine with this. It's necessary, and I trust Tsunade-shishou." Sakura cut in. I need to do this if I want to know what happened to them...

Naruto glowered but said no more words of protest, and Sasuke remained placidly silent in his typical fashion.

"Now, about this S-ranked mission..." Tsunade's voice became hushed, as if the walls had ears. Sakura strained her own to listen and stepped closer.

"...I sent Team Seven on a classified, S-ranked mission to assassinate the Tsuchikage." Sakura's eyes widened and she gasped, but Tsunade continued.

"The plan was to send Team Seven out undercover, posing as Iwa-nin, to assassinate the Tsuchikage from the inside. That's why it took six months to succeed... They had to gain his trust and move up the ranks. Sasuke and Naruto were supposed to eliminate any distractions while Kakashi used his Chidori to quickly and effectively assassinate the Tsuchikage, thus ending the war before it begins. Naruto fared well, as you can see, but Sasuke overused his Sharingan and would have lost his sight without your help... And Kakashi barely managed to defeat the Tsuchikage, sustaining a serious head injury. He is stable, but currently in a coma."

Tears ran from Sakura's eyes and her shoulders shook, her head bent down to hide her face with her hair as a roseate curtain. Tsunade moved to place her hand upon the other woman's arm when she flinched at the contact. Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise at the anger in Sakura's glare, aimed straight for her.

"How could you send them on such a dangerous mission?! They could have died, Tsunade-shishou! They're all I have left and you nearly sent them to their graves! I don't know what I would have done without them..." Sakura lamented, her face cradled in her hands. She knew she was overreacting, but the stress was too much to handle at the moment.

Tsunade stood and hugged the pink haired woman, and she didn't pull away. Naruto, never one to miss out on the action, pulled them both into a large embrace. When Sasuke, who couldn't see but was fully aware of the situation, didn't make a move to join in, Naruto grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him forward. The knuckle-headed ninja squeezed them all in a single embrace, his most precious people, and Sasuke patted Sakura's back awkwardly in a vague hug. The four held each other tightly at the foot of Kakashi's hospital bed, the monitor beeping steadily at his side.

"Can't... Breathe..." Sakura gasped out after the tears were long gone. Naruto released them at once and grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck with a hand. Sasuke retreated back to his corner at once and scowled at the sudden physical contact. Tsunade straightened herself back up, professionalism back on her face. Sakura wiped off the left over moisture on her face and, upon seeing their disgruntled appearances, laughed at them all. Naruto laughed as well, both of them cracking under the stress. Tsunade chuckled under her breath at the ridiculousness of it all and the corner of Sasuke's mouth turned up in a smirk. After the laughter had subsided, Tsunade spoke.

"Sakura, you should go home and rest. You'll be summoned right away when Kakashi gains consciousness, I promise." Said woman nodded before standing beside her fiancee's bedside once more, and Tsunade left. Sasuke, noticing the atmosphere, went to walk out the door when he noticed Naruto didn't make any indication of following. The Uchiha mentally rolled his eyes, seeing as he didn't have that luxury at the moment, and grabbed Naruto's collar to drag him out the door. There was a vague mutter of dobe under his breath along with Naruto's whines of protest and then they were gone, leaving Sakura alone with the unconscious Kakashi.

Sakura's hand lightly traced over his revealed cheek, the silver stubble there scraping against her finger tips. Knowing he wouldn't have it any other way, she took off the respirator momentarily to slip his mask on over his face which was previously bunched around his neck. Sakura bent down and lightly kissed the sleeping man through his mask before putting the respirator back on.

"Please wake up soon... I'll be waiting." Sakura slipped quietly out of the room, the door clicking shut behind her. The only sounds in the room were the steady beeping of the heart monitor on his bedside and the shallow breaths of the respirator which breathed for him.

Sakura sat at a small table on the balcony outside Kakashi's apartment. She stared out at the setting sun in the distance, the orange and pink light casting her a beautiful silhouette. She looked positively heavenly, and the sight took Kakashi's breath away. She wore a simple white, cotton summer dress that ended mid-calf, the thin straps showing off her pale shoulders generously. The creamy skin of her arms and back was revealed, though the dress itself was modest. He used her current state of distraction to take a few moments and observe the sight before him, taking it all in and preserving it to memory. Kakashi was never much into the arts, but Sakura was surely beauty in every sense of the word. He was sure of it, more so than anything else he could think of. The famous Copy-Nin swallowed nervously, silently, his throat parched with nervousness, and gathered control of his visage before making himself known.

"Late as always, I see," Sakura said with a light chuckle. Her chin was rested in the palm of her hand, her gaze never leaving the horizon.

"I was on my way over when I found a stray kitten wandering in the street... I couldn't possibly leave it there all alone."

"Oh no, of course not!" Sakura grinned and went along with it, though they both knew it was simply one of his sorry excuses. She turned her face towards him for the first time and he felt his heart rate accelerate at the sight of her visage, creamy skin practically glowing in the diminishing light. Her lips were a light pink, pursed in a knowing smile that she showed only to him. And her eyes... They were simply divine. Large emerald orbs that unknowingly demanded his attention, pulling him in with a hypnotic allure. Kakashi became lost in their depths momentarily before Sakura's voice pulled him out of his reverie.

"Kakashi? Is there something wrong?" A small smile graced his lips, his eyes sparkling with pride. God, he was so damn lucky to have her.

"No... Nothing's wrong. Not at all." Sakura tilted her head slightly to the side, confusion settling in as she tried to get a read on him. Kakashi pulled out a scroll from the inside pocket of the black blazer he wore over a black turtle neck. He had ditched the mask for this event, though he wore dark blue jeans. His forehead protector was also absent, leaving his mismatched eyes uncovered to roam. Even his hair was combed tidily, the silver strands still placed in a gravity-defying point slightly askew, but neatly so.

"What's that?" Sakura asked, eying the scroll in his hand. When she had first laid eyes on him she nearly gaped at the sight of him. He was simply dashing, devilishly handsome... Sakura bit her lip to stop the huge grin that threatened to take over her face. She thanked the gods or whoever was out there for her somehow managing to get this beautiful man that stood before her.

"It's a mission report from Tsunade-sama." Kakashi explained with a nonchalant shrug. "She asked me to deliver it to you."

Kakashi held the scroll out to her and she grasped it. The paper itself was a pristine alabaster, and Sakura was afraid her fingers would leave a print no matter how clean. She raised an eye brow at the scarlet silk ribbon that held it closed, tied in an elegant red bow. It certainly was fancy... If the scarlet ribbon didn't say it, then the thick, expensive looking parchment did. What kind of mission was this, anyway? Sakura gently pulled one side of the ribbon and it came undone, the ivory parchment still rolled up. She eyed it with interest and pulled the thick paper open to reveal it's contents. Kakashi held his breath as she read, waiting for her reaction.

~* Certificate of Marriage *~

Konohagakure, Village Hidden in the Leaves

This is to certify that Senju Tsunade, Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure, Village Hidden in the Leaves, by virtue of the license required by law did on this day unite in holy binds of matrimony, Hatake Kakashi and _.

In testimony whereof I have caused the said parties with myself and three legal witnesses to sign these presents, the day and date aforesaid. Witnesses: Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Sai.

Sakura gasped upon reading the scroll, eyes wide in realization. Before she could say a word, Kakashi knelt down before her and smoothly pulled out a ring box from the pocket of his blazer. The velvet box opened with a snap, revealing a ring with a simple silver band, a single princess cut diamond adorning the center.

"Sakura..." Kakashi's voice pulled Sakura out of her reverie, staring at the ring. Her gaze snapped to his mismatched one, and he continued.

"Would you do me the honor of marrying me?" Sakura's throat became tight and hot tears seeped from her eyes. She bit her lip and nodded vigorously, her voice failing her. Kakashi's eyes widened at her compliance and he grinned the largest Sakura had ever seen him smile. She held out her left hand and Kakashi slipped the ring on her finger, his own hands trembling lightly, and he jumped up to pull her into a crushing embrace. Her face was buried in his chest and her hands rested on his back, pulling him close. Kakashi bent his head down to nuzzle in the silky, roseate strands of her hair, breathing deeply.

Applause brought the couple out of their embrace and Sakura was surprised to see Tsunade, Naruto, Sasuke, Sai, and Yamato walk out onto the balcony, which quickly became cramped.

"Everyone..." Sakura said quietly, still shocked. Tsunade smiled at her, happiness dancing in her eyes for her favorite pupil.

"All you have to do is sign in the space provided, Sakura." The Sannin instructed, pointing at the marriage certificate on the small table. Sakura took a closer inspection of the article and found that Tsunade, Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai had already signed it themselves. Even Sai had signed; she had once been afraid that he'd slip away after Sasuke's return. As if he reading her mind Sai stepped forward and offered her a thin paint brush of his, seeing as she didn't have a pen to sign with. Sakura took it with a smile and wrote her signature in the line provided- there was no hesitation. Now all they needed to do was send the document in to the Council of Elders, where it would be officially passed. The ceremony would come later, and Sakura could already envision her and Ino planning every last detail.

"Hey, why didn't Yamato-taichou sign?" Naruto inquired, looking down at the certificate with a puzzled expression.

"There need only be three witnesses- you, Sasuke, and Sai." Tsunade explained. Naruto frowned.

"But it's signed by the whole team! Sakura and Kakashi-sensei can't get married unless the whole team approves it!" He insisted.

"No, that's quite alright, Naruto..." Yamato said, shifting uncomfortably. He raised a hand in a shrug, the other one scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Oh no, I don't think so! Come on, taichou!" Naruto grabbed the front of the ANBU captain's vest and drug him forward to the table where Sai's pen laid along with the document. The disheveled man took a timid glance at Sakura, who rolled her eyes at Naruto's antics but smiled and nodded nonetheless. Yamato, still unsure since there was no place for him to sign, held the brush over the paper in contemplation.

"Just sign the damn thing already, Tenzou." Kakashi grumbled. At the sound of his superior's approval, Yamato wrote his name alongside Sai's. Tenzou Yamato, his scrawly handwriting read, putting down both aliases, and Naruto was satisfied.

Kakashi grabbed Sakura's hand and pulled her to him, as if she'd somehow slip away. He still couldn't believe what was happening. Everything was going so smoothly, it was like a wonderful dream... A wonderful dream he never wanted to wake up from. Sakura looked up at him, beaming, and he smiled back down at his lovely fiancee. How beautiful she was, and all his. He wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, blocking out the chatter of Naruto and everyone else in the background, and Sakura stood up on her tip toes to press a chaste kiss against his lips. Everything was perfect, Kakashi concluded. Though he couldn't help but feel paranoid that something would go wrong.

Sakura was called into the hospital a week later. Tsunade had given her the grim news in person. Kakashi was diagnosed with an anoxic brain injury and had shown no signs of recovery, resulting in a coma with an unknown duration. He would be kept on life support for the time being, but not even Tsunade knew when he would wake up... Or if.

A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; all rights belong to Kishimoto Masashi.

This is where the real story begins. The previous chapters have all been building up to this moment, where all the angst begins. Enjoy! ;)