Teachers and their Pets

Chapter 21

"Am I absolutely crazy?"

"No."

In actuality, Kakashi wasn't quite sure whether he'd just given the correct answer. After blinking at each other for a few moments, eventually both Asuma and he had come clean and now the pair of them were situated in a grotty little bar near Kakashi's place. An establishment Kakashi had had no urge to visit beforehand. Asuma had insisted however. The bearded man wanted to talk both his relationship with Ino and Kakashi's relationship with Sakura over, and apparently he was not willing to do that in public, despite the fact that Ino's parents already knew.

Now, Asuma took a quick glug of his beer before shaking his head, glancing down at his hands as he did so. "I'm not sure that's true," he returned. "I mean…I'm in love with my former student. That's not normal, is it?"

"I'm not so sure anymore," Kakashi returned, feeling a slight beat of amusement. "I mean, I'm in love with my former student too."

"Yeah, about that," Asuma leant forward. "How did it, you know, happen?"

Kakashi shrugged, suddenly feeling embarrassed. The Copy Ninja wasn't known for telling all about his romantic exploits, but when it came to Sakura, the emotions still felt particularly raw. He hadn't been this vulnerable with someone since, well…forever. Still, Asuma wasn't asking how he felt about her; he just wanted to know whether Kakashi was in as crazy a situation as himself. Asuma was freaking out, Kakashi could tell.

"I think it probably had something to do with Ino, actually." The silver haired man mused.

Asuma grunted and fiddled with his bracelet. "Yeah, wouldn't put it past her…"

The pair were silent for a moment and then Kakashi placed his head in his hand, his elbow on the table.

"So you really care about her, huh?"

Asuma went red immediately. He coughed once or twice, but couldn't deny the statement.

"Uh, um, yeah," he concurred, then he glanced at his friend. "And you really care about Sakura?"

"Yes." Kakashi replied.

"Uh…" Whatever Asuma was going to say next, he seemed to be struggling with. He blinked once or twice and then coughed again, fiddling with one of his bracelets with more intensity now. "Um, Hatake, you know I respect you as a friend, and as a comrade, and I would never doubt what you say…"

Underneath his mask, Kakashi frowned. What was the Sarutobi getting at now?

"But, uh, I have to ask, as a Jōnin of the village…your…your relationship with Sakura didn't start while you were her teacher, right?" Asuma's brown eyes darted to look at Kakashi, the look on his own face almost nervous.

"Of course not," Kakashi replied smoothly. "And I hope the same can be said for you?"

"Definitely," Asuma returned, now looking a lot calmer than before. "Do you think it looks better or worse that two Jōnin have started dating their former students?"

Kakashi shrugged minimally. "I honestly couldn't say Asuma, but, either way, I don't think the village is going to accept our relationships with open arms. Though Lady Tsunade did see me with Sakura and didn't comment."

Asuma's eyes widened slightly. "The Hokage, really? And she's not said anything?"

"Sakura had training with her all that afternoon and she didn't say a word about it apparently."

"Huh." Asuma glanced downwards again and began rubbing his hands together.

"Asuma,"

The man in question looked up at his name. Kakashi smiled as reassuringly as he could.

"It'll be ok. At the very least, I doubt Choji or Shikamaru will clock you one like Naruto did me,"

They were both silent for a few seconds and Kakashi thought Asuma was thinking this over, that was until he realised the Sarutobi was silently giggling to himself, apparently amused by the fact that his friend had been punched by the Uzumaki. Kakashi's eye narrowed immediately.

"But who knows? Maybe Shikamaru's got a good left hook."

Asuma continued laughing, but eventually got to his feet, casting a grin his friend's way as he spluttered. "I'm sorry. Want another drink?"

Kakashi raised his eyebrow. "As long as it's on you."

Asuma nodded and then, still chuckling, made his way over to the bar. Kakashi watched him go with a mean look in his eye. He hoped the Sarutobi's students would be understanding, but at the same time…it'd be pretty good if he wasn't the only Jōnin walking around with a bruised cheek.

Meanwhile, Sakura was in a public bathroom thanking God for the spot of blood she'd found on the inside of her knickers.

Now, normally, Sakura was more likely to blaspheme when she got her period. It ached, her stomach churned, and often she'd lose a lot of blood. But this time around…good God was she happy. It hadn't gone unnoticed by the Haruno that Kakashi hadn't been wearing a condom the last few times they'd had sex and while, at the time, it hadn't worried her. The thought of getting pregnant had been weighing on her mind a little bit since then.

Now then…she needed to get started on those birth control pills.

After a long talk with Asuma, in which Kakashi had discussed almost everything to do with his relationship with Sakura and come away feeling a lot calmer, the Copy Ninja was now ambling home. That was until he was stopped by somebody calling his name.

"Kakashi!?"

The man turned, only to see Shizune rushing towards him, waving her hands around wildly. He waited patiently until the black haired woman came to a screeching stop in front of him.

"Yo." He greeted.

"Kakashi," Shizune said, her tone earnest. "Lady Tsunade requires your presence."

Despite himself, underneath his mask, Kakashi paled slightly. Perhaps the Hokage had simply been thinking their relationship over and was now giving her verdict? Maybe Sakura had just lied to his face about Tsunade not saying anything? Stay calm Hatake. Worrying about possibilities won't help anyone. Trying to remain casual, Kakashi cocked his head at Tsunade's aid.

"When for?" He enquired.

"Right now." Shizune replied immediately.

"…ah," Kakashi began following after the woman as she scuttled off. He watched her with an expression half way calculating and half way worried. "What is this…about, can I ask?"

Shizune cast an incredulous look over her shoulder at him. "Kakashi, you're a Jōnin being called to the Hokage's office to discuss important matters, you know I can't answer that here."

"Of course," Kakashi nodded in response and then tucked his hands into his pockets. So what would he do if Tsunade said he couldn't continue his relationship with Sakura? It would depend on the penalties of course, and the Hokage was an intelligent, calculating woman. She would know to threaten not only his, but Sakura's position in the village, forcing Kakashi to accept the dismissal of their relationship lest his lover suffer. But was Lady Tsunade truly that cruel? The Copy Ninja had no idea what Tsunade's stance was on relationships. All he knew was that he couldn't go in blind, he needed to know what sort of mood Tsunade was in. That wasn't exactly covert information; everyone in the village knew when the woman was in a bad mood. "How is our fine Hokage today?"

Shizune glanced over her shoulder again and then shrugged as the pair of them reached the steps leading up to Tsunade's office. "She's ok, a bit tetchy I guess, but it's understandable with the new intel we've received."

They began ascending the steps and, once again, Kakashi tried to get a grip on the situation he was going into. "Something to do with the…village?"

"It could be." Shizune replied, her expression faraway.

"To do with…ninjas in this village?"

There were a few moments of silence and Kakashi stared at Shizune, then the woman stopped. She was on the step above Kakashi and so their faces were level.

"Kakashi," a smile curved onto her lips. "It's not about you and Sakura, if that's what you're thinking."

Kakashi felt like his heart had just dropped out of his chest. On one hand he was feeling immense relief, on the other hand…Shizune knew too?

"…oh." He managed dumbly.

"It's mission stuff," Shizune continued, but the smile did not leave her face as she began moving up the stairs again, Kakashi plodding after her. "Though I hope it's not out of order for me to say I think you two are a really good match?" She cast a glance over her shoulder and grinned.

Kakashi suddenly got the distinct feeling that Shizune and the Hokage had perhaps been discussing his relationship with Sakura. He managed a weak smile back at the aid and then sunk into a gloom. So if it wasn't hatred and repulsion he was getting, it was smirks and raised eyebrows? The Hatake wasn't sure which he'd prefer.

Still time for a bit of both he mused inwardly as he followed Shizune inside the building and towards Tsunade's office. They stopped outside and Shizune mustered a few small knocks before walking in, apparently waking up the Hokage who bobbed up like a jack in the box, albeit with a lot more drool emitting from her mouth than would be the custom.

"Ah!" She recovered quickly, wiping the drool from her chin even as her eyes became calculating. "Kakashi, welcome."

Shizune nodded her head reverently and then departed, backing out of the office and leaving the two senior ninja alone. Despite Shizune's assurances, Kakashi couldn't help but prepare himself inwardly for perhaps a shoe to the head. However no shoe came. Instead, Tsunade was still regarding the Copy Ninja, her chin in her hand and a sly smile upon her face.

Kakashi had no idea what she was thinking, but he'd rather she was yelling at him than looking at him the way she was. He coughed awkwardly and stuck his hands in his pockets, thumbing the papers of his book.

"Uh, hello Lady Tsunade." He greeted after a short while.

Tsunade's smile transformed into a Cheshire grin. "Hello. I presume Shizune gave you a quick down low on why I've called you here?"

Kakashi shrugged. "She gave me some idea. We've received new intel?"

Tsunade's face became serious immediately. "Correct," she concurred, getting to her feet and turning to look out of the window, her hands behind her back. "Recently there have been whispers about the criminal organisation, the Akatsuki," the woman looked to the side, her eyes trained on the man behind her. "You know of them, of course."

Kakashi nodded. "A band of S-Rank criminals that are known for wearing cloaks adorned with red clouds, yes."

"That's right," Tsunade turned her head forward again, her facial expression lost to the man behind her. "Well, recent intel has been troubling. Apparently the Akatsuki are planning something big, though no one can be sure of what they are planning. The people we have out there right now are not reliable enough Kakashi. They're not ninjas of the Hidden Leaf, they're simply moles, and moles are not always dependable."

"Ah."

"I'm sending you out on a mission Hatake," the blonde lady turned around and looked at Kakashi with stern eyes, folding her arms as she did so. "I need intel on the Akatsuki. Good intel. The mission could be dangerous so I need one of my best Jōnin out there…that's you."

Kakashi nodded his head swiftly. "Right ma'am."

Tsunade smiled and then strode towards her desk, whipping up some papers as she did so. She hurled them at the man. Kakashi caught them swiftly and perused them quickly. A mission overview.

"You'll be sent out in around a week," Tsunade said as the man scanned the papers. "Be prepared. This mission could be incredibly dangerous should anything go wrong."

Kakashi tucked the intel into his pocket and then cocked his head, smiling. "I'll try to be careful." He assured her.

Tsunade regarded him for a few moments before nodding. "Good," she replied. "Dismissed."

Kakashi nodded and turned to leave. Tsunade sat herself at her desk, and was just about to resume snoring into her work before she realised the Hatake had not left the room. Holding in a sigh, she looked up. Kakashi was stalled by the door, his hand on the knob.

"Hatake?"

"Lady Tsunade," Kakashi turned, hating himself for keeping himself in the situation when he could quite easily leave. "Do you not have…anything to say about my…uh…relationship with Sakura?"

He had no idea why he was asking this question. Usually Kakashi was the type of guy who would just wing it; keep going until someone tells you to stop. He was often in the realms of the law anyway, and if he ever wasn't it was with good reason. The Hatake was sure he was still within the realms of the law, but still…it couldn't hurt to have some assurance from the Hokage if he could get it.

At his words, a smile curved onto Tsunade's face and she leant back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling. "Yes, you and Sakura, eh?"

Kakashi watched her nervously.

"I can tell you Hatake, it's raising a few eyebrows, but as long as neither of you do anything stupid, I have no issue with your relationship. You're colleagues, Sakura's legal, you're both adults…what you do is your business."

"But aren't you worried at all that I may have started the relationship while I was her teacher? Before she was legal?" Kakashi was completely at a loss, inwardly, as to why he was digging himself this horrific grave.

Thankfully Tsunade did not seem to take this question too seriously. Quirking a brow, the woman moved forward, leaning her elbows on the desk. "Did you?"

"No."

"And if I ever doubt you on that fact Kakashi, I can have you interrogated until you're spitting blood and crying out all your deepest darkest secrets." Tsunade's smile was particularly smug now.

"…ah." Was all Kakashi could muster.

"Feel better?"

"Yes…I guess."

"Good. Dismissed,"

Kakashi nodded and then turned once more, reaching out to grab the doorknob. However, this time he was stopped by Tsunade.

"But keep in mind Kakashi, if you hurt my student in anyway, you'll be dealing with a lot more than that silly bruise you have under that mask."

Kakashi paled. "…ok."

Tsunade grinned as she watched him leave her office.

"I got my period!"

"I got a mission."

Sakura stalled before padding towards her former Sensei. They'd met up at his house and now Kakashi was leaning against a table, his arms crossed and his paperwork behind him.

"Really?" The pinkette untangled Kakashi's arms and pushed herself against his chest, resting her head over his heart and listening as it beat. Steady and reliable, just like Kakashi himself. "For how long? And when?"

"It could be a long one," Kakashi brought his hands up to comb through the girl's hair, enjoying the softness between his fingers. "And I'm leaving the village in a few days."

"What's the mission?"

Kakashi chuckled. "You know I can't tell you that."

Sakura pouted and then looked up, her face glum. "I'll miss you."

"You'll be ok," her lover returned. "Maybe you could use my absence to patch things up with Naruto."

Sakura let out a small sigh and then puffed up her cheeks. "He's not mad at me, he's just mad at us," she huffed. "He's fine until I try to bring you up, and then he retreats into his shell."

"I hope he doesn't hate me for too long." Kakashi stated brightly.

Sakura punched the man lightly upon the chest. "He doesn't hate you," she scolded. "He's just confused I think."

"And angry." Kakashi supplied.

"Yeah, that too." Sakura glanced off to the side and Kakashi couldn't help but hope she wasn't letting Naruto's attitude get her too down.

"You getting your period is news now, by the way?" He decided to coax her out of her slump.

The girl perked up considerably straight away. "Yeah! And I bought some birth control. I can't take it until I've finished my period, but my period's only last around three days…oh God, I'm sorry, you don't want to hear about my period," Sakura suddenly buried her face into her hands, going as pink as her hair. "Sorry!" She squeaked.

Kakashi parted the girl's hands and then craned his neck down, bringing his face close to hers. He nuzzled his nose against hers and then pulled her back into a hug.

"If you're on your period, you need ice cream, right?"

"It's almost a requirement, yes."

Sooo sorry this has taken so long to be updated! And apologies for the smut drought. Of course not every chapter needs smut, but it's been a while. There should be smut in the next chapter though!

Right, thank you soooooo much to everyone who has followed and favourited this story so far, I still am shocked by how well this is being received!

Also thank you to: SaiyanWizard, Tally Ho Mofos, Korymenei, bookluv22 (your review was lovely! Thank you so much!), deathrosekitty, Laurie, StarKiss666, AkariNeMellia, D-Gragoon1212 (Thank you so so much for your lovely compliments!), Trunksmybaby, Bella (Thank you sooo much. Your reviews always make me so happy!), electrickpanda, Salinia and harvestangel99 for your reviews, they're amazing!