A/N - Sososososooooo sorry for how long it has been! I was busy to begin with, and then my laptop broke, taking with the original first 1000 words of this chapter. Still... there is no excuse for this lateness. Thank you as always to the lovely (lovely!) people who reviewed the last chapter, and I anticipate a faster update next time. I'm feeling festive. The 150th reviewer can have a oneshot. (Don't feel guilty for fic-neglect at all!) Thank you thank you thank you to WitchesRayne, the absolutely love of my life XD There should be a temple somewhere made for the praising of wonderful Beta readers. Instead, for now, I shall sadly have to stick to slightly creepy adoration. Unfortunately this chapter thus far has been edited only by myself, as I have neglected it for so long... feel happy guys!

Chapter 11

The next day's meeting prelude saw an exhausted Sakura accidentally knocking several bottles of moisturiser and hair products into the sink as she reached for a flat black brush to untangle her dripping wet hair; her other hand clutched her towel tightly to her. She'd been in the shower longer than usual in her preoccupied daze and it seemed that her decision to start getting ready forty five minutes early was going to be a saving grace. She'd surely be late without it. Still, she tied her hair into a knot at the base of her neck rather than drying it. Ino would have a fit.

The pink haired woman released an exasperated sigh as she pulled her jeans on. Her lazy towelling off had failed to do it's task and now the kunoichi had denim sticking to her slightly damp thighs, and her purple panties were clinging to her arse. Her bra and shirt didn't fare much better.

She tugged at her clothing, relentlessly forcing the material to smooth before applying some concealer to cover her heavy eyes and pale face. Looking at herself critically, she added a little eyeliner and lip gloss too. By the time that she headed for the door, she still wasn't feeling complete. She tugged black boots on that matched her long black coat and left after almost stumbling out without her keys.

Ino was thankfully home when Sakura called, and so they spoke together as they walked over to the academy. Ino didn't seem anywhere near as bad as Sakura did. Her cheeks had a healthy pink glow and her make-up was immaculate as usual.

"You alright?" Sakura asked as Ino closed her front door.

"Yeah," She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I was feeling pretty bad yesterday but once I ran it through my head I realised that Claire is just a bitch. And I sort of talked it over with Asuma this morning - sort of rather than properly- and I think that she was just deliberately being mean. Besides, Asuma wouldn't ever do anything like that anyway, y'know?"

"Good," Sakura murmured. "I don't think any of the teachers actually would do that." She lead on but felt herself sink slightly when Ino didn't take the bait and instead opted to focus on Claire.

"That girl is just so horrible, you know? I bet that is why she transferred. We don't want her here already, so where she was before people must have gotten really sick of her and her bitchy ways. It wasn't even that it was aimed at me, because her comments reflected badly on Asuma too."

"True. Claire is just petty. She thought that she'd be better than you at the dancing as well, but you showed her up. I think she might just feel threatened by you."

"Rubbish." Ino waved her hand as if to bat away the ridiculous notion. "She thinks that she is better than me. There is a very obvious difference. Besides, did you see the way that she tried to make us stay as Ichiraku's? She wanted to cause problems for you and Kakashi as well."

"Yeah, I noticed. She actually wanted to stay so that she could watch me suffer even after I said that I hadn't known about her. Claire is just so inconsiderate, -"

"Oh, do you know who she is yet?"

"No. I haven't spoken to Kakashi today."

"Why not? Didn't you have a lesson?"

"No. We'll arrange one after the meeting."

Ino shrugged. "I suppose different teachers do things differently, but I find it really annoying that there isn't a set amount of hours per week or anything to work to; I mean we don't know if we are doing more or less than the others. Surely any teacher that is putting in more time is giving their kunoichi an advantage? Maybe you should go ask Kakashi for more lessons."

Yeah right. "I don't know. I was thinking of going to get some hospital shifts from Tsunade. Medics are useful on sed. missions in case there is anyone that needs to be saved or may have grievous injuries. If I get up to the next medical nin level while doing the kunoichi course then I should theorretically get the even higher paid missions."

Ino nodded. "And you'll be specialised in something."

Sakura frowned. "I'll still have to do the dance stuff though."

"Yes, but you'll only get those sorts of missions, because you'll be less expendable."

Would she be less expendable to Kakashi? Wouldn't she then be of more use to him once her medic skills had improved? Team 7 still took missions as a joint unit, as they always would until they came to the decision to disband. He would be more admiring once he saw her work in the field... Or at least she hoped he would. How would he behave today?

Her jaw clenched as she thought it through. It all depended on if he knew that she'd seen him with that woman. If he cared about her thoughts at all. Which he probably didn't.

"Sak!" Sakura came back from her thoughts with a yelp as Ino pulled her away from a tree on the edge of the Inuzuka territory.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Ino laughed. "What would I do if I lost my best mate to the hounds?" Which was very possible. Sakura wrinkled her nose. If the tree had touched her then so would some other... substances. And she didn't need all of the dogs in Konoha to jump her for want to claim something belonging to Kiba's mangy dogs. Sakura pushed the thought from her mind with a shudder and shrugged.

"Find a new one?"

"I wouldn't be able to find one with as big a forehead as you."

Sakura grinned but didn't comment. Her thought were still mostly on Kakashi and she only spared enough attention to get to the academy without any more mishaps. Her stomach was a jumble as it neared closer and had the sky dimmed slightly? The noise as the entered the building seemed masked over to her, barely rising in volume as she neared closer, vaguely hearing it sink through her bubble.

The door opened; Ino was walking in front and Sakura shut it softly behind her, turning to find Kakashi almost directly to the side of her instead of in his usual seat. Asuma sat beside him, an unlit cigarette between his lips. A couple of empty seats lay between them and Ino sank down quickly in the one closest to her sensei.

"Don't we usually sit at the back?"

"Yes, but the she-bitch has stolen our corner."

"Tut tut." Kakashi's voice murmured and Sakura jumped as she took her seat. "What would Kurenai do if she heard you using such language?"

"She won't hear me. She's over there, lezzing it up with Anko the Witch herself." It was true. Anko was in the corner, despite lacking a chunin companion of her own. She seemed to have gathered some recently though, as well as their leaders. The female teachers, Sakura noted wryly. All the men appeared to be steering clear of her.

Kakashi tilted his head down to the two girls, his eye happily creased. "Asuma is slightly miffed that Anko has stolen both his territory and his mate. This is typical dog behaviour."

Sakura frowned. Riiight. She didn't comment however, only watched him as the bickering continued. The time seemed to crawl, and she began to watch him intently as her mind wandered. She was almost thankful to be interrupted.

"Alright, is everyone here?" Iruka called and everyone turned to glance around them, Sakura included. She could see Ino, Akimi and Tenten, and she knew that Hinata was in Anko's corner, each with their respective partners. She knew full well that Kakashi was there, after all he kept invading her line of sight through no effort of his own. He appeared unruffled, his appearance exactly that which was usual for him. There was nothing different in his behaviour with Asuma either. Maybe he'd been seeing that woman from the start.

"Anyone missing?" He called again, checking the group when the door quietly opened and in came Claire, blonde hair ruffled and nose in the air.

"Sorry we're late," She apologised loudly, and strode over to sit at the front of the room, her sensei quickly taking a seat beside her. She kept her head high, but fidgeted under the curious stares of her classmates.

"Why sit at the front if you don't want anyone to stare?" Sakura muttered snidely.

"Yeah." Ino muttered. "She is literally asking for it. And after turning up late no less."

"How does she think she is going to be a kunoichi if she can't even be punctual?!"

"Perhaps," Kakashi drawled, eye piercing. "You two ladies ought to be more concerned about yourselves. I would have thought that those who had space to preech would have their eyes and their minds on the person speaking. Don't you?"

And then his head turned back to face Iruka, Ino and Sakura following, their cheeks aflame. Their eyes met, but neither of them dared to say a word.

And now he thinks even less of me! Sakura scowled. Who was he to talk? He always appeared to be half asleep, his posture slouched and his eyelid heavy. She had been told to concentrate by a man who fought with his nose in a book! Her eyes shifted to him, sliding over his face as she scrutinised him. Mere seconds later, he met her gaze out of the corner of his eye and nodded to the front. Further embarrassed, she complied. This episode found itself repeated a couple more times. He had to realise that something was wrong with the way that she was staring at him. She flicked her gaze to him again surreptitiously, silently begging him to notice. She wanted him to speak to her, to ask her what was wrong. She envisioned it, her eyes glazing over.

"Sakura," He murmured, turning to face her. "What's wrong? You keep staring at me."

"I-uh, I'm sorry sensei." She flushed and lifted her chin. "Who is that woman that you were with the other day at Ichiraku's?"

"Why does it matter?" He asked mockingly.

"Do you think of her when you fuck me?"

"What?"

"That woman." She enunciated carefully. "Do you think of her when you're with me?"

For a few moments that stretched for miles they stared at each other, one in shock and one in misery. Her heart was pounding inher ears and she ducked her head as tears welled in her eyes. She scrunched them shut, willing them away. Her attempts were fruitless, and a mere moment later the clear liquid was cascading down her cheeks before being scooped away by warmth.

Her eyes opened and she blinked hazily at the sight before her. Her sensei's expression was inscrutable, his breathing hitched. His arms was reached out, cupping her face in his tilted her head back and claimed her lips, gently clinging in a way that made her melt.

She hadn't noticed him take the mask off, becau-

Because it wasn't real. Obviously.

Sakura growled low in her throat and let her head hit the desk with a thud. It was bordering on ridiculous now; she was actually starting to fantasize outside of the comfort of her own home! She lifted her with a resolve to par attention... only to find her gaze met head on by her curious Sensei.

Great. Now he must think I'm a proper nutjob... Ichiraku girl is probably not crazy!

Sakura kept her eues on the front but her ears in her head until she was interrupted by the screech of chairs and the increase in chatter. Kakashi stood to her side, chair tucked in and staring at her expectantly. He didn't comment as he kept pace with her to walk out of the academy. Instead, he paused when they reached the swing a few feet away, brushing the leaves off and seating himself on top of it. A breeze blew strongly, forcing the neat pile of leaves onward, and silver tresses to whip around Kakashi's face. Sakura's eyes scrunched in response to the cool air and she wrinkled her nose to resist a sudden urge to sneeze.

"If you are more interested in this course than the last hour and a half has led me to believe, I suggest that you be on time to our lesson tomorrow." His deep voice said softly. "I shall expect you after your dance class, if you are to attend that too."

Sakura flushed with anger and opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind, only to find herself silenced by somethig in the way that he was looking at her. His eye had softened and his features, well what she could see of them, held something akin to concern. "Are you alright?" He asked her. "Is there anything distracting you?" Here's your chance! Go for it!

"No," She whispered, the words tasting like cotton in her mouth. "There's nothing bothering me." He inclined his head.

"Good. Then I shall see you tomorrow, Sakura-chan." Hearing finality in his tone, Sakura turned to leave, all the while cursing herself for not saying anything while she had the chance. He gave you the opportunity to speak. You didn't say anything because you knew that you had no right to. He is not yours. She would not let him see how much it was bothering her. It was as if he knew. He probably did, and that was why he had asked her. That was it! He was deliberately trying to provoke her, and there was no way in her that it was going to work!

She wondered aimlessly throughout the village, allowing her thoughts to come as they would. She found herself, after milling through the dwindling groups of people, close to the hospital where she had spent so much of her time training. Well, she'd been planning on getting some more medical work, hadn't she? The young kunoichi marched determindely up to the hospital, feeling a familiar warmth as she walked through the door and was greeted by heating, a hospital smell, and the welcomes of her colleagues. Shizune was manning the main desk, typing furiously. After a while, the crease between her eyes smoothed out and Sakura spoke.

"Is Shishou in?" She asked quietly, smiling at the older woman who nodded. "Yes. Third floor. It's good to see you Sakura. Are you still going to work hospital shifts, or are you wholly a field medic now?"

"Field at the moment, but I am hoping to get some hospital shifts from Tsunade..." She trailed off sweetly. "Hey, you could put me on the roster though, couldn't you Shizune?"

She laughed freely, her dark hair swinging a little from the clips that held it back. "Not you I can't! You will need to go see the Hokage on that one, and I don't want anything disturbing my patients, got that clear?"

"As clear as clear can be." Sakura didn't pass anyone else on her way up to the third floor, but she hadn't expected to. Visiting hours were over, and it was a quiet time of day for the hospital unless anyone new had been brought in. A few groups had, nothing major but taxing in number and Sakura left twenty minutes later with a schedule for the next month and a slight guilty feeling for taking advantage of Tsunade's distraction. Her first shift was set for Wednesday, and the schedule had been worked around her dance lessons. Her lessons with Kakashi would have to be worked around both, and once she had returned home Sakura pencilled in a schedule of all three to present to Kakashi the next day. She fell asleep happy, organised, and content that she had something to take her mind off of the silver haired shinobi that haunted her dreams.

Her dance lesson the next day was a mix of fear and excitement of telling Kakashi her new plans. She had been told not to fill her time, because her lessons with him were most important. But hospital work could be a part of her work with him, once she spoke with Tsunade about some specialised training that she wanted to do. If need be, Shizune could teach her; Shizune was both her weaker and her superior. While Sakura had taken less time to master more effectively some of their teacher's techniques, Shizune had a far larger range of specialised knowledge. Shizune fought to learn everything, including that which was irrelevant to her. Shizune had also seen kunoichi tortured on missions. That alone meant that she would have prepared as much medical ninjutsu as she could for the situation. She also would want to part with it. There was some knowledge that would be beneficial to be the sole holder of. This was not in that category.

She showered in the Academy after, trying to be quick enough that Kakashi would not be able to reprimand her lateness. As if he has room to talk! And so she left without drying her hair and shuddered at the feel of it wetting her shirt as it dripped down her neck and under her coat. He was waiting for her, swinging gently on the seat where he had sat the last time that they had spoken. His hands were in his pockets and his eyes were on the ground. She shivered, but she didn't care about her hair anymore. She watched him for a couple of moments before approaching him slowly with a lightness of foot that existed purely for the art of observing. He knew that she was there of course; she was the reason for his being there.

She swallowed thickly as she came up beside him, the swing level with her hip. He gave another gentle push and brushed against her before rising gracefully off of the swing, his arms not needing to reach out for balance. He nodded to her, and they began to move.

"Good lesson?" He asked quietly, and she nodded.

"Yes, very. We're very immersed in routines now." She continued. Her mind was blank and she carried on talking as if it would dissolve the tension. "The moves are easier once set in motion and sequence."

He nodded his head again, and the rest of the walk was spent in silence. They went straight to the bedroom, and Sakura gasped with wide eyes at the sight before her.

"We have here some of the 'no's and some of the 'maybe's." He idly selected a long, thin brown strip with a thick handle, and-

Oh my Kami! A whip! "And this you actually ticked yes to."

"That's a weapon!" She shrieked, sobbing down a gasp of air, her voice shrill. "Do you want to hurt me?!"

"Would you like to see your form again?" He retaliated. "I think that you have ticked a number of things that you are not prepared for." He sighed, and pulled something out from it's place underneath something rubber and threatening. "No matter. I suggest you read through and research thoroughly."

With shaking hands and wide eyes set into a pale face, Sakura watched as Kakashi swept the assorted objects into a box. When it clicked shut and was kicked under the bed, she relaxed miniscutely. He reached out for her, his hand warm against the clammy skin of her neck.

"Alright?" He asked.

She nodded dumbly, leaning into his touch. Her tongue slowly wet her lips and she leaned forward to press them precariously against his. Relief flooded her veins when he responded gently. He moved her slowly closer to him in anembrace that could only be termed a cuddle. There was nothing erotic in the way that he was holding her. That was made up for by his mouth.

As his arms tightened, his tongue claimed her, snaking in and licking torturously, entwining with her own. He elicited a faint gasp, and then a stronger moan as he gripped her tighter. He didn't overly tease with his hands anymore; they firmly found their way to her arse and her breast, quickly gripping and playing perfectly.

It was almost enough to make her forget the toys under the bed. Almost, but not quite yet.

Their clothes were gone in seconds, thrown haphazardly across the dim room. They didn't remove them seductively or flaunt their undergarments. They simply tore them off, but neither of them cared.

It was bound to be quick from the start. Quick and intense.

There were no lingering touches, only a wave of heat and the realisation that she was far too ready to be comfortable with dithering. She was allowing him to engulf her thoughts. He was taking over, slowly but surely claiming her completely. He kissed her roughly as he entered her, his lips parting from hers for only moments at a time to gasp against her shoulder or nip along her neck. He plucked at her nipples and pressed the heel of his palm against her clit, coming into contact as she rocked against him. They were sweaty, they were gasping, they were a far cry from the unsure tentative lovers of past lessons. Their movement were harsh and they came hard, panting and gutterly groaning as their faces contorted with pleasure.

He didn't move off of her as they came back down, and she welcomed the weight, inside her and around her. She was wearing a blanket that was entirely Kakashi, and wanted to protest when he moved off of her to lift the duvet over them. He came back to her before she could protest, pushing a lazy, lingering kiss against her lips while he stroked her hair. After a while, his lips slowed and his head hit the pillow.

"Six-thirty tomorrow?" He asked softly, and she began to nod, only to remember what she had been so eager to talk to him about.

"I can't. I have a hospital shift tomorrow."

"You are working at the hospital again?" He asked sharply, but Sakura in her lethargic state did not catch it. She only snuggled closer as she mumbled affirmatively.

"I have a schedule worked out," She yawned. "To fit in you, the dance lessons and the hospital. How about Thursday eight o'clock?"

Her eyes opened fully as the warmth was removed from her. Kakashi was sat up, one leg off of the bed.

"I am busy." He told her coldly. "And it is not your job to arrange these meetings. I set the time, and if you value this experience then you shall show up. Am I clear?"

"I have already fixed the times with the hospital." She resonded tightly, clutching the duvet to her naked chest. The movent drew her sensei's gaze down to her chest where it lingered scorchingly.

"You should have spoken to me. I am in charge here Sakura, and if I say that you cannot work while on this course then it is so. If it turns out that you need to, then that is arranged by me. But I am not going to arrange my schedule around your little whims. Trying to be top of the class again Sakura? You should know by now that there are things more important."

Tears began to prick hotly in the corners of her eyes, and Sakura fought to keep her lips from twisting into a pitiful grimace. "What is so important? Why don't you just look at my schedule and offer a more fitting time then?"

"There should be no schedule. And what I am doing is my own business." He told her icily, rising from the bed and shrugging into a black dressing gown. He knotted it around his waist, and turned to face her, his arms crossed.

"Are you going to see her again?"

"Sakura you are going to have to be more specific. I know a lot of women."

That was the problem, Sakura realised as the tears spilled over. He knew a lot of women. And he could have as many of them as he wanted. He probably did.

"You were at Ichiraku's with her the other day. She's pretty. Quite short, brown hair. Good figure." Sakura snapped.

"She is also none of your business." Kakashi told her calmly. He was stood tall before her, so unconcerned.

Maybe he had no reason to. But maybe he didn't care at all. Sakura glanced away from him, fidgeting and blinking rapidly before allowing the question to break loose.

"What is she to you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "That is none of your business. For now I am going to have to eight oclock. Bring your schedule, and tell the hospital that they are going to need to change it to what I decide."

Sakura opened her mouth to shout at him, only to find nothing to say. She became aware of the tears dripping into her mouth and closed it before speaking quietly, her eyes darting away from him.

"Fine." And then she picked up her clothes, dressed with muffled sobs, and left. All the while ignoring the eye that she knew was watching her.

A/N- ...SOoooo, worth that wait? :P (don't answer that!) I didn't know if people would like me to elaborate on the objects, and that part of things so I skimmed over it. There may be some hints later, or a scene at most, but that would be by demand and written by myself rather than a knock-off ofsomething else.

Best not to turn into Fifty Shades of Shit Story (Don't shoot me!)

Anyhoodle... R&R

Kashi-Cookie-Monster

xxx