A/N: And now it's Kakashi's turn! XD
Synergic Paths
8. - Sleeping habits
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Sometimes, Sakura really questioned her sanity after an encounter with Kakashi's stubborn personality.
The man wasn't only a lazy, laid-back and somewhat aloof bastard, but he also had a penchant for leaving Sakura's mind running in circles after one of their arguments about his ability to sneak out of the hospital before being discharged. He seemed to enjoy pissing her off, especially when she showed such genuine worry for his wounded self.
That left her with only one solution: treat him in her own apartment. That way she could keep an eye on him while he relaxed. Because it wasn't lost on the pink-haired kunoichi that the Hatake Kakashi only dropped his guard when he was within the safe sanctuary of her home.
From an outsider's view, she kept on living alone. But in reality, she was sharing her apartment – and her bed – with one Copy Ninja and a certain ANBU-ranked mokuton user. This allowed them plenty of privacy and independence, especially when one of them was at home with her.
But somehow, the Hokage had caught wind of their activities, having interrogated Sakura during one of her shifts at the hospital. And this scared her, because she knew how her mentor was regarding the presence of men in her protégé's vicinity. No one was good enough for Tsunade's prized apprentice.
When confronted, Sakura only could deny her liaison with Kakashi, but she couldn't hide the little blush when Tsunade, grasping at straws, cornered her with Yamato. Accepting her liking for the ANBU operative, the Hokage had backed off, thinking that it was only a little crush from the pink-haired female.
If only she knew.
Kakashi, after a long time living in that little piece of a closet that he used to call an apartment, got evicted because the building was to be demolished. Such was the way of the village, always making changes within its walls to provide comfort for its inhabitants.
His cunning mind was already in the works, devising a nice plan for him to get Sakura off the hook and Tsunade off his back. Moving to Yamato's apartment, they got the necessary clearance for continuing their relationship with their pink-haired medic. So far the plan had worked beautifully, and along with the mission duties they kept performing flawlessly, the threesome could breathe freely, knowing that for a moment, they had fooled the overprotective Hokage.
But coming back to the task at hand, Sakura sighed heavily, taking in the sight before her. A slightly battered silver-haired ninja was sleeping soundly on her bed, his arms covering part of his face and the sheets wrapping around what was necessary to maintain a minimum of decorum.
Sakura didn't mind seeing Kakashi naked; after all, he had introduced her to the world of sensation called sex. Sakura had lost her bashfulness during one of their escapades, when they had had a furious, quick romp on top of her old desk in Iruka's classroom.
The medic smiled briefly. It didn't matter that Kakashi kept choosing to hide his own feelings and his real self from the world. Hell, sometimes he didn't allow her to come closer. But she knew that it was part of his character. He had suffered too much during his life, losing everyone precious to him. She had understood after a conversation she had with Yamato, watching over Kakashi after one rather hard mission.
Tenzou had been quite enlightening, explaining a few things she didn't see because of her frustration with the Copy Ninja. From that moment on Sakura had decided to let him breathe, not being so nosy with his thoughts and past, accepting what he was able to offer her, and then some.
But now, seeing him breathing freely thanks to the depth of his slumber and knowing that his condition was much better since she started treating him, she allowed herself a respite, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Yo," a deep male voice whispered huskily. Emerald eyes flying open, she noticed that Kakashi had woken up, watching her with those hooded eyes of his.
"Okaeri, Kakashi," she greeted back softly. "It took me a while, but you're stable now. You should go back to sleep."
Yamato was out on an ANBU mission, so she was all alone with the secretive, silver-haired man.
"How long...?" he asked, and she knew what he wanted to know.
"Only one day. You came back yesterday morning."
He sighed and slipped back into slumber, still exhausted. Sakura sighed, aware that his system needed a lot of rest for her chakra to keep restoring his wounds. She was lucky that she had a poof chair near the bed; for she knew that she was in for a long night watching over her lover's sleep.
Scooting the big cushion to the edge of the bed, she arranged herself in a way that she could hold Kakashi's hand while keeping her body comfortable.
She fell asleep, her fingers entwined with his.
-X-
She woke up when a hand ran lightly between her pink tresses. Blinking owlishly, she lifted her head to see that Kakashi was directing a soft smile at her under his mask.
"How do you feel?" she managed to ask before a yawn got a hold of her mouth.
"Much better and rested, thanks to you."
"I'm glad to hear that," she replied mechanically, rising from the cushion and trying to direct her steps towards the bathroom, forgetting that her hand was still enclosed within his.
Kakashi only held his grasp to call her attention. Sleepy eyes turned to his, questioning.
"What is it?"
He merely lifted his other hand to reinforce his hold, all the while as retracting his arms in order to pull her onto him.
Already used to his unspoken requests, she lay down on the bed with him, as his arms went to wrap around her body.
"I don't deserve you," he murmured next to her hair. She frowned at him.
"Shut up and go back to sleep," she replied starkly, planting a sound kiss on his masked lips. He relaxed, playing with her disheveled hair. His light caresses only prompted her to fall asleep once more, encased within his arms.
"I don't deserve you," Kakashi murmured again. "But I can't help but love you, Forehead girl."
And judging from way she buried her face in his chest, looking unconsciously for his presence, he knew that she shared the same sentiment.
All in all, his sleeping habits had changed quite a bit, only allowing his tormented self to get a proper, deep rest when he knew that she was watching over him.
And now, he could return the favor.
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- Tenna' ento lye omenta -
-XxX-
AN: Much love to Cynchick for betaing these, as usual! 8D