Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did Kakashi would be a stripper.
Spoilers: AU. The truth has been twisted to meet my needs, as all truths should be!
Warnings: No beta

There have been many situations in Sakura's life that made her feel nervous. Some situations were more memorable than others. There was the time she visited Sasuke in the hospital and he threw her apple. There was the time she confessed her love to him. The first time she saw Naruto after Sasuke had left. Her first lesson with Tsunade. Sparing with Naruto when he returned to Konoha. Seeing Sasuke again. Telling Naruto she loved him. Trying to kill Sasuke. Her first kiss with Sai. Her first time with Sai.

Okay she had a lot of moments, but this moment she was experiencing now was new and different. She was nervous, borderline anxious, but the situation was one she was not involved in. She wasn't even the one experiencing the situation. The feeling was something new for her, and that was probably what was making her feelings all the more strong.

"Sakura you need to relax, he'll be fine." Kakashi sheepishly reached out and attempted to remove the senbon she was holding.

Frustrated with the whole thing Sakura shoved the senbon into his hands. In normal situations she would have laughed at the face he made when he saw how bent the senbon was, but this was not a normal situation.

"What if Iruka decides not to pass him? What if he does pass him, there isn't a team for him? What if he gets a team and they are awful? What if—"

Sakura was stopped by Kakashi's hand over her mouth. "He will be fine. Now will you please calm down. I don't need you stressing out Hinata."

Sakura nodded a few times and Kakashi removed him hand. They continued walking towards Naruto's house in silence. When they had come by for dinner it was decided that they would all gather and celebrate Shin's induction as a Genin. At that time Sakura had no doubts, but as the date approached she became a mess. But she knew Kakashi was right, Shin would be fine and Hinata was in a delicate state. She would be giving birth any day now, which was a month early as Sakura had predicted.

As soon as the house was in view Sakura saw Naruto standing in the front yard looking frantic. She was running before she even realized it. As soon as Naruto spotted her she began waving his arms in the air frantically.

"What happened?"

"I think she's having the baby! I didn't know what to do!"

Sakura didn't wait for more information. She ran into the house and found Hinata lying on the bed. She looked calm, but Sakura could clearly see that she sweating and uncomfortable. Sakura looked around the room and found a sheet. She drapped it over Hinata, who planted her feet on the bed and waited for Sakura to check her. After a quick check Sakura turned to Naruto and Kakashi, who just stood in the doorway, afraid to enter.

"One of you go get Tsunade or Shizune. The other, I need you to go to my room. In my closet is a black bag that has all of my medical instruments. I need it."

"Sakura-chan I don't want to leave—"

"She's not having the baby in the next five minutes!" Sakura stood in front of Naruto and pointed in the general direction of her house. "Go!"

Kakashi grabbed Naruto by his arm and lightly tugged him out of the room. This was not the first time Sakura had helped someone give birth. She knew what she was doing. Hinata trusted her and was following all directions perfectly. It was Naruto who had her concerned. She didn't need him having a full blown panic attack. That was why she asked for help.

Sakura took a sip of the sake cup in her hand as she glanced at the sky. Four hours. Hinata only took four hours to give birth. Not only did the baby arrive early, they came fast too. After checking the baby over with both Tsunade and Shizune she grabbed the liquor and went outside.

Both women came over and assisted in the birth. Tsunade observed Sakura but gave no direction. She would every now and then tell Naruto to calm down. It made Sakura feel accomplished that Tsunade congratulated her afterward. Shizune focused on Hinata and her needs.

As Sakura took another sip she saw Shin walking up the path. She smiled when she noticed he was holding his forehead protector.

"I see you passed. Congratulations. Were you placed on a team?"

"I was. I'm supposed to meet them tomorrow. One of the original members apparently passed away."

Sakura frowned at the news. She knew how difficult it could be for someone for join a new team. "That's awful. If they give you grief, just give them time to adjust. Do you know who your sensei will be?"

Shin pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Sakura. She immediately recognized the name of the team leader. She had encountered him during the war and he gave Sakura the impression of someone who had compassion and skill but was also stern. Shin would do well under him.

"You have a good sensei. He can be a bit rough, but you'll do fine."

Shin took back the paper from Sakura and turned to the house. There was a lot of commotion happening inside and Sakura could see one of Shin's eyebrows raise in curiosity.

"Hinata had her baby. Let's go inside and I'll introduce you."

Sakura gathered her cup and bottle and walked to the front door. She opened the door before realizing Shin hadn't moved from his spot. Sakura placed the items in her hands on the table inside the door and approached Shin.

"She had a baby?"

"Yes."

"What if I hurt the baby?"

"Don't be silly. Babies are delicate but I'm sure you will do just fine. I'll be there the whole time, okay?"

Sakura watched Shin nod and move towards the door. Once inside the house they made their way to the bedroom. Kakashi, Shizune, and Tsunade were in the kitchen drinking. She could tell that before the sun set Shinzune would have to drag Tsunade home. Naruto and Hinata were in the bedroom. Hinata was sitting in the bed and Naruto was walking around holding the baby. When he saw Shin he smiled.

"Shin you passed. Today is really a great day. Come here and meet Hitomi."

Naruto turned and faced Shin. Sakura had to admit, they made a beautiful baby. She was pale like Hinata and blond like Naruto. She hadn't really opened her eyes yet, so they weren't sure if she had the Byakugan. She did have a light sprinkling of freckles over her nose and cheeks that just made her appear all the more adorable.

Shin just stared at Hitomi. It was obvious he was unsure of himself, and it made Sakura smile. It was not often that Shin was out of his element, and he was most definitely out of his element with Hitomi. Sakura grabbed a nearby chair and pushed it into the back of Shin's knees, making him sit in the chair. Sakura smiled at Naruto, who was quick to pick up what she was trying to do and approached Shin. Sakura reached around and moved her arms in front of Shin.

"Just position your arms like this and make sure you support her head with your hand."

"What if I drop her?"

"You won't drop her. Don't worry."

Shin moved his arms in the same position Sakura had demonstrated and Naruto slowly placed Hitomi into them. Naruto helped Shin adjust his arms and hands so that he was supporting the baby in all the right places. During the whole process Hitomi continued to sleep.

The three adults in the room remained silent as they watched Shin ever so slowly begin to relax. It started in his shoulders and moved down his body. You could almost see his muscles relaxing one by one. By the time he reached up to touch her hair he was only aware of her and no one else.

As he slowly touched her soft blond hair Hitomi made a small sound and threw her arms above her head and stretched. When she lowered her arms she bumped into Shin's hand and grasped one of his fingers. Shin stroked her finger with his thumb. The action almost made Sakura say 'aww' out loud. As Shin continued to touch her finger Hitomi opened her eyes. Naruto was the first to react.

"Oh let me see." Naruto positioned himself behind Shin and leaned over. "Hinata her eyes look like yours, but they look more blue than purple. Do you think it'll change later?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

Hitomi started opening and closing her mouth, an action that confused Shin.

"What does that mean?"

"It means she's hungry and it also means we have to leave."

Naruto reached and took Hitomi from Shin and handed her to Hinata.

"Remember Hinata, if you need anything just let me or Shizune know."

The sun had just set when Sakura and Shin started their walk home. As predicted Shizune had to carry Tsunade out since she had celebrated just a bit too much. Kakashi left not long after that claiming he had work to do. Everyone knew it was a lie. Sakura had a suspicion on where he was really going. Curious as she was, she had to take Shin home and feed him.

Shin was quiet the whole way home. Sakura didn't expect him to talk her ear off, he never did that, but she expected questions about genin teams or babies or his sensei.

Something.

Anything.

Instead he walked straight to his room and shut the door. Sakura simply sighed and rummaged through the fridge for leftovers to heat up. As she went about setting the table Shin reappeared. He stood in the doorway looking at his hand, not saying anything. Sakura thought about speaking up until she realized that he was looking for the right words.

"She'll get bigger right?"

Sakura didn't need to ask who he was referring to. "Yes. She'll grow up fast and before you know it she'll become a genin too."

"Naruto-san and Uzumaki-san love her right?"

"Yes they do. I care about her, so did everyone else there. Once all of our friends meet her they will also care about her." Sakura paused for a moment before continuing. "Do you care about her?"

Shin looked up at her and then back down at his hands. She noticed that he was paying special attention to the finger she had taken hold of earlier.

"I feel that I need to protect her. I'm sure her parents are more than capable, but…"

"That means you care."

"I care about you, but this is different."

Sakura was taken slightly aback. Shin had never openly discussed his feelings for her. She knew he cared and she hoped he knew. She had a feeling that he may never again express his feelings for her as directly as he was doing now.

"I care about you too."

"But not in the way you do Kakashi-san?" Sakura was glad Shin was still looking down at his hand. She could feel the heat radiating off her face and chest. "I think I understand now."

Sakura smiled and waved as she watched Shin walk away from the house. Today was the first day he would be heading out on a mission with his team. When Sakura closed the door to the house she almost ran upstairs to her room. She quickly pulled out one of her small packs and started searching for her weapons and medical gear.

In the few days it took Shin to get acclimated with his team, Sakura had spoken to Tsunade and arranged for her own mission. At night Sakura would plan out her course of action and during the day she would listen as Shin complained about "girls staring at him and giggling." She hadn't told Shin she was leaving. The only person who knew was Tsuande.

Shin's mission was only supposed to last a week. Sakura knew that wasn't enough time to gather proper intel but she had no choice. She planned on visiting 'Love Spell', confirming some things and then seeing if she could get them to gather intel for her. She planned to be home the day before Shin, just in case.

"Sakura, I just don't know about this."

"Tsunade-sama, please you have to let me go. I'm getting close." Sakura watched as Tsunade ran her hands over her eyes and up to her air.

For the past several months Sakura had been leaving the village and gathering her information. She was finally able to confirm that Hawk had regrouped. They moved from place to place quickly and were difficult to track. Their movements made little sense to Sakura, until she realized it was all a ruse. By then it was too late, the old man was dead.

"I'll let you leave if you do one thing for me." Sakura nodded as she waited for Tsunade to continue. "Tell me why you are looking for them."

"They are traitors who need to be eliminated." Sakura was actually surprised at how quickly she was able to come up with a response.

"This has nothing to do with Sasuke?"

"No."

"In that case: permission denied." Tsunade reached into her drawer and started looking through the varies stamps she had.

"What, why?!"

"Do not raise your voice to me!" Sakura, not realizing she had stood up, sat back down. "You are lying to me and until you tell me the truth you can't leave."

"You realize no one forced you to leave or come back. Jiraya was free to travel around wherever he wanted. I'm trying to do something good here and you are just going to deny me?"

"You are on a death mission!"

"Urg!"

Frustrated beyond control, Sakura stood up and stormed out of the office. The further she walked away from the Hokage Tower the more she felt her feelings of anger evolve into a mixture of shame an embarrassment. The last time she had gotten into a shouting match with Tsuande was before the war. Sakura wanted to go to the frontlines but Tsuande wanted her to work triage. Sakura relented and later had to watch as Neji was brought in so that his body could be prepared for his funeral.

She wasn't sure which was worse, seeing the aftermath or seeing it happen.

Sakura pulled her feet up onto her chair and wrapped her arms around her legs. The air was cool, but not overly cold. The warmth from her legs on her chest was enough to keep her from grabbing a blanket. Her garden would soon change and all the leaves would disappear before being reborn in the Spring.

As she contemplated planting some year-round flowers Kakashi walked from behind one of the trees. She laughed to herself at the sight of him. It was as if he always knew when she was in the garden.

"So how are things, Sakura?"

He sat on one of the chairs next to Sakura. She didn't feel like sparring with him today.

"Tsuande won't let me leave."

"I know."

"And?"

"And, I think she has her reasons just like you do."

Sakura knew that Kakashi was trying to get information out of her. She signed as she thought about telling him the truth. Really it seemed silly to keep it all a secret. It wasn't even something that would send shockwaves through the village. No one would care because no one would find out. The truth was that unimportant. So why hadn't she told Tsunade? Sakura sighed as the found her answer.

Pride.

"Sakura I'm going to ask you a question and I don't want you to misinterpret my intentions with it. Do you love him?"

Sakura pulled her knees closer. She lowered her head and hid her face in her knees. She wasn't quite sure which 'him' Kakashi was referring to.

Sasuke? Shin?

She decided to go with the safe route. Lifting her head Sakura looked straight ahead. "I think as time as passed I have grown to really care for Shin. I've never had siblings or children so I don't know what that type of love feel like, but I can say with all assurance that what I feel for him is not the same type of love I've felt before. So yes, I guess you can say I love him."

"Is he the reason you want to take the extended leave?"

This time Sakura did turn to look at Kakashi. "They are dangerous. They followed Sasuke blindly and if they think Shin is Sasuke's son who knows what they will do once they have him. I think they want to finish was he started."

"The elimination of Konoha."

"They can't be allowed to continue."

Kakashi nodded and turned back to the garden. Sakura could see the gears turning in his head. Slowly Kakashi threw his head back and closed his eyes. He was lost in thought. Sakura studied his profile. The way his hair moved slightly in the breeze. The way his adam's apple moved as he swallowed. How his lips parted when he licked them.

He really was a beautiful man.

When he turned his head Sakura quickly turned and looked out at the garden. She hoped he hadn't noticed her staring.

"Why won't you tell Tsunade this?"

"I suppose I want her to trust me. No one questioned Jiraya when he would come and go as he pleased. I shouldn't have to ask for permission. I shouldn't have to go to her and tell her why these people need to be eliminated."

"She's worried you'll leave and not come back for several years. Again."

"I can't do that. I have Shin."

Sakura could see Kakashi tilt his head slightly. She turned just in time to see a smile spread on his face.

"Did I say something funny?"

"No, you said what I wanted to hear."

"What does that mean?"

"She asked to me to come by and talk to you. I was tasked with either approving your leave and any restrictions I deem necessary."

"Restrictions?" Sakura could feel herself getting angry at the word. She never had restrictions before.

"Yes restrictions if I think they are necessary." Sakura opened her mouth to protest but Kakashi raised his hand silencing her. "I'm going to approve your leave and for the time being I will be traveling with you to assess the situation."

Sakura surprised not only herself, but Kakashi as well, when she jumped up from her seat.

"What do you mean to assess the situation!? Do you think I'm too weak to take them on myself, or that I am incapable of gathering intel!?"

As she stared at Kakashi and waited for him to say something she felt, more than saw, the look. It started at her feet and slowly the heat radiated up. Past her thighs, her hips and waist. The heat paused for a small moment at her chest before reaching her face. The heat in Kakashi's face vanished as soon as she memorized it.

"Yes, assess the situation. Is that a problem?"

"No. Not at all."

"Well I'm glad. Keep me posted on when you plan to leave."

Sakura felt the words reach her tongue but she kept her lips closed. Kakashi must have noticed because he paused as he stood from his seat. When Sakura said nothing he simply walked back through her garden the same way he walked in.

Sakura swore he changed the way he was walking because she almost spoke the same words as before.

Let's leave now.

Several months had passed since Shin first joined his team. It had been weeks since he had taken a mission longer than a week, much to the frustration of Sakura. But now that the Chunnin exams were in a few months away it appeared that her chance to finally leave and conduct some real intel was coming. Shin had mentioned that his Sensei wanted to take on a C rank mission, which would require them to be gone for a month. As soon as she heard the news she spent all day looking for Kakashi.

She finally found him leaving Naruto's house. Since the birth of Hitomi Sakura had noticed a change in Kakashi. When they walked through the village together he would point out things that he thought Naruto or Hitomi might like. It had gotten so bad at one point that Naruto made a comment about Kakashi being that Grandpa that would spoil kids.

Kakashi didn't correct him.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." Sakura took a moment to catch her breath before keeping pace with Kakashi.

"Obviously not everywhere."

Sakura decided to ignore the comment. "Shin is going on a month long mission. It's the perfect time to go out and gather some intel."

"I take it then you want to leave immediately."

Sakura felt more than heard what Kakashi was implying. Anyone overhearing their conversation would not pick up on it, but Sakura knew better.

"Shin leaves tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow afternoon then. I hope all your contacts are open to me being there."

"Oh I'm sure they will be more than accommodating."

Kakashi nodded and turned down a street that led to his apartment. Sakura once again noticed that his walk was different. She also noticed that somehow their conversation about intel had somehow turned a double entendre.

My precious readers I beg forgiveness. This just got so crazy in my life. It was hard to find the time to sit down and write. It seems that with time I come up with new paths, plot points, and ideas for my characters. It can really drive a person crazy.

Anyway, I really hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I'm thinking of quickening the pace and throwing in another time jump. No need to draw things out. Especially when I can get to the yummy, juicy plot points I've been planning and imagining from the beginning.