WOW *looks around and listens to crickets chirp* It's been a LOOOONG time, hasn't it? I've graduated Uni, am loving my one year-old daughter, and have recently moved. So I have been up to a lot lately. I really wanted to get this done and I've finally been finding time to write again. So so so sorry this has taken so long and hopefully you'll be happy to see this update! And I hope the end of this is pleasing! I'll be back here and there with more KakaSaku goodies.

This hasn't been beta read so all mistakes are mine alone. Thanks for sticking around and reading and being patient with me!

Mateba, this is for you, dear!

His breath was ripe with alcohol; the heat of his laugh spread back against his mouth and cheeks within in his mask. Making the genin Team 7 chase after runaway cats had always been a reminder of the lame missions he had to endure as a kid. Yet, somehow, when Rin retold the story it was a lot more humorous.

"I got mud all in my hair!" Rin howled and then pointed at him. "And you! I can't believe you got tripped up by the cat!"

"At least I wasn't the one that got carved up by the kitty," he defended. Seriously, he detested the little fur balls to begin with. He was glad he kicked the damn thing instead of getting shredded to ribbons by it. Obito looked downright ridiculous that afternoon.

Kakashi's smile faltered and he picked up the bottle of shochu, filling both of their glasses. His eye followed her hand as it circled the cup and then raised it to her lips. He could see her lips twitch, that nervous little tic she got when there was something on her mind that she considered to not be right to say aloud. Then she downed the liquid and smacked her lips together.

She couldn't be that upset about having to pay the bill, could she?

That thought in turn made him think back to that moment when he caught up with Sakura and the tears that sprang to her eyes the instant she saw him there.

"Why are you here?" she had asked him, voice soft and strained just above the wind.

"Why are you?" he'd retorted.

Ever since Rin had returned, Sakura had withdrawn herself from his company – from him altogether – and he didn't understand why, and he wasn't just going to take it. He had tired of playing footsie with her, of letting her get away. He shared a completely different bond with Sakura than he did with anyone else, strengthening it through the years, and he just missed her and everything that he felt when she was around. Surely, she knew how much she meant to him. Or maybe she had just forgotten. Or worse, she didn't even know. All he wanted was five minutes with her to try to snap some reasoning into her.

"There you go again," Rin said with a huff, her tone bringing him back into the present – the corner table of a little bar that was otherwise empty save for an elderly gentleman eating some soup.

Kakashi took a deep breath, evading her remark. "I didn't know you could drink so well."

She snatched the bottle and filled her cup. "It was all there was pretty much to do in Tenrai… you know, once I was freed and able to continue my medical research."

He inwardly winced. Rin had been by his side practically every day with questions and an eagerness to patrol the village and learn all she could that he hadn't asked her anything about the last nearly twenty years. Why exactly had she been gone so long? What had she been doing? How come she never wrote home? Had she known that everyone thought she was dead? That he thought it had been his entire fault?

He gave his throat a little clear and raised his glass. "So you've been in Tenrai this entire time?"

She nodded. "Well, pretty much. I was taken there so there were a few stops along the way. For a tiny town run by some questionable characters, they ended up being quite knowledgeable people. They helped sharpen my medical skills and, though I was just given orders to remain there at first, I ended up taking a bit of a liking to it…"

He couldn't help but notice the glum way she'd look down into her empty cup, and the heavy way she'd pour another drink. He didn't miss the way her eyes would slide over to him before turning to the rim of the glass as she downed it one go. He couldn't stop the sinking feeling in his gut.

"Rin, are you mad at me?"

She sputtered, a surprised cough laced with a tiny laugh. "Me? Mad at you? Please, you haven't forgotten your role, but don't you remember mine? I'm so totally smitten for you that I can't see anyone else, let alone be mad at you."

There was a subtle bite to her words that had him taking his drink and sinking back from her. He didn't understand exactly why she would say such things, unless… No, no, no, she couldn't possibly… She knew of his feelings toward her back then, and they had been separated for nearly twenty years. Feelings didn't linger around for that long, did they?

He watched her in silence a bit longer, as she ordered another bottle and polished off what little remained. Who was he kidding? Of course she still felt that way. Hell, he still felt guilty for his actions – and inactions – from the years they spent together as a team. When he had gotten the summons about Rin, he had to go to the hospital simply to see if it was true. All those years he spent talking to her ghost and she was in the pale bed before him. It was all so surreal. Then she had woken up, and cried, and he had felt so relieved and shocked and happy that he cried. Perhaps he wasn't as damned as he thought. Perhaps he had a chance to redeem himself, to make things right by her. That was all he wanted: a chance to make things right, to be the kind of friend and protector he had promised to be.

He eyed the drink as it spilled from her chin and sighed; he was already doing a miserable job. He offered his glass. "I thought we were drinking together."

"Really? I thought you were over there cuddling and nursing your drink."

"Yes, really, and I'm offended. Now pour me a glass!"

She smiled wryly up at him and poured him a half cupful. His brow rose at this. "Come on, you have more than me."

"Because obviously I can drink more than you," she said with a huff and an indignant sniff to the air.

"Is that a challenge? Cause let me warn you, Gai has put me through quite a bit of drinking challenges, and I always win those."

She snorted, quite un-ladylike, and filled his cup with more liquor. "Just remember, I'm not Gai."

"Trust me, no matter how inebriated I may get, I will never forget that."

Their glasses clinked together and then they drank.

Hours passed and the sky darkened, and soon Kakashi was digging out his wallet to pay for their drinks as Rin leant heavily on her open palm propped on the table. Her body would sway to the side before she'd jerk back upright and then slouch all over again. He blinked as he stared at the tab; when did shochu get more expensive? He shrugged and dished out a few bills anyway, generously handing over the change as a tip – which he'd chalk up later to his state of intoxication.

He walked over to the table and grabbed Rin's shoulder. "Come on, time to go."

"I don'… wanna… move," she mumbled.

"But you have to. Where's all that tough-girl talk now?"

Her face scrunched up. "… show you tough girl…"

He had a feeling that he'd be getting nowhere if they kept this up, and the elderly owner of the shop was looking at them with quiet expectancy to hurry and leave so he could close up. With another sigh, Kakashi turned around and knelt down.

He looked back over his shoulder. "Get on."

Her eyes widened as she looked at his back. "Seriously?"

"Yes, I'm being serious. Let's go, tough-girl."

He looked away, waiting patiently for het to gather herself. If she blushed or hesitated at all, he didn't know – didn't want to know. He was already going to hurt her, he always had and he knew somewhere that it was how it was always going to just be. So he'd rather not notice how she held her breath, or if she smiled.

He felt her hands first and then he heard an annoyed and lightly slurred mutter as she pulled herself forward. "Are you sure?" she asked, voice timid and fingers shifting on his shoulder in an anxious matter.

He lifted his arms, ready for her to climb on. "Absolutely. Let's get you home."

Her weight settled against him and she was warm on his back. As he stood, he tucked his arms under her, and then he nodded his parting to the man and ducked out from behind the flaps and into the welcoming night.

It was still relatively early, only about ten, and the ones that were out now were just getting their night started. They received a few curious looks, and when Rin apologized, her breath was hot and there was no denying what she had just been indulging in.

He only hoisted her a little higher, readjusting his hold on her. "You don't need to be sorry. They're all probably just shocked to see the great Copy Ninja carrying a woman."

He could hear her huff. "Being an egotist doesn't suit you."

"Are you sure you're as drunk as you say you are? Impressively, you can still put a sentence together," he teased.

"How are you not drunk?"

He hummed in thought. "That's pretty much all there was to do," he replied using her words.

He tilted his head back and her breath came out tickling his ear and it felt far too intimate for him to handle, for his guilt and shame to take. He straightened and cast his gaze down. "It's nice out tonight."

She hummed and he could feel her move as she craned her head back. "Yeah." She returned and wrapped her arms around him even tighter. "You know, I remember there being more stars."

He once thought the same thing. "No, the sky just looked bigger back then."

He could feel her stare, it was hot and penetrating, but he wouldn't look back. The sound of his steps crunching and swishing through the grass was all there was for a moment before he felt Rin droop against him.

Her voice was small when it came out. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Doesn't mean that it's not still beautiful."

She only hummed in response and he hated how it made him feel. "So, what were they like – the people in Tenrai? You said you ended up taking to them."

"They're refugees, a group of misfits," she replied with a sigh. "They were in need of medical help and I just happened to be one of the first medics they found. At first," she hesitated and after a moment she seemed to change her mind. "Well, after I got there and saw how dire the situation was, I couldn't not help them. It is my job to save lives after all."

"I've always admired your drive to help people, Rin."

Her arms flexed around him before she quietly admitted. "I never intended to stay."

"So what happened?"

"They needed me. I made contact to the Hokage and pleaded their case. So, he asked me to stay as a representative of Konoha in hopes that some sort of allegiance would form. I was supposed to do my job and heal, train new medics, and help them build a place where they could see those reliable healers. And it felt good doing it. I was doing more there than I ever could back home. Besides," she paused, "all I really had was you… and you never needed me."

Kakashi slowed to a stop; if she only knew what he had been through. But that kind of grief was his alone. "Rin-"

"It's okay, it's my fault for hanging onto these feelings for you when you made it clear back then how you felt about me… or rather how you didn't."

He clenched his eye shut as he felt a warm splash on the back of his neck.

"Put me down," she ordered.

He knelt down so she could climb off and he remained there with his fingers pressed to the earth, allowing her a moment. But she didn't take it; her voice was shaking and coming out on the verge of crying. "You could never let yourself love me! Why?"

Kakashi looked down, pinching a blade of grass between his fingers. Maybe it was because she had never asked, or maybe it was because the alcohol had made him a little more loose-lipped than usual, or maybe it was because she should know and he owed it to her, but he rose to his feet and faced her. "Because he loved you."

Her eyes widened a little before narrowing on him. "That's unfair! You both knew how I felt and who I felt it for. You… you promised to take care of me, didn't you?"

He had, and that memory was painfully scorched onto his heart. It seemed like a cheap shot for her to take, but he couldn't blame her for her pain. "Yes, but I didn't promise to love you."

"You never even tried," she threw back, voice wavering and giving up.

He studied her as she dropped her head. The tears that spilled from her face sparkled like crystals in the moonlight. He took a deep breath and stuffed his hands into his pockets. "There was a time that I thought I could, but I was positive I could never adore you the way that Obito did. I don't think I even understood what love meant. Somehow I knew I'd hurt you and leave you crying, just like you're doing now. So I decided to just try to keep my word."

That comment stopped her sniffles and she shot her head up, staring at him with defiant, tear-filled eyes. Kakashi was just glad to see that spirit still there.

"Tell me then, as a protector, weren't you even worried about what happened to me? Did you search for me? Did you try to even-"

"They told me you were dead."

His confession derailed her argument and he could see that she was visibly surprised. He looked up towards the tops of the trees, watching the branches sway in the wind. "I mourned you for many years."

"Kakashi, I-"

But her voice as she said his name had lost its edge and was too soothing, too sympathetic after finding out the truth, that he didn't want to hear it. "I didn't believe it when I heard you were here. Being with you, it made me think that I had another chance to keep my promise. Instead, I only tugged you along and hurt you again."

Concern rose in his chest as she waved on her feet and suddenly fell to her knees; he rushed to her side, grabbing onto her shoulders to offer support. "Rin?"

His brows knit in worry as she started to laugh. "I was so mad because everything had changed – including you… and now I know why."

She lowered herself to sit with a sigh, and letting out a breath of relief of his own, he sat beside her in the grass. "For how things have turned out, I'm sorry, Rin."

She wiped at her eyes. "You've never really been the apologizing type, it's weird," she muttered.

"What can I say, I've learned how to over the years."

"Because of you team, your friends."

He gave a slow nod, feeling as if the channels between them were going back to normal – or as normal as they ever were.

"Because of Sakura?" she inquired.

He hid his shock and turned a questioning gaze to her. "Sakura?"

"I followed you," she confessed, "the night you took her those chocolates… and earlier."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I felt like there was something more going on than what you were telling me. And I was right… You care about her."

He bit back a sigh, a bit miffed that she had spied on him – and that he hadn't noticed. But he appreciated her honesty. "I do."

"Do you love her?"

"Rin, don't do this."

"Do you?" she pressed.

Did he? All that confusion and ache had just seemed to fizzle away in the middle of the field where he had caught up with Sakura. In that moment, when everything became so clear, when he wrapped her in his arms, he hadn't even been worried about someone seeing them. In all honesty he had been relieved, touched, to know the truth – that he was the person she had told him about that night. He hated how blind he had been to the whole thing because, in hindsight, he saw every sign and should've pieced it together sooner. He should've been more open - to himself - to admit how happy seeing her made him instead of brushing his feelings aside. Her absence from his life made him feel… not empty, but less than he was when he was with her. All of that warmth and comfort, he missed it and longed for it again.

Rin huffed, annoyed, and slapped him on the shoulder. "It would at least make me feel better about it all if you actually said something!"

He turned and looked at her, feeling quite dismal at how she curled into herself and hugged her knees. "I think it'd be easier if you did love her. You're hard to quit, Kakashi, but I could try if I knew you were happy."

He leaned back on his hands as he felt a smile pull at his lips. Who would've guessed that after all the tragedy and strife that plagued him, he'd find a reason to be happy again - to smile, and live, and fight – that he'd have friends, close friends, which he genuinely cared for. "I am happy, Rin."

Again he could feel her eyes, but he wouldn't avoid them this time. He turned to her and she stared at him in silence, her eyes wide and taking all of him in, including his clean shaven face split by a warm, honest smile. Right then, he nearly had a flashback to the first time Rin had seen his face. Her expression hadn't changed that much, either.

Then, her chin quivered and though a few more tears slipped past her defenses, she smiled back. "That's all I've ever wanted for you."

He pulled his mask back in place and then reached over and rested his hand on her shoulder. "And me for you."

He could see the guilt that laced her eyes before she turned them down. "But what if I'm not happy here?"

It wasn't the question that caught him off guard; it was the fact that she asked it. He had a feeling that something had been bothering her. "That's simple. You go to where you are happy."

They sat in silence for a while and just watched the clouds pass by in the inky sky, their cottony puffs illuminated by the moon. Kakashi would steal a glance from time to time, and she always seemed deep in thought. She finally sighed and then pulled herself to her feet, stumbling a little and stifling a giggle as she swayed a bit.

"Ooh… I don't think I should have drank that much," she mumbled.

"Which is why I'm here," he commented. "Come on, let's get you to your bed so you can sleep it off."

She leaned on him as they started to walk, hugging his arm. "Just let me stay like this, okay?"

He didn't say anything; after everything she had been through, after what they had both experienced since her return, he figured it wasn't that big of a deal to let her have this moment. And truthfully, even though he understood himself and what he had been feeling clearer than ever, he enjoyed having her by his side again. He had truly missed his old friend, and messy emotions be damned, he wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

oOo

Kakashi stepped out into the blaring mid-morning sun, its intensity to his eyes served as a reminder to what happened the night before. He hadn't felt hungover at all as he went about showering and getting dressed, but now as the sun assaulted him he considered going back in. But he couldn't forget what he had resolved to do, and with renewed ambition he continued forward.

The village was never quiet and he seemed to feed off of the energy of those bustling by. It was funny, for all the years he had called Konoha his home, he hadn't really felt a part of the hum and thrum of its pulse until now.

He grinned to himself as Sakura's apartment came into view. He felt so very sure about his actions; he was excited and, dare he say it, even a little nervous. He paused as her door opened and then ducked behind the adjacent building as he saw Rin step out. 'What is she doing there?'

The two women smiled and exchanged a few more words before coming together for a brief hug. Rin reached back inside the door and picked up a pack and slung it over her shoulder. Sakura waved and the door shut as Rin walked away. He mentally apologized to Sakura, promising to be back, and then went after his old friend.

"Didn't think I'd run into you out here," he said from behind her.

She didn't miss a beat. "I was counting on you being here, actually."

"Why is that?"

She spun around and continued to walk backwards as she offered a little smile. "I'm leaving."

The news shocked him. "Already?"

She nodded. "I'm needed out there."

"And here?"

She sighed and turned around, letting him fall into step beside her. "There's no place for me here, Kakashi."

He wanted to argue with her, but couldn't forget her confession soaked in tears and alcohol. Before then, although he'd had a hunch, he thought Rin was just happy to be back home. He hadn't really stopped to consider that Konoha wasn't quite home for her any longer.

He reached out and took her by the arm, causing her to pause. "You always have a place here, whether you realize it yet or not."

She offered a tiny smile. "Konoha will always be my home, and I'll always love her for all the things she's given to me."

He let go and took a step back as she turned to him. He studied her features one more time as she plastered another smile in place. "But I think it's time I move on. Konoha," she paused and met his gaze, "has really changed."

He had no doubt that she was talking about him as well, but he could say the same for the woman who stood before him now.

"I've made arrangements with the Hokage to come back and give a report in person every six months." She gestured to the new leaf insignia on her sleeve. "And this is so that I'm officially recognized and honored as one of the Leaf!"

"So you'll be back to visit?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Is that all you took away from all of that?"

He scratched the back of his head. He had heard every word, and honestly he was happy for her for finding her way. And that he'd get to see her again. He was never given the chance to properly say goodbye to her, and now after so long he wasn't sure if he knew how to - even with the perfect opportunity right before him.

She chuckled a little as she continued on ahead. Kakashi stayed there by her side. "I feel like I should apologize to you."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I think I was the one being naive. You've grown and changed so much. I was stupid to think that you'd still be the same."

It seemed odd to him now, how everyone said he was the "same-ole-Kakashi" when that certainly didn't seem to be the case.

Rin's steps seemed to slow and she took a deep breath. "But over the last couple of weeks, I've realized that I've changed, too. And it was unfair for me to be mad at you. I feel even worse about how I acted last night."

"We all do foolish things from time to time. We're only human, right?"

"Kakashi realizing his humanity?" she laughed at her own teasing. "I'm happy for you."

He glanced up and noticed they were approaching the main gates. That explained her slower pace. "I'm sorry that being back in Konoha didn't turn out very well."

She shook her head. "I met some great new people and the Hokage is wonderful. And I got to see you again… As odd and lonely as it's been, I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

They stood in silence then, prolonging the inevitable goodbye. It had taken some time for Kakashi to wrap his head around the fact that Rin was still alive. And some miniscule part of him still didn't believe it, as if he'd wake at any moment and find it all to be some dream. It felt almost strange to be seeing her off now.

"Well… I guess…" her voice faltered.

He reached out with a single arm, and pulled her in to him. His hand cradled the back of her head and she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so happy I got to see you," she muttered into his chest.

"Me, too. Please, stay safe." I can't mourn you again.

She nodded and then pulled away, hiding her face as she wiped at her cheeks. "I guess this is goodbye."

"For now," he amended.

Her face turned up to him, eyes bright although they were brimming with tears. "Right! I need to get going. I'll see you soon, Kakashi."

His eye creased as he grinned. "I can't wait."

He waved and watched her turn around and begin her journey out of Konoha. There was no denying that the last couple months of his life were caught up in a whirlwind. Rin coming back into his life was something he never expected, and he's admit that it brought so many emotions to the forefront. He did his best to compartmentalize it all, but even with as happy as it made him, as odd as it seemed at first considering he had grieved her for years, he still couldn't quite grasp it all. He hadn't realized how much of his life had become routine until she came in to shake it up. He hadn't realized how much of an impact Sakura had on his life, nor how much of his routine revolved around her, until she was no longer in it.

He still couldn't believe how blind he had been to her feelings. And he had been the one to teach about looking underneath the underneath. Looking back, there were so many clues - as subtle as they were. But that proved to him that being around her changed something in him. He didn't have to be so analytical of every little thing or break down and rationalize every action he made. With Sakura, he could just be and it was a wonderful feeling. One that he had taken for granted, it seemed.

Rin's back was now just a purple speck in the lush green forestry. He knew she'd be okay and that she'd find her place. He could understand that it wasn't easy for her, and proud that she made her choice. It was time for him to make his, but he had one other thing to do first.

oOo

Kakashi stood before the cenotaph. Rin's name had been filled in and the blank space looked so foreign. He gently set his fingers against his old friend's name. Obito. What would he think of Rin and the woman she had become? He apologized to his friend, for thinking that all this time he had her there in company.

"Still…. I know you're not alone."

He closed his eyes and inhaled deep, taking in the scent of pine, of growth, of new life as tiny buds had begun to spring into fragrant flowers. The smell of earth was thick and the promise of rain hung in the air. Change. There wasn't a more perfect time than this to do what was next.

Kakashi crossed back to the other side of the village to Sakura's apartment. No one answered when he knocked, and after a quick search he found that he couldn't feel her chakra presence. It was supposed to be her day off, so there was one other place to check next.

Inside the first training grounds area were Sakura and a small gathering of Chunin. From where he watched it looked as if they were working on chakra control and manipulation. There were so many nerves and blood vessels in a person that it took a great amount of control. Sakura always had exceptional chakra control; he admired that in her, and maybe even envied it a little.

He watched as she spent a little time with each person, placing her hands over theirs and then giving further instruction. She was so focused, only taking a brief moment to push stray hairs from her face. He could tell she was talking, her lips moving and twitching up into a smile here and there. She was so passionate when it came to being a medic; she was so proud of what she did, and he could always feel her energy when she spoke of it. Her passion, now that he thought about it, was one of the things that gravitated him to her. He was relaxed around her. He was… comfortable even. It was an incredible feeling to be able to just be yourself around another human being.

The pitter patter of the gentle rain falling on the leaves began to fill the fields and Sakura's class adjourned, the chunin scuttling away in a hurry. Yet Sakura remained in the field. Her eyes fell close and she turned her hands up, fingers lightly dancing in the rain. Her head fell back, allowing the rain to fall upon her face.

Kakashi found himself rooted, much like the trees he hid among, as he continued to watch her. Everything but Sakura disappeared from his view. Her hair stuck against her face and the creamy column of her throat in wispy tendrils weighed down by the rain. The fat droplets fell upon her skin, and trickled down her neck, and kissed her lips; they soaked through her clothes, the garments clinging to her.

He moved without thought, his feet carrying him with a quiet swiftness across the grounds. Ever since that day when he figured out Sakura's feeling, it was like a light had been turned onto his own. He hadn't wanted to admit before that there were deeper reasons behind his wanting of her company, for letting his gaze linger a little longer on her face when she smiled. Rin's appearance had done more that absolve years of guilt; it had set him free in other manners. He and Sakura had spent too much time dancing around one another, and it was time to change the tempo. If the last couple months had shown him anything, it was to not let opportunities slip by. He got his second chance with Rin, and second chances were a rarity in his line of work. He couldn't let anything hold him back any longer. Especially when it came to Sakura. He'd had enough regret in his life.

Sakura must have sensed him approaching because she pulled herself together, wiping the hair from her face and pushing it behind her ears. She pulled at the hem of her shirt, seemingly all too aware of how wet it was, and then she turned her eyes to him.

It was like a raikiri to the chest, how shockingly brilliant her green eyes were. The color of her eyes had always been beautiful, but set against the rainy grounds they were much more vivid and it seemed to affect him differently, deeply. He could see the confusion flicker across them as he reached for her, but all he had to say could come after.

He lifted his hand and cupped her face along her jaw, his fingertips brushing against her ear in the same moment he hooked his fingers into his mask.

"Kaka-"

He captured her voice, her lips, with his own. Her skin was cooled by the rain, but her mouth was warm and inviting. She was tense, no doubt in shock, but he hadn't felt this sure about anything in a long time, and he wasn't going to let go. Not now. He snaked his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer, as his lips danced across hers, urging her to reply in kind. Her hands, trapped between their bodies, slowly curled into his damp shirt between the opening of his jacket. As he continued to kiss her, he could feel her relax. Her hands loosened and laid flat against his chest. Her lips parted ever so slightly and he felt rather than heard the tiniest gasp from her. Her lips pushed back on his and they fell into sync.

She followed his lead and when their tongues met it was like electricity shooting out from his core. It was such a surprising, overwhelming, fantastic sensation. It was easy to get caught up with her body pressed against his in the falling rain, just the two of them - finally - alone. But Kakashi didn't need to rush it, even if that was what the hot blood pulsing through him wanted. His arm slacked, and his enthusiasm slowed, and he realized she had been standing on her toes to stay with him as he began to pull away. He smirked and gave her another kiss, taking her face in his hands.

She was beautiful - cheeks dusted pink, eyes still closed, mouth gently parted and lips pleasantly kiss-bruised. Her name felt sweet coming out of his mouth this time. "Sakura."

Her eyes cracked open, dazed as if she was waking from a dream. "Y-yes, Kakashi…"

"I'm sorry."

Confusion flitted across her gaze again. It was maddeningly cute to him. "For what?" she asked.

"It seems these eyes don't see everything. I should've realized your feelings sooner. I should've been more honest with myself. I-"

"You don't have to-"

"I do, because if I had I would've saved you the pain, frustration, and tears. I didn't mean to hurt you."

And he meant that. With the evolution of their relationship over the years, she had truly become important to him. And he knew realistically that she had seen, and would continue being exposed to, the harsh reality of their lifestyle, and that she'd get hurt, too. But just as she was always there to put him back together, he wanted to be the same for her.

Her smaller hands circled his wrists and her pinky happened to overlap his glove and brush against his skin. He was amazed at how nice and warm it felt. "I didn't mean to fall for you," she whispered. "Or surprise you with how I felt."

"But you did." He could feel himself smile. "You pulled a fast one on me, Haruno Sakura."

She fought back a grin of her own. "You're still full of surprises yourself."

He leaned forward and placed a kiss to her forehead. "You want to get out of the rain, dry off, and have some tea?"

"That sounds nice."

It really did. He brushed his fingers down her arm to close around her hand as they headed out of the training grounds. Her grip tightened for a brief moment. "What about Rin? Aren't you-"

"She'll be fine, and so will I. I can't even begin to explain how I felt seeing her alive. The better part of my life was spent feeling guilty and mourning her, and -"

"It's okay," Sakura interrupted. "I think I understand. Besides… she came by this morning."

He kept his face neutral; at least he knew now that he hadn't been spotted. "Oh, she did?"

She nodded. "We talked for a while, about the past and the present… and I couldn't help but feel sorry for what she was experiencing. But when she told me she was leaving all I could think about was you and how it would make you feel."

He was warmed by how selfless she was. "Sakura-"

"But she seemed happy then, talking about all she was going to do for the good of others, and…."

Kakashi glanced over as she trailed off, noticing she was blushing a little again. "And?" he prodded.

"And she told me to keep taking care of you. She said she knew she didn't have to worry about you with me around. And then she wished me luck."

"With what?"

She lifted their joined hands and smiled. He couldn't help but chuckle a little and pull her a little closer. They walked along in the rain, other villagers rushing by for cover or to hurriedly get to their destinations. For Kakashi, he was exactly where he wanted to be. And he'd walk with her through anything, so he could keep living as he promised Obito before the cenotaph just hours earlier: with no regrets.