A few weeks later-

Kakashi sat under the darkening sky as clouds moved in overhead. The air was getting that crisp rain scent that he enjoyed so much. But there wasn't much time to enjoy it for now as the bell rung signaling that class was over. Standing he moved to meet Sakura outside the hall that she was in. With his hands in his pockets he hummed a little tune to himself seeing students starting to exit the building. She was always easy to spot with her bright pink hair so Kakashi waved as soon as he saw her appear. Sakura weaved through the crowds quickly feeling very uncomfortable around so many people before huddling up against his side thankful to be next to the only man she now trusted.

"How was class?" he asked acting like nothing was wrong. He found that Sakura liked how he treated her normally rather than some broken person.

"Fine. I got my last test back. I got an 89. Not bad but I made a couple silly errors." Sakura told him as they started walking together to the library.

"I am sure you won't let that happen again."

"Of course not I-" Sakura was halted mid-sentence as… it or she… arrived.

This person that had arrived wasn't an unfamiliar face. In fact she had become all too familiar. Kakashi told Sakura they met at the party and he had tried to help because she was heavily intoxicated but had disappeared before he could be of any help. When Asuna had found them on campus one day she simply stuck around.

At first they got along. In fact Sakura and Asuna had become friends. Sakura had been tentative at first but trust had come slowly. But that had changed recently. Asuna had become intensely flirtatious with Kakashi. She would hang on him, play with his hair, she would kiss him on the cheek, or try to sit on his lap. Of course, Kakashi never paid any mind to it. He wasn't really interested in the girl. For him she was just kind of… there. That was another thing that bothered Sakura. Kakashi didn't do anything to stop her. It sometimes even came across as him enjoying what Asuna was doing. Naturally though, Sakura kept all of this bottled up inside. There was no reason for her to discuss something as private as that. It was their business not hers.

"KAKASHI!" Asuna called out overly excited to see him. "Where are you two headed?"

"Library." Sakura responded the inflection in her voice making it sound like Asuna was unwelcomed.

"OH! I'll join you then. I need to get some studying done as well." the new girl beamed eyelashes fluttering at Kakashi in a flirtatious way.

Neither of the two responded.

The three arrived at the library and began to set up their books amongst other study materials. Sakura intentionally took the seat next to Kakashi so that Asuna couldn't. It would only distract all of them as she would constantly be up against him. Instead Asuna took the seat across from him. Kakashi already had his head buried in his book. This gave Asuna a chance to shoot a menacing glare that only Sakura could see. That was it… that established their permanent hostility to each other. It confirmed for Sakura that Asuna's eyes were set on making Kakashi hers. This thought made her shudder. She couldn't let that happen.

'Kakashi is mine…' Sakura thought gazing down at her book but had to shake her head, 'Well not mine mine… but I will be his focus.' Unfortunately her mind was definitely not on studying now as she had plans flowing through her mind to get rid of the witch.

An hour passed in relative silence besides the shifting of paper and people adjusting themselves in their seats. The world seem to have slowed during the hour but was brought back to a regular pace as Kakashi stood. "I'll be right back."

Both girls looked up curiously but it was Asuna who spoke up first, "Where are you going? Can I come with?"

Kakashi huffed, "The bathroom so that would be a no."

"Doesn't mean I can't tag along…" She retorted playfully making Kakashi shake his head as he walked off and Sakura blush in half embarrassment and half anger. Making sure Kakashi was out of earshot Asuna spoke again, "I'm going to make you irrelevant."

"Excuse me?" Sakura hissed perplexed at how straightforward Asuna was being.

"I'm going to steal him from you." She clarified with a devious smile, "He will forget all about you."

For some reason this shook Sakura more than she liked, "I won't let you…"

"Oh and you're going to stop me? From what I know you are now just a tainted piece of meat. How could ever care about you."

Sakura was going to respond but found herself lacking the words. She wasn't wrong. Sakura was damaged. She was afraid of being left alone in large crowds, she would cry herself to sleep at night and wake up shaken from nightmares. But still, Sakura knew she had to be strong. There was no way she could allow such a foul person try to take Kakashi from her. He was too important. "Not if I have anything to say about it." she glared in defiance.

"Oh poor Sakura, you've lost before we have even began."

Sakura was going to reply but Kakashi returned announcing himself, "Chatting are we? I thought you were supposed to be doing homework?" He playfully chastised.

Asuna laughed a little too over enthusiastically to this and was shushed by some nearby students while Sakura had merely returned to her notes. Kakashi looked a little confused by Asuna's laugh but shrugged it off as he returned to his book. Not much later did he nearly jump out of his chair as Asuna rubbed her foot against the inside of his leg and in turn making Sakura jump as well.

"Asuna… you know our touching rule." Kakashi sighed as he sat back down.

"Only where and when it's appropriate." She giggled trying to act cute.

"Umm no… Sakura care to enlighten her."

"Gladly, the rule is never." She sneered eyes shooting daggers at Asuna who glared back.

"That is correct!" Kakashi nodded as he turned the page of his book.

Asuna pouted as she turned down to her work again. Sakura kept her head down with a triumphant smile on her face. Another half hour passed with only the scratching of pens on paper. But as the clock dinged marking that the time was now six in the afternoon Sakura leaned back in her chair stretching and yawning.

"Done?" Kakashi asked looking up.

Sakura nodded and was about to speak but was cut off by Asuna, "Me too!" she exclaimed starting to pack up her stuff.

"What are you going to cook for dinner for me Kakashi?" Sakura asked almost rubbing in the fact that they were going home together in Asuna's face.

"Whatever you want." He shrugged standing up with Sakura as she finished packing. "I guess we will see you later Asuna." Kakashi waved turning to leave.

Darting around Asuna came up to him getting on her tip toes and aimed a kiss at his lips only to catch just his cheek, "Okay Kakashi-kun!" she chimed before walking away with an exaggerated sway to her hips hoping he would watch.

"Bleh~" Sakura scoffed only to feel her face heat up in anger as Kakashi did indeed look, "You're a pervert."

"Sakura you hurt me." He pouted playfully not knowing she meant it this time.

Not waiting for him she walked off feeling annoyed and upset that she could capture his sight like that. He had her to look at after all, not that she wanted him to look. Or did she? Shaking her head she sped up her pace as Kakashi tried to keep up with her. "Let's just go home."

"Sakura?" he asked slightly concerned he had done something wrong.

She didn't respond as her mind was whirling with scattered thoughts. Their ride home was silent as she stared absent mindedly out the window. Kakashi thought he should say something but decided against it as he knew sometimes someone just needed their space. Sakura on the other hand wanted him to say something. She wanted him to reassure her everything would be okay, that he would never disregard her, or stop caring. She couldn't fault him for not speaking as he didn't know the conversation that took place while he was away but nevertheless wanted him to assure her.

Pulling up to the house they were greeted with giddy barking from the dogs. This made Sakura perk up a little as she walked in with them greeting her with waging tails and hyper yips. "There's my good boys did you miss us?" she asked sweetly as Kakashi closed the door behind them.

"So what did you want for dinner?" he asked feeling it was safe to talk now.

"Rice with teriyaki chicken and mix vegetables." She replied giving it little thought.

"Sounds good to me." Kakashi nodded walking to the kitchen.

Sakura stayed and petted the pups a little longer before they followed her up to her room as she changed into some comfier clothes. Pakkun headed off first at the scent of food cooking down stairs. Shiba however was sprawled out on the floor playing with one of the straps of her purse. Sakura couldn't help but sit next to him and started rubbing his belly.

"He won't forget me right?" She muttered to Shiba her hand faltering. Shiba barked at her, "You're right… of course he won't." Sakura tried to reassure herself resuming petting Shiba.

"Everything okay Forehead?" Ino asked. She had just come out of her room as the smell of food had woken her from her nap.

Sakura jumped looking up at Ino in the doorway, "Oh… um yea. Fine."

"You never were a good liar you know that." Ino walked in sitting next to Sakura as they both now showered Shiba with pampered petting. "What's wrong? If Kakashi did something tell me."

"No he didn't do anything." Sakura struggled to admit her problem. "It's just… Asuna." She muttered looking away.

Ino looked confused, "What do you mean?"

"She said things… they bothered me a lot. She said she was going to steal Kakashi from me. She called me tainted meat. The sad thing is… I don't think she is wrong."

Sighing the blond stopped petting Shiba looking to Sakura directly, "I am not going to pretend I know what you went through and I already made the mistake of thinking it isn't that big of a deal so I just want to remind you that it wasn't me that helped you get through. It wasn't me that made you feel safe. It wasn't me that did everything I could to make sure you didn't actually come to physical harm. Kakashi did that. As for being tainted I don't believe it. She is just trying to get in your head. I am positive Kakashi doesn't think you are tainted either. And I know you won't admit it but they bothered you a lot because Kakashi is actually a decent guy and he's done things for you that not many would and you may not see it yet but you like him."

Sakura blushed a little, "That's ridiculous." But somewhere in her chest she knew it was true.

"No Forehead… you are ridiculous. Besides you are the one worrying about him being stolen from you." Ino teased.

"Damn Pig…" Sakura muttered making Ino laugh.

"Dinner time!" Kakashi called from down stairs. At the sound of his voice Shiba bolted down leaving the girls to look at each other.

"Don't worry Sakura… I know you will be the one to win his heart." She winked quickly getting up and dogging the swing she knew was coming.

"Get back here and let me hit you!" Sakura growled feeling heat coat her cheeks from her bright blush.

Ino however stayed just out of reach until they got to the dinner table downstairs. Kakashi saw how much happier Sakura looked and felt relieved. He hated seeing her so upset. Although the wink that Ino sent him as they came down unnerved him. The blush on Sakura's face only made it worse.

They ate together with the dogs begging around their feet getting little treats from each one of them. Kakashi enjoyed the time they spent like this. It made him feel included and welcomed unlike any time before he had taken this job. His eyes flicked to Sakura his heart fluttering a little at the smile on her face. Mentally shaking himself Kakashi reminded himself nothing could ever happen between lowly him and her. But as long as she was happy he was content with his position.

Sakura stole a glance at Kakashi trying to see if he was looking at her. When her eyes caught his darting away she smiled to herself. Maybe she was worrying too much.

-Author's Note-

Sorry sorry sorry! I know I have been a but and haven't posted much to my stories but I promise I am really trying to get back into writing so you will see more updates to them all! Thank you so much for reading and let me know what you think!

- AUTHOR'S NOTE-

Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know I'm horrible but I hope you enjoy the new chapter! I finally found my creative writing flow again so you should see a lot more coming out for all my current works. Also this is updated, I do apologize for the text issue. I have no idea how that happened but my best guess is the text didn't transfer over well between Microsoft Word and the fanfiction website so I had to put it on my google docs first then transfer. Any who, see in the reviews or the next chapter!