(A/N: This is rated M for mature, just to be safe. Sex may come I later chapters, but it is not my main focus.)

Chapter 1: The Idea

Banned from everything, societal outcasts, they were shunned from the inevitable feelings. Emotionally tortured, physically harassed, and had the worst of job opportunities, was what two of Konoha's most prized Shinobi were awaiting each and every day. All tears had been shed, all anger fumed, but still the two stuck together.

The other villages, who stood appraising the higher ruling of old, couldn't see the bright love the two held for each other. Nobody could. Only blinded by hatred, were they all, too dazed in the knowledge of its atrocity to see how pure and fair their love stretched. Spurned from where they once belonged – exile remained as their last option.

"Sakura we can't!" Silver eyes strained from weary fatigue and worry at his lovers outburst.

"Think about it, Kakashi! We have been left no other choice!"

"But this is Konoha! Our Village! We can't jus – " he was brutally cut off by his pink-haired lady's shouts.

"Leave? Of course we can! What other choice has our lovely village provided us?"

Kakashi was tired. He didn't want to argue and fight anymore. Least of all, with the one, last, cherished person to him. His reluctance to leave for a life of things due to his completely blinding loyalty. He could never abandon the streets that raised him. But, for her... he would do anything. So stretched was their love.

The long, silver-haired man gave a deep sigh, disgruntled if anything, perhaps even with a hint of woe.

He made up his mind.

"You... you're right..."

Sakura was taken aback. He had agreed so quickly. At least, quicker than she would have expected. She saw the look on his face and was immediately filled with regret at sharing the plan on her mind.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Kashi..." she began.

He waved her off with a tiredly flippant hand.

"No, don't... I mean, you're right," He, sadly, replied.

She caressed his be-masked face, wishing to erase his pain with her fingers tips.

"I love Konoha, too... so do you see? Even knowing how much it pains me I – "

He placed his finger against her lips.

"Sakura, I made my bed, the day I fell in love with you. I should have known better, but...then... there is not a single thing I regret. Not even leaving Konoha,"

He gave a half-hearted, eye-creasing smile in an attempt to soothe her immense guilt.

"I love you, Sakura, I would rather die or even shame myself than lose you,"

Sakura knelt by him, resting her forehead against his, his silver hair tickling and melding into her own. The sharp contrast between them shown on many levels.

"I feel the same... but... it causes me so much pain, the hurt this is going to be putting you through... I've never felt that this place was... a home... the only place I have ever felt that way about... was with you, Kashi..."

He pulled his navy mask down, bringing his face up to gently place his lips over hers,cupping her face in his palm as he did so.

When the two broke apart, he whispered against her lips, the simple phrase that had started this all:

"...I love you..."

she kissed his closed eyelids.

"I love you, too."

Kakashi sighed.

"We..." his shaggy head sagged. "we have to talk about how we're going to get out of here..."

"What's to talk about?" she said spiritedly. "we'll just pack and get out."

His brow furrowed.

"You understand... if we leave Konohagakure unnoticed and without provocation and agreement from the Hokage – and seeing as she's the main one against us... we won't exactly be getting her blessing." he spoke the last sardonically.

Sakura plopped down in front of him, in thought.

"We'll also have the Anbu to worry about," she added, dazed in her calculations.

"And whatever other unmatched obstacles Tsunade – or anyone else opposed to us, namely, the whole Village – has up her sleeve..."

She flopped on her back with a dull thud as her body met the Tatami mats that coated the floor of Kakashi's home.

"We have a lot to plan..."

"A lot to prepare, too... you know... by doing this... we'll be labeled as rogue's."

The unspoken, like, Sasuke, their former cell-mate of long times past, was only thought of and hung in the air.

"Who would shelter us?" Sakura asked helplessly.

"Only enemy nations but that... this... this I can not do!" he spoke firmly, throwing his fist against the adjoining wall. He calmed himself with deep breathing as Sakura sat up by her elbows to stare.

"Which is why," he started again gruffly. "we have to prepare in case we aren't refuged..."