Kakashi scratched his head and wondered what else he should pack.

"You can never have enough underwear," he said sagely, squeezing in a few more boxers. He was due at the Main Gate to leave on an extended mission—and he had yet to finish packing. As he tightened the straps of his oversized backpack, he sensed a familiar chakra coming closer to his door.

I know what he wants to talk about, he thought with a giggle as he flipped open a side pocket and slipped in all three volumes of Icha Icha.

Kakashi shuffled around his apartment, grabbing clothes and weapons while waiting for Sasuke to knock. After five full minutes of sensing his student on the threshold, he started to become concerned. What could be delaying him? Kakashi took two steps down the hall before realizing that Sasuke would balk if he hurried him—best to be patient.

He cracked open a new pack of shuriken and began filling his holster when the knock finally came.

Kakashi sighed with relief. "Come in."

He poked his head down the hall and saw Sasuke frozen in the doorway, his hand still gripping the knob as if deciding whether or not to come all the way in.

"Sasuke. Nice to see you," he said, crinkling his eye with a friendly smile. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Sasuke mumbled, his gaze never lifting from the floor.

"What was that? I didn't quite get it," Kakashi said, despite having heard every word—his shinobi senses picked up the quietest sound. He just wanted to make his tightly-laced student say it out loud.

"I said, I need some advice."

Kakashi was overjoyed—it was a big step for Sasuke to admit he needed help. It was an even bigger step for Sasuke to admit he had feelings for Sakura. He would need to handle this delicately—but Kakashi was an expert. Icha Icha taught him all he needed to know about matters of the heart.

"Sit down. Tell me all about it."

Sasuke moved slowly and sat down tentatively, as if he might spring up and run away at any second. Kakashi was careful not to make any quick movements—Sasuke was as nervous as a cornered rabbit. After a few moments of complete silence, he looked at the clock and figured he'd better give his student a push in the right direction.

"So…you need my help?"

Sasuke began haltingly. "It's just that…we've been through a lot together."

"Yes, you have. A lifetime's worth," Kakashi agreed. Sasuke and Sakura had known each other since childhood and their path together was sometimes rocky.

"And I know not all of it's been good," he said as a cloud passed over his face.

"No, it hasn't." He thought of his two students' encounter in the Land of Iron. Watching them studiously avoid each other after Sasuke came home was painful. Kakashi knew it would only take one mission together for them to work out all their difficulties and move on. He was glad to see that Tsunade agreed with his opinion when she put together the Itachi Retrieval Team.

"But…" Sasuke lifted his face for the first time. "I want it to be good again. I know it can be. I know we can get back what we had."

Kakashi beamed and clapped Sasuke on the shoulder. "Of course you can."

"Our past hasn't been great, but I know we could move forward…make a better future together."

Visions of adorable, black-haired, green-eyed children swam in Kakashi's mind, making him woozy with glee. "Together," he said, slightly unsteady—there would be a wedding in Team Seven's future! He glowed with fatherly pride. "I'm so proud that you're finally acknowledging this." Sasuke smirked and nodded. "So, if you know what you want, what's the trouble?"

"I just…I don't know where to begin. I'm not sure what to do or say."

Rubbing his hands together, Kakashi said, "Well, you've come to the right place. First of all, you've got to time your approach. Knowing when to ask important questions like the one you've got to ask is imperative. Also, you might want to start with a gift—chocolates or something like that."

Sasuke's face pinched in confusion, but he nodded. "Dango was always a favorite."

"Great! So, get some dango then begin your approach. Pick the right setting, too. A nice restaurant or a flowery hilltop."

"I think the hospital is my only option."

"The hospital? Really?" Kakashi was disappointed in his favorite student—had he not taught him better than this? "Is that the most romantic place you can think of, Sasuke?"

"Romantic?"

"Of course! If you're going to ask Sakura to be your girlfriend, you've got to make it memorable."

Sasuke's eyes went wide and his mouth opened and closed several times before he finally blurted out, "You…you think I came to talk about Sakura?"

"Certainly. You didn't come here to ask about some other girl, I know that." Kakashi's expression grew puzzled as he watched Sasuke pinch the bridge of his nose and shake his head.

"I came here to talk about Itachi."

Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place and Kakashi realized his blunder. Scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, he grinned, saying, "Well, umm, okay. How to talk to your brother..." Gathering himself, he put on his best wise sensei face. "Sasuke, you don't need a guidebook on how to have this conversation. Yes, it's going to be painful—for both of you—but it's something that needs to be discussed in order for the two of you to become brothers again."

Sasuke seemed to brighten at that sentiment. "Just be honest. Don't dwell on the hurt. Find a way past it." Kakashi smiled, thinking how far his student had come. "I know you can do it, Sasuke. You always were my favorite student…just don't tell Sakura I told you that."

Kakashi glanced at the clock and stood, pulling his backpack over a shoulder. "Speaking of Sakura," he said, noting how Sasuke ducked to hide his face at the mention of her name. "You haven't been treating your teammate very well." Sasuke's head sank lower. "She's been working day and night to keep your brother healthy—for your sake. I think you owe her an apology for your recent behavior." His voice was stern, but then he broke out a suggestive smile. "Or even better…a date."

Kakashi chuckled at Sasuke's shocked expression as he opened his door and ushered his stunned student out. Falling into step, he said, "I should be back in a month. Remember what I said. Be honest and keep your precious people close." He smirked before he took off. "And the girl you love closest."

Sakura hesitantly poked her toe into the shower and deemed it warm enough to get in. She ducked her head under the spray—it was warm enough not to give her goose bumps, but cold enough to keep her awake.

What was I thinking, offering to work both twelve-hour shifts?

She knew perfectly well what she was thinking, though. She was thinking that Shizune was called in to clean up after her too many times recently—she owed her senpai a few big favors and she'd sooner pay her back in hospital work than babysitting. Sakura was relieved when Tsunade came to talk to Itachi this morning—it gave her at least an hour to shower, change, and grab some lunch before her next shift started.

She sighed and scrubbed her scalp, her hair foaming. This past week was a real mess. Sakura felt hollow—like someone emptied her out and forgot to put anything back. Her head was the only part of her that was full—too full. It felt ready to explode, thoughts swarming and buzzing, leaving little room for rationality. She was so preoccupied that her lathered hands were moving over her body before she even realized she'd touched the soap.

Sakura shook her head hard, flinging water droplets off her hair. She needed to think clearly, but it was so hard when she felt ready to burst into tears at any moment. Every time Sakura began to connect logical thoughts, visions of Sasuke running his hands over Karin would smash her composure to pieces.

She was frustrated with herself—how many times would she need to shake these thoughts away and take calming breaths before she was able to handle this? And she needed to handle it. After all, in just nine short months, Sasuke would be walking around the village with a red-haired baby in his arms. She methodically inhaled and exhaled against the pang in her chest as she tried to push the thought away. She was relieved when she was able to calm herself successfully. When she looked in her hand, however, she'd squeezed the soap so hard, she'd reduced it to slivers.

Sakura twisted off the shower and soon found herself dried and dressed for work—she'd been too lost in her crowded thoughts to remember doing any of it. She had her house keys in one hand and two bento tied up in cloth in the other. When had she prepared those? And why two? With burning eyes, she realized she'd hoped Sasuke would stop by the hospital again.

"Sakura, you mean something to Sasuke."

Shizune's words echoed in her head. Did she mean something to Sasuke? She scoffed, knowing that she certainly didn't mean as much to him as he did to her. Gripping the wrapped bento in her hand, she rattled her head back and forth, hoping to shake out some of the clouds. She'd need her wits to care for Itachi. Sakura squeezed her eyes shut tightly—visions of Karin's hands dancing over Sasuke's skin as she moaned his name filled her buzzing head.

Angry at her weakness, she tossed the bento and cursed when they bowled over half the items on her countertop. She picked up a spilled utensil jar and jammed an assortment of spoons and spatulas back in. Righting a frame, Sakura paused when she caught a glimpse of the colorful jumble that was the young Team Seven.

She ran a finger over Sasuke, recalling a mission around her thirteenth birthday in Hot Springs Country. The daimyo's daughter had eyes for Sasuke—she huffed a watery chuckle, thinking every girl they'd met had eyes for Sasuke. She'd cornered Sakura with samurai from her personal guard and demanded to know if she was Sasuke's girlfriend. When Sasuke appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of her, protecting her, Sakura's heart soared—but it was soon crushed when he said Sakura was his friend.

His friend.

Her heart thumped at the thought. Sasuke considered her a friend. Just remembering the word coming from his mouth made her body hum with life. She did mean something to him. Of course, what she'd wanted him to say then—and now, a voice in her head whispered—was that she was his girlfriend, that he loved her desperately. But Sakura knew Sasuke's heart didn't admit many people and she felt pride knowing she was one of the elite few. Sakura was Sasuke's friend.

Friends cared for each other—Sasuke was precious to her.

Friends wanted the best for each other—Sakura certainly wanted him to be content.

Friends put each other's happiness before their own. She hung her head—this was an item she could not check off her list.

That would change. Now.

A goal—Sakura felt resolve solidify in her, giving her strength. No matter what else happened, she and Sasuke were friends—they would always be friends. She needed to reset her priorities and put her friend's happiness first.

She couldn't deny the love she still had for him, but Sasuke made his choice and Sakura needed to make hers. The wound she had was fresh and painful, but she told herself that time would ease her pain—eventually, she'd be able to look at Sasuke and Karin without an ache in her heart.

Again, a vision of Sasuke with a redheaded baby in his arms soured her stomach, but she felt slightly more capable of pushing it down. She would not let her feelings get in the way of Sasuke's happiness. She would find him and apologize for her outburst after their spar. Picking up the cloth-wrapped bento, Sakura thought she might even invite him to lunch.

"Or even better…ask her on a date."

Despite the brisk autumn air, Sasuke's face felt uncomfortably hot as he remembered Kakashi's words.

At the center of town, he stopped and ran his eyes carefully over each shop, stall, and street that branched off the hub of the market district, hoping to catch a glimpse of elusive pink.

Nothing.

He turned down the first road on his right, figuring to search methodically. An empty feeling in his stomach pushed him to find her. Sasuke knew Kakashi was right. He'd taken Sakura's giving nature for granted. That would change. Now.

"Keep your precious people close—and the girl you love closest."

He pushed his fists deeper into his pants pockets and lengthened his stride, trying to ignore the buzzing in his chest.

Walking through the streets felt strange. Things had changed so much since the last time he walked through the Leaf. That brunette with the pink bouquet had opened up deep wells of guilt and self-loathing—he was sure what he'd done to Sakura was unforgivable. But she forgave me so easily, so quickly, he thought as his lips quirked up. Sasuke could've kicked himself for all the time he'd wasted not talking to her—he should've known Sakura wasn't one to hold a grudge. He should've known…

"The things that make her our Sakura-chan—those things haven't changed at all."

Sasuke smirked thinking of the Sakura he'd come to know during their mission together. Her confident stride, her skill in battle, as well as her powerful healing ability—which she was using right now to help Itachi—these things were so different from the things that made up the girl he'd left in Konoha. But his brother's life was precious to him and Sakura understood that. The buzzing in his chest increased as he thought that she understood so much without him having to say a word—just like the young girl who cornered him as he left through the Main Gate that fateful night so long ago.

Thinking of Sakura in the hospital with Itachi brought to mind their ramen dinner in her office. Sasuke's smirk lifted into a smile as he thought of how easily she'd blushed that night. He couldn't help the breathy chuckle that escaped him when he remembered her contagious laughter. The memory of her hands in his as he consoled her created a strange stirring beneath his ribs and his mind wandered—what would it be like to hold one of those hands now as he walked through the market? Would she smile and blush if he tugged her into his favorite sushi restaurant? Would she laugh in that contagious way if he told her he was taking her on a date? A searing heat and a shivering cold battled across Sasuke's body until they settled into an airy contentment.

She walked briskly, her head swiveling back and forth. There was nothing to see but bushes, fences, and kids at play—Sakura was taking the long way to the hospital through Konoha's residential section. She told herself she was looking for Sasuke, but a voice in her head said she'd never find him here. Sakura chose not to listen.

She made a quick right onto the main road, directly across from the Academy. She flicked her head left and right and was startled to see a familiar gray haystack coming her way.

"Hey! Kakashi-sensei!"

He pulled his nose from the gutter of his orange-bound book and lifted his hand in greeting. "Sakura. Just the person I was hoping to see."

"Why, Sensei—I'm honored."

He smirked as he got closer. "Walk with me to the Gate? I'm running late."

She matched his stride and giggled. "You? Late? What a surprise."

"Off to the hospital?"

"Yeah, you know me. Work, work, work!" she said as she shook her sack of bento in mock-exasperation.

"Hmmm…work, huh? Plan on being there for a few days?" he said, gesturing with his chin toward the two boxed lunches.

Remembering that one lunch was made for Sasuke caused Sakura to flush a bright pink. "Uh, no…I was…just—"

"Have you seen Sasuke today?" he asked, abruptly cutting off her stammering.

"No!" she said louder and faster than she meant to. "I haven't. Not yet. I mean, I was looking for him, but…" She trailed off, completely flustered—Kakashi's smirk told her that he knew why.

When he tucked his book into his pouch, Sakura's eyes went wide—he only did that when he had something important to say. A wisp of nerves tingled in her stomach.

"Sakura, you know Sasuke better than any of us." She shook her head, about to launch into a denial when Kakashi raised a hand to stop her. "You know what he's going through right now. His brother coming home has…well, he needs his friends now more than ever." He stopped and looked her in the eye. "Sakura, he needs you close. Be there for him."

Pain cut her unexpectedly deep and she barked, "He's already got someone to keep close." She looked at her toes and murmured, "He doesn't need me."

Kakashi was silent for several seconds. "You know there's nobody—"

"Karin. He's with Karin." That hurt to say—Sakura's throat began to constrict.

"I don't know what you heard, or what she told you, but I know that—"

"Sensei, she's pregnant." Kakashi was silent as she let go a shuddering breath. "I did the exam myself. She said she couldn't wait to tell him. She knew he'd be pleased."

Saying it out loud to someone else twisted Sakura's stomach into a big, squirming knot. Now, it was true. Now, she couldn't run from it.

Kakashi landed a big hand on her shoulder and she looked up. When she saw his brows shift into a sympathetic expression, she felt her lip tremble. Sakura struggled not to cry as he pulled her into an embrace—Not here, she thought, where everyone can see.

Her sensei squeezed her shoulders tightly with one arm as he whispered in her ear, "Remember what I taught you, Sakura—look underneath the underneath." He squeezed her again and let go. She exhaled, nodded and Kakashi ruffled her hair. "I'll be back in a month. Don't forget what I said."

She watched him pass through Konoha's Main Gate then take to the trees. "Look underneath the underneath," she mumbled dejectedly. "How is that supposed to help?"

Hoping for an uneventful walk to the hospital, Sakura dimmed her chakra—she didn't want to run into Ino or worse, Naruto, and all that happy bluster. She just couldn't fake a smile right now.

Two blocks from her destination, she saw him—Sasuke's pitch-black hair rippled and floated around his face. His eyes were narrowed as if searching for something.

I should've known better than to hope, she thought bitterly.

"Sakura, you mean something to him."

"He needs you close."

The weight of the bento in her hand reminded her of her vow to put Sasuke's happiness before her own. They were friends, she thought with gritted teeth. She steeled herself and raised a hand to wave.

"Sas—"

Karin was fairly skipping through the streets. She'd played the role of blissfully happy, pregnant girlfriend perfectly. The look of absolute misery on Sakura's face made every second she spent honing that chakra manipulation technique worthwhile. As long as Karin managed to keep Sakura away from Sasuke, she'd never find out the truth that she and Sasuke had never… Karin grimaced for a moment, but brightened when she smelled something delicious—she would not let minor details bring her good mood down.

She smiled brilliantly at the man who sold her sticks of torikawa. Crunching on the crispy chicken skin, she thought that the sky looked especially blue over the Leaf village today—she might just take Move out of Konoha off her to-do list.

The cool swirl of Sasuke's chakra made Karin pick up her pace—he was nearby. When she was close enough to see him in the distance, she caught the faint scent of Sakura's brisk chakra. She saw her stop in her tracks—clearly she'd seen Sasuke as well, but why was her chakra so faint if she was so close?

Karin deduced that Sakura was concealing her chakra—but why? Was she hoping to sneak up on Sasuke? Maybe cover his eyes for a flirty game of Guess Who? Not to be outdone, Karin sprinted toward Sasuke, her chakra completely masked. She grinned—she was closer, she'd get there first. Elated, she threw out her arms to encircle his neck.

Sasuke's name caught in Sakura's throat as a red blur raced toward him. When she saw Karin reach out for him—her arms about to wrap him in an embrace—she exploded. All command of her energy was lost in that moment and her chakra spiked hard.

Sasuke closed his eyes as he felt the warmth of Sakura's chakra surge behind him. He was enveloped in that airy contentment that came with her presence. His skin prickled when her arm slid around his neck.

Karin's hand brushed against Sasuke's bristly spikes and she shivered with excitement. The eruption of Sakura's chakra sent a thrill through her. She'd won! She'd gotten to Sasuke first!

Sakura.

Wings were flapping wildly in his ribcage as Sasuke skimmed both hands across Sakura's back, pulling her tightly against him. She jerked him around so quickly and forcefully that he snapped his eyes open in surprise.

Astonishment dropped on Karin like a bomb as Sasuke's hands ran up her back. Desire quickly overtook shock, though, as he pressed her body flush against his. Her eyelids drooped as she sighed, but she never lost sight of the hurt, anger, and despair that passed over Sakura's face.

She grabbed Sasuke's shoulder and spun him around so that he would not see his teammate—he'd never know how she felt.

Triumphant, Karin lifted her eyes to meet Sakura's and she smiled.

Sakura always thought she had a vivid imagination—overactive at times—but she knew now that the reality of Sasuke with Karin was so much worse than she ever could've dreamed.

Karin wrapped around Sasuke was not a new sight. Sasuke returning that embrace was, though.

And it hurt.

It hurt more than anything she'd ever felt in her entire career as a shinobi. The pain radiated through her whole body and echoed back with renewed agony as Karin's red eyes met her own. Her look of bliss and euphoric smile sent Sakura into a downward spiral.

It hurt so much.

RUN! her body screamed at her. RUN!

Sakura's muscles took over and she sprinted for the safe haven of the hospital, the two bento left in the dust.

Realization took seconds. The deep red fringe that obscured Sasuke's vision was like a bucket of ice water that ripped him from his daydream. He took a step back and untangled her hands from around his neck.

I should've known better than to hope, he thought bitterly.

A dark heaviness descended on him. Sasuke shoved his hands deep in his pockets and shuffled away.

Karin was vaguely aware that her ecstasy was due more to watching Sakura sprint away than it was to being held by Sasuke, but she didn't have long to contemplate that as his hands reached up to peel hers from his neck.

For a second, she was torn—should she stay and watch Sakura depart in agony or pursue Sasuke?

"SASUKE-KUUUUN!"

He didn't even flinch as she bellowed his name through cupped hands. When she called again and he didn't stop, Karin figured she'd just have to chase him—she giggled at the thought of him playfully hiding from her.

What a flirt, she thought gleefully.

Karin danced down the street after him and quickly made up ground on the sauntering Uchiha. Just as she leaped to tackle him in a hug, Sasuke jumped onto a rooftop—and Karin found herself face down in the dirt.

"Sasuke-kuuun!" she groaned as she reseated her glasses and brushed the dust from her jacket. She might've missed him this time, but Karin knew from Sakura's expression that her plan was working.

Soon Sasuke would have nowhere else to go—no one to turn to but her.

Thank you, Paige, for making this chapter so squeaky clean, you can see your reflection in it. Okay, that was lame, but...here's a cookie! Hee, hee...

Holy cow, chapter eleven? Who woulda thought we'd make it to chapter eleven? Not me, that's for sure. So much of the joy I get in writing comes from everyone who writes to me. I open your reviews like a kid at Christmas! Thank you so much!