A/N: I want to thank each and every one of you who read, commented, alerted and favored my story. I was really surprised since it is my first try at this. You all are too kind. Thank you, again. I do promise to update as frequent as I can. Hopefully a couple times a week or at least weekly.

And a special thanks to my bbf (beta best friend), or simply my bestie, heartkakashi, for putting up with about a year of correcting chapters and chapters, me going back and rewriting those chapters and forcing her to reread my new "concept", giving up and starting a brand new story out of no where, calling randomly for story idea advice for ridiculous one-shots I magically became inspired to write.. Ah, good friend. Guess what.. I finally effing posted. Aha. Your turn. ;]

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 2 - The Five Stages of Grief and Hot Dogs

01. Denial

"Remarkable, isn't it?"

Kakashi turned his head in alarm, but there was no one beside him. Where did that voice come from? The only source of life around him were drones of people paying no heed to him, or anyone for that matter, as they hurried down the cement paved streets. He began to grow painfully aware of being lost in some imaginary world in his mind, completely alone and was now hearing voices. Not really a good sign.

"What's wrong, boy? You look like you've seen a ghost."

A strong scent of cinnamon wafted his senses as a familiar lanky form materialized to the empty spot right next to him. Kakashi cocked his head to the side, unsure of what he was seeing. "Mylan?"

A warm smile paired with twinkling eyes greeted him. The person sitting next to him was indeed the graying old man. However, there was a difference in his appearance. His hair and beard still cascaded down his fragile frame, each wrinkle etched on his pinkish skin remained, the emerald of his eyes were still so very vibrant.

But he looked absolutely ridiculous.

The all powerful man discarded the 'legendary mystic' look for something rather.. unbecoming in Kakashi's opinion. Instead of the flowing, raggedy, brown robe, he wore a bright, flowery, red print shirt, exceptionally short khaki shorts, thonged, chestnut shoes, a straw hat and small, round-framed sun glasses.

"It isn't polite to stare." Mylan said with much amusement in his voice.

"I see you decided to keep the cane."

The old man gave him a horrified look. "This isn't a cane. This staff is a thousand years of-"

"Where are we?" Kakashi interrupted, looking curiously about him, surprisingly feeling very light about the situation he was thrown in. He still wasn't quite sure if he were dead, alive or just, well, crazy.

The old man shook his head while grasping his staff more tightly in his clutch, muttering about the valuable worth of his 'cane' and the rudeness of this generation. The soft, quiet mumblings weren't deaf upon Kakashi's ears.

"I apologize for my rudeness. You look lovely."

"It is the style here. And with all my dimension traveling it's necessary to, how do you youthful ones say it? Go with the flow as to remain inconspicuous." Mylan used his free hand to pinch the polyester fabric of his shirt, "This is Hawaiian print. Very popular and widely-"

"Where is, 'here'?" Kakashi asked, completely disregarding Mylan's fashion explanation.

With a heavy sigh the older man turned to look around him as well. He assumed that the unusual, exaggerated aloofness displayed by the younger man next to him was simply caused by extreme shock. Mylan smiled. It was a lot better than the usual screaming he was accustomed to. "We are in a place full of many people like yourself."

A small, balding man had clumsily dropped his belongings all over the ground and was hastily picking them up in an extremely inefficient way right in front of the the bench the two men shared.

"I am nothing like these people." he shook his head in disbelief.

"It may or may not seem like it now but you need to look beyond the beyond."

Again, Kakashi shook his head. "It makes sense now."

"I'm glad you're taking heed of my words."

"No. Not that. I'm beginning to sympathize with those who'd get frustrated with the way I talk. Speaking in puzzles is pretty fun, but listening to them is a different story."

Mylan chuckled. "You seem to be taking this quite well. Your sense of humor is still very intact. Visiting another dimension is usually very difficult for most people, but you are adapting remarkably."

"I've come to accept that I'm going crazy." he replied casually without hesitation. "Might as well since there is no denying it. Look at that." Kakashi pointed at a full grown man covered in metallic silver paint, moving ever so often as if he were a statue. "That's not real."

"I believe they call those people 'living statues'. It's how they make their living."

"Ah, it's how some people make their living in my subconscious, you mean."

The older man laughed heartily while taking off his hat to languidly fan himself. "No, no, son. You haven't gone mad. Not yet, at least. This is simply your test. Did you really think it was going to be easy?"

02. Anger

His test? This absurd world was his test? And now it all came rushing back to him- the cave, Sakura, the images inside the pocket watch, him accepting the challenge and the swarm of colors before he landed.. here. Here to this strange, foreign land. What the.. This was real life?

"I've never heard of teleportation causing amnesia. Quite peculiar, but I suppose it is a result from traumatic experience."

"Stop reading my mind."

Mylan grinned. "I'll try my best."

"So, this is all real. All of it. The streets, these people? All of this is real?" Kakashi looked about him disbelievingly. He closed his eyes and used the hand resting on his thigh and pinched. Hard.

"Shit." his eyes widened when he felt the pain shoot up him for a brief moment. "This is real. This world is real."

"I've been trying to tell you that.."

"What am I doing here?" his voice stern and direct.

It was all too much. The cave in, listening to his beloved student almost die and say her goodbyes, meeting this mystical old man that should have remained a fictional character to him and to top it all off, this strange place was real! A good, educated guess would be that Mylan was going to leave him here and, if so, that'd be completely disastrous. Not to mention, absolutely inconvenient. Kakashi knew nothing of this world of strange widowed blocks, blackened streets and cascades of lifeless people. To live here? To survive here? How was he suppose to go about this and do the task this old man required of him. He had nothing on him besides the clothes on his back and a few safety precautions that he carried around with him, like a knife, but he was sure that object wouldn't be really necessary in this world where he doubted hunting and killing we're obligated.

"You are here to complete your mission of course."

"Why couldn't I have done that in my dimension instead of bringing me here where I know nothing of their culture, technology, hell, I don't even know what these people eat for breakfast."

Mylan winced, sensing the younger man next to him was going through a very difficult time getting use to this idea.

"You will learn."

"How? There are already enough problems with this situation as it is. If I'm thrown here, there are just too many factors to consider, like where am I staying? Do I need some sort of job? How long am I staying here?"

"All will be answered in time."

"Now is not the time to be cryptic. These are reasonable questions that need to be answered now."

Mylan smiled, "Of course, they're reasonable. You simply want to know if I'm not going to leave you stranded here alone, I understand, child, but that's why I'm sitting with you now instead of just transporting you here without giving you an ounce of guidance."

Kakashi slightly relaxed. He remained silent waiting for the older man's reply.

03. Bargaining

"We are currently in the big city, K.C.- roughly speaking, Konoha City. Population three million, nine hundred, forty two thousand, seven-hundred and thirty one, including you."

"My life is in Konoha. My home is in Konoha, not here."

"We are in Konoha." he replied casually.

Kakashi bit his tongue to prevent him from asking more questions that would have made him look even more naïve. He sat and thought for a moment, purposefully forgetting that the man in front of him could skim through his thoughts. Mylan smirked to himself while observing his surroundings nonchalantly.

"Why here?" he asked after several minutes of silence.

"A test isn't fun unless it's challenging."

"I bet you can make something quite challenging for me back in my dimension. I'm sure with all your vast powers you could come up with something. A flaming tiger that spits exploding tags, zombies made of senbon." Kakashi retaliated half sarcastically, throwing out the ideas carelessly.

"Those are wonderfully unique ideas. I'll be sure to remember them next time." he stroked his chin, feigning contemplation.

"In all seriousness, can't we just go back? I'll still do the mission will less of a unique circumstance, however long it takes. I'll do whatever it is you want me to do. Just as long as it's not here."

"Kakashi-chan," Mylan said the endearment affectionately, "When was the last time you felt truly challenged?"

04. Depression

Kakashi was silent for a moment, mulling and rolling the question in his mind until he made a revelatory conclusion- it had been so long that he couldn't remember at all. After the war, came the habitual lifestyle he adapted. But he was totally fine with that. It really wasn't that bad as Mylan put it, at least, he thought so. Although he found his position in life tolerable, Kakashi was languidly beginning to realize there was no escaping this. He would not be going home any time soon. He would not be able to see Sakura or the rest of the members of Team 7. He could feel himself slowly come undone from the inside.

The small corner of Mylan's lips curved up sympathetically. "A challenge isn't a challenge unless it is challenging, my boy. You will never learn if it were simply a situation you could easily overcome. There are many difficulties here that you have not yet experienced. Things are much more fast paced. And most people are not so hospitable."

The silver-haired man sighed and shook his head. If you can't beat them, join them- right? "And I am like them, you mentioned? Well, that's not very fair. I'm moderately hospitable." he lightheartedly defended.

"I'm glad you were listening. Do you remember what I said to you in the cave?"

"You said quite a lot."

Mylan sighed tiredly. It was difficult dealing with those who had photographic memory. "Do you remember what I said about you."

"Wasn't it all about me?"

"The egocentric part." the old man clarified, smirking.

That didn't really help, but he decided to take a stab at the question lingering. "You said that I was a selfish man, living a half life. That I was destined for much more. That my choosing to be alone was selfish." he filled in monotonously.

"Yes, your choice. One step onto another path can alter your fate in a blink of an eye. And you, my dear boy, have walked miles away from your course."

"Are you saying that life is predestined?" he asked curiously. "And that I messed everything so much I needed divine intervention. Hn, I did one hell of a job not doing anything."

Mylan chuckled. "Everything has a blueprint, but things may change as we go. Nothing is set in stone. Just like my appearance in your life. You made a life choice to take on that mission, and another choice to explore the left cave while Haruno Sakura chose the right. It could just have easily turned out differently and she could here be standing in your place now while you floated off asleep in my dimension waiting. Life is a perfect blend of chance, luck and fate, and you are very lucky to be given this chance by fate. I know you are a man who's every bit deserving."

"I'm unsure if that's a compliment or a warning."

"You are very welcome."

"Ah, yes." Kakashi scratched the back of his head feeling very overwhelmed and overloaded with questions, "And my task here is to.. exactly.. Well, I'm not too sure what I'm doing here."

"Your mission will not be so easy. To survive in such a fast pace world that is run by greed, one must build strong mental barriers to protect oneself. Very much like your own. But just like every where you may go, there are bad people, but there is always good, and those who fit inside the gray areas.

Here, you must experience three moments of pure happiness. Only then will you be able to return to your own world and save your comrade."

"Pure happiness? That doesn't mean I have to fall in love here? I'm thirty-two years old."

"Not necessarily. There are many other ways to achieve pure happiness. For example, doing things you enjoy. Although love certainly does bring one happiness... though not always pure." the old man winked mischievously, "And love does not have age boundaries. If so, then that means that I am out of the game."

Kakashi snorted amused. "You are out of this world."

"Why, so are you, son. Technically speaking."

"Pure happiness." Kakashi repeated, "And once that happens, I may go home."

"Yes you may."

"Alright then. Let's get started."

"It isn't that easy. This will take some time. A lot of time. Wouldn't life be easier if we could accomplish our life goals within a few weeks span? Idealistically speaking, of course."

"But I don't have time. I should be there for when Sakura awakes. And we have this mission to report." he said that part halfheartedly, "We have lives in Konoha."

"I doubt you have a hectic schedule to go back to at home. And besides, we are in Konoha."

Kakashi narrowed his obsidian eyes. "You know what I mean."

"If you complete this task, when you return to your world it will be as if time has not passed at all. You will return back to the cave you were in, unharmed."

"Wouldn't that mean if I complete the task at seventy-five years old, I would return back to my thirty-two year old self? Theoretically speaking, I really don't want to stay here that long."

"Of course not, that's simply cruel."

"And sending me here isn't?" Kakashi disdainfully looked around at the busy bodies, lifelessly barreling down the roads.

"I'm going to ignore that." Mylan said sternly, "Three months to achieve pure happiness. If you cannot, you and your friend will be trapped in the caves for all of eternity."

"Ah, that isn't frightening." he said sarcastically.

"You will live out these three months accordingly to the very last minute. At the end I will inform you of your progress."

"I have managed to live all these years without experiencing this, pure happiness or whatever, and I am required to find some way to do so within three months in a place I don't know anything about. And not one moment, but three..." he reasoned, "I'll try to think optimistically."

"That's my boy." Mylan reached inside his pocket and pulled out his pocket watch, "I want you to take this. During these months that you are adventuring to complete my task you are under my protection. If you ever need me use this and I will come. But only use this in dire situation. If I don't deem it as a worthy call, I have the option of removing time away from you. Always keep this on you."

"Alright." Kakashi took the watch and carefully stowed it inside his pants pocket, "I'll be sure to never use this."

"There is one rule you must always abide. You must never tell anyone you are from a different dimension."

"That's fine with me. I don't want to tell anyone that anyway. They'll think I've gone insane as much I think I have."

Mylan chuckled. "And this is their currency." he handed Kakashi a three rectangular papers with the number one, five and twenty on them. "Use this wisely."

Kakashi apprehensively took the cash into his hands and counted. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I don't think this is very much."

"Don't worry. You already have enough difficulties ahead of you. I assure you this is exactly the amount you need till you reach your destination."

"I'm going somewhere else?" he didn't want to go anywhere. He was contented with sitting on the uncomfortable bench for a little while longer.

"Yes." he smiled all-knowingly.

Suddenly, a large, rectangular, blue wagon appeared before them. Its doors magically folded to the side as many people exited the beast.

"This is a bus, Kakashi." the old man explained. "I want you to get on-"

"Oh, no. No, no. You want me to get inside this? Is this even safe?" the old man pushed Kakashi to stand and continued to urge him towards the bus.

"It's safe enough." he smiled reassuringly, "Now hurry up, get on before it leaves. When the bus driver calls out Seventh Street, I want you to exit and purchase something they call a hot dog. You're probably hungry."

"Wait! I still have questions! I don't know the basic culture, hell, I don't even know what this bus is that you're speaking of. And a dog never has, and never will sound appetizing to me." he frantically tried to reason with the man who held his fate in his fragile, wrinkled hands.

"Ah, I wish I can stay longer but I'm afraid I can't. Now hurry along." Mylan shoved Kakashi towards the line of the few people entering the large vehicle. Hesitantly, he took his first step onto the metal stairs leading him to the awaiting driver. The driver took the one dollar bill that was tightly held in Kakashi's hand and an elderly woman behind him pushed him, urging him to move forward. Everything was going too fast.

"When I exit Seventh Street, what do I do after I purchase the.. hot dog?" he said with strong emphasis on the 'dog', hastily walking down the aisle of the bus, calling out through the windows to the old man currently waving at him outside.

"You will know once you are there. Follow the familiar, Kakashi-chan. Follow the familiar."

With those final words the bus took off, throwing Kakashi off balance. Embarrassingly enough, he found that he was the only one falling over himself and many were watching him with scrutiny in their eyes. He quickly found an empty seat that was completely covered in stickers and an abundant amount of other multicolored, sticky substances.

Seventh Street. A hot dog. Follow the familiar.

05. Acceptance

This was by far the worst day of his life.

"Seventh!" the overweight, ginger haired driver called from the front of the bus. With careful movement he walked down the stairs and exited still feeling that his situation was too surreal.

Kakashi took a sure step onto the pavement was as greeted with a large, arched sign that read 'Hidden Village Park'. Scanning around him, he was shocked to see so many more people, more colorful and interactive that the the ones he encountered earlier who wore nothing but gray and black. Seventh street was peculiar. It seemed that many of these people flocked to this large park.

His eyes traveled, observing every little detail, wary of any underlying threats and keeping a close lookout for the 'familiar' that Mylan had advised him about. Kakashi took a step away from where the bus had dropped him off when his stomach caught his attention. It was grumbling and loudly. He immediately changed his tactic, to find the hot dog, before he would search for what would be familiar to him. Although he highly doubted anything would be familiar to him here.

He walked down the street. He walked up the street. He walked on the other side of the street. He walked everywhere and he still could not find that damn hot dog. Maybe he'd just starve here.

Would it be a less than worthy reason to call Mylan for help? He was hungry.

While he was debating if he should or should not use the pocket watch, a blur of pink caught his attention from the corner of his exposed eye. Kakashi stiffened. It couldn't be.. Could it?

He swiftly weaved through the dense crowds of people on his desperate search.

Then he heard it. That familiar, joyful laugh was ringing relief and comfort in his ears. He wouldn't be surprised if he was experiencing pure happiness at that very moment.

It had to be her. It just had to be. He perked his ears and followed the sound that lead him into the park. The more he walked the more sure he became. He could even smell her warm, vanilla scent lingering in the air. She was close! Very close. He turned the corner and every sore, tensed muscle relaxed as he exhaled in relief. There was she was! She was laying underneath a tree, alone, reading a book. An activity he had spent most of his life doing.

"Sakura," He called out to her. "It's such a relief to see you."

Her emerald eyes widened in shock as she quickly scrambled to her feet. "Professor Hatake, what are you doing here?"

Kakashi let out a nervous cough in surprise. The shock on her face told him that this wasn't the person whom he spent the last ten years of service with. This was not his Sakura. This was Sakura of this world. Wait. Did she just call him professor? He knew that was the civilian term for Shishou. Was his counterpart in this dimension a.. professor? Well, that was neat.

"I suppose I'm a bit lost." he chuckled nervously. "It's great to see you."

"Yeah, it's great to see you, too.." Sakura eyed him skeptically. "I thought you were vacationing in Earthland. You know, exploration of caves?"

"Ah, I came back. I realized it wasn't for me." Thank goodness for his quick reactions and acting skills. Mylan's words echoed in his mind. He couldn't tell anyone he wasn't from this dimension. And he didn't want to scare away the only person in this densely populated city that he was comfortable with. He would play the part of Hatake Kakashi, the professor, and he would play this well.

"Oh.. But you've only been gone a day."

He was really great with acting when he had enough information to play the part. "Yeah, it was kind of a drag."

"Professor," she addressed apprehensively, "Are you alright?"

"Of course I am." he answered as convincingly as he could.

"You're acting a little.. off. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine. Why do you ask?"

She hummed in contemplation. "Because you've never willingly spoke to me out of class hours."

Were they not close? In this wrinkle in time, were they just simply teacher and student? "It's not wise to show favoritism."

With mirth, she snorted. "I really don't think I'm your favorite student."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, I didn't necessarily pass your course.." she grimaced, as if she was hoping he wouldn't ask that, ".. twice."

Was this really her? He gave her look of disbelief. The Sakura he knew excelled in every subject, flawlessly and almost effortlessly. This couldn't be her.

'Follow the familiar.' The old man's words echoed in his mind. He had to keep in mind that there would be differences. Although they looked the same, they did not live the same life. Their different upbringings would surly make differences between them. However, in this dimension she was Sakura, and she was the only person who could give him clues on himself and how to thrive in this strange world.

"I'm sure you'll do better next time." he grinned reassuringly.

She swayed awkwardly as if deciding to continue talking to him or sitting back down against the tree. Finally she simply turned to gather her things. "Right. Well, it was nice talking to you, professor. I have to get going now."

A wave of panic rushed him as she readied herself to leave. No words formed in his head that didn't sound ridiculous that could convince her to stay. There was no way he'd allow her to leave him alone, hungry in the middle of some strange city- hell, a foreign world no less- but he just couldn't say it aloud. Luckily his stomach spoke for him. It made a very audible, very long noise that was too high in pitch to be classified as a grumble. The kind of bodily sound that would be the most embarrassing in any awkward situation.

Sakura looked at him, down to his stomach and back to his face before she smiled smugly. "Hungry?" she asked with amusement in her voice.

"Do you know where I could find a.." he held his stomach coyly with a guilty expression on his face. This was not how he wanted the conversation to go. "a hot dog." he said with large emphasis on the 'dog' once more.

She held up the back of her hand over her mouth in attempts to hold in her laughter. "Yes, I know where you could find a hot dog." she mimicked, "In fact, I was going to get one myself. Want to join?"

He was so relieved that he could cry. "I suppose I could." he answered nonchalantly.

"Come on, Professor." she shook her head smiling and motioned with her hand for him to follow.

Kakashi placed his hands inside his pockets and trailed behind her. She weaved the paths of the park with intent purpose, and he followed observing around him. This park was filled with trees and lush meadows. There were so many children running around and playing with one another. Most of the adults were either sitting on benches, or in the grass with picnic baskets, and some jogging. There were performers, musicians, a man painted completely in silver who moved only ever so often. Kakashi had never seen so many balloons. The parks in the Konoha he was from were never this lively.

"Professor, we're here." Sakura waved her hand catching his attention.

Kakashi looked around him, but he did not see a restaurant. No. He saw a cart with a large, yellow umbrella over head and the words 'Wiener Brothers' painted on top. He looked at it and back at Sakura, waiting for her approval. The confident look she was giving him assured him that this was the spot.

Shit. Well, what could he do?

He casually walked up to the pimply young man by the cart.

"May I get two hot dogs, please?" he asked courteously, ignoring the wary look of the teenager.

"Yeah.. sure. Whatever man." the boy gave Kakashi a weird look before he pulled out two pieces of toasted bread in the shape of a cylinder, placing a disgusting piece of squishy looking meat in between, and squirted this yellow, green and red substance over them. He wrapped it up clumsily and handed the finished product over.

Kakashi held out his hand hesitantly completely horrified of what just took place. This was food? Was this the food he'd have to eat while he was here for three months?

"That'll be five bucks, mister."

Quickly he pulled out the currency and gave the boy the money. He worriedly walked back to Sakura who was waiting a few feet behind him.

"Are you okay? You look like someone just kicked your puppy." she joked, carefully looking over him. Her choice of words ignited dread in him.

Puppy? Dog? Hot dog? Sadly, Kakashi thought fondly of his pack of ninken.

He regained his composure and handed her the wrapped hot dog. Apprehensively he turned to her. "What is this made of?"

"I don't think you'd really want to know. I'm not even sure what's in these things."

The disdain on his face as he looked at his foiled hotdog filled Sakura with so much amusement.

"It's probably shoe laces.. but it's fine cuz no one really dies from that." Sakura joked, shrugging, "I suppose the main ingredient is pork, but you're never too sure with processed food."

She directed him to sit on a bench, patting twice to the seat next to her. He begrudgingly sat, eyeing the food item that was in his hand, somewhat relived that it wasn't a canine he was about to consume. But it did not ease him. He was suppose to eat this? Either way, he would absolutely eat this item of food. Not only because he was deliriously hungry, but his pride wouldn't allow him to show weakness in front of his new 'acquaintance'. It was obvious that Sakura found this disgusting floppy meal as a normality. Kakashi silently prayed for more food options.

With incredible speed, Sakura opened the foil concealing her hot dog. Kakashi watched her, dreading the moment she would actually take a bite and swallow this hideous food. Just as she was about to take her first bite she finally noticed his stare and she had to admit it was slightly unnerving her.

"Aren't you going to eat yours?"

"Ah, yes. I was just curious on how you eat this properly."

"You've never had a hot dog?" Sakura gawked. "Yeah, I shouldn't be this surprised since you keep looking at it like you want it to self combust."

Kakashi nodded, agreeing.

"Cylinder shaped foods are the best. Hot dogs, corn dogs, popsicles, twinkies, pickles. You will never go wrong with cylinder shaped foods." she explained confidently.

"Yeah, I don't know about that." he moved to drop his hot dog on the floor deciding that pride had nothing to do with this. Meat should be tender, not squishy.

"Just try it." she insisted.

Sakura offered him hers since it was unwrapped nicely. Hesitantly, he took it from her and held it in front of his face. This was embarrassing. It was just food. With a deep sigh, he devoured his meal in the blink of an eye, out of simple habit. The initial taste seemed to be the creamy red and yellow stuff, a weird salty and sour flavor, then suddenly it all mixed. The soft, salty texture of the meat with the sweetness of bread accompanied with the creamy sauce was absolutely marvelous!

She smiled triumphantly at his pleased expression. "I knew you'd like it." she took the hot dog in his other hand and began digging in. Sakura handed him her water bottle and he took it gratefully.

Despite it being the worst day of his life, he was glad she was there to ease the struggle. Here he was, thrown into a world that he knew nothing of. He didn't know the person he was to play, where he lived, if he even had a place to stay at all. At first, he assumed that he wouldn't know a soul.

But here was Sakura.

Words could not express how thankful he was to have her here with him. He began to wonder.. Was Naruto here too? Tsunade, Sai? They had to be. He wondered if they were involved with each other in some way as they were in Konoha.

"I'm glad you're finally letting loose, professor." she broke his thoughts.

"What do you mean?" he asked curiously. He wondered if his counterpart was at least somewhat similar to him.

She smiled apologetically. "Sorry. My mouth just runs away with me sometimes."

"Oh, no. I want you to speak freely." he was surprised with this painfully polite Sakura.

She inhaled nervously. "Well, you're kind of a hard ass." she clasped her hand to her mouth inwardly cursing herself. That wasn't what she wanted to say! She thought of it and came up with a really good euphemism but she still said it anyway. Damn her personality!

Kakashi openly laughed. A hard ass? He was glad she was getting comfortable fast. That was the Sakura he knew. "What kind of hardass?"

From hearing his laugh she visibly relaxed her muscles. She slouched her body and changed her uppity demeanor to something more comfortable. "It's just.. Everyone wants to take your class because you're so well known but the way you handle your class caught us all off guard. You lecture brilliantly, but you never want to talk to us afterward. Everything is so strict and organized, but at the same time you openly fall asleep in class. Your grading is.. unique. While most teachers go by the guidelines of grading by tests and labs, you integrate participation and 'sportsmanship' in group activities that you never really supervise, I think. A person can ace your tests and fail your personally added criteria and still fail your course- I'm guessing the reason why you have a sixty-five percent fail rate."

"Held all that in these past two semesters, huh?" Kakashi smirked.

"Yeah.." she gave him a look of guilt while forcing herself to sit rigidly straight once more, "Shit, I'm so sorry if I insulted you! But don't worry! I never call you frigid like the other ones do! It's just sometimes I say words that just-"

"I'm.. frigid?" he repeated.

Sakura slapped her hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry." she flapped her hand open to speak and closed over her mouth once more.

"What for?"

"Sometimes I say things out loud.. that I don't mean. I'm really sorry, professor. You are not frigid at all! It's just I felt comfortable all of a sudden, like I've known you forever.. Since we are eating.. and at the tree.. Well, I have known you for a year now but that doesn't give me an excuse.. We were never really close except.. you know, and I'm really an idiot and-"

"No, it's fine. I admit to it." he interrupted her ramblings. He held up both of his hands in surrender, smiling reassuringly. Everything she said to describe him seemed about right. At least he didn't have to try hard to act like someone else during his three months stay here. Participation and sportsmanship? Sounded very on point with his bell test. "And be comfortable. I am."

He watched as her panicked expression transformed and Sakura gave him a winning smile. "You know, it's been really great talking to you outside a classroom atmosphere."

"It has." he nodded, "We should do this more often."

"Yeah, we should." Her smile softened as she looked over his features. "I gotta get ready for work now. Until next time, professor."

As she stood up to leave Kakashi quickly grabbed her wrist. She looked at him questioningly and saw he was inwardly struggling with whatever he wanted to ask her.

"Did you want to catch a cab with me? We are neighbors after all." the words escaped her before she could make sense of them. They were neighbors? She had no clue.

But her offer seemed to delight him. A flash of relief flashed behind his obsidian eye, then he returned back to his aloof demeanor.

"Let's go catch this cab." he agreed, unsure of what a cab was.

He stood and followed. They traveled quite deep into the park in search for that simple, delectable meal that it had taken them a good few minutes to find the exit. While they walked, he had chosen to slowly trail behind her to observe. It was amazing how alike, but unalike the two Sakuras were. His Sakura was a little more snarky, probably due to his influence, and this one held some of the same fleeting heart as the girl he met many years ago.

But then again he did only spend about an hour with her and he saw some glimpses of their shared similarities.

He also noticed the physical difference between the two. If his Sakura would have never chosen the path of a kunoichi he suspected she would be like the one in front of him. The woman before him was slender, but instead of toned, she was soft and more rounded- a full formed woman. Without the constant need to train, this Sakura had the chance to allow her body to mature well. Impossibly flared hips, flat stomach, rounded breasts, sleek but soft arms.

Although the difference between them was hardly noticeable. Only a person like him, who paid crucial attention to detail would see.

They finally reached the blackened pavement where the mini buses drove along. She waved her hand upwards and instantly a yellow mini bus appeared before him. Kakashi assumed that this was a 'cab'.

"743 Hokage Boulevard, please?" she told the cab driver.

Kakashi hesitantly stepped into the motorized vehicle after Sakura slid her way to the other side and instantly a musky, leathery stench surrounded him. Before he was able to protest, the driver already moved the beast. To his surprise, the cab, although it smelled awful, moved at a relatively fast rate. Probably not as fast as he traveled on foot, but it did conserve one's energy. He could probably get use to this if it didn't smell so damn awful.

The drive was spent in comfortable silence and he took the time to gaze out of his window in pure amazement of his surroundings. There were so many people! The windowed blocks were endless. People were constantly entering and exiting them. They must be buildings, he reasoned. Monstrous buildings. Sadly, he noticed there were very little plant life, besides what he had seen at the park, but it didn't seem to bother the citizens very much. Everyone seemed so busy.

This world was very much like the civilian district, a place that many nin did not visit, but he came and went as he pleased. As a responsible shinobi one should be thorough, knowing the in and outs of every environment one is placed in, especially when it is home. An escape route is always nice to have.

Good thing he was very in tuned with the civilian society. Since he was already well adapted to their ways all he needed to do was research, set a good foundation, then use the rest of the time to complete his test.

Despite how shitty his predicament was- with the odds in favor of his doom- he couldn't help but feel.. excited. Hatake Kakashi was never excited. Bored at times, content the majority of the time, but never excited.

It was not everyday that he was thrown into a different dimension. He doubted that many did travel through the different planes. He would take advantage of this opportunity to learn- to know new people and learn what they learn. New complexities always fascinated him, even though he didn't express it often. It was only because as a young child he went out of his way to learn all that he could that by the time he reached adulthood, life gradually became boring. Thank goodness for Jiraiya and his beautiful writings. Kakashi had no idea how he would have survived the boredom the last decade without those books.

With an abrupt stop the cab came to a halt. "That'll be seventeen dollars."

Before Sakura could pull out her wallet, Kakashi pulled out the twenty and passed it to the man. "Keep the change."

"Thanks, dude." the driver said apathetically.

"Thank you, professor." Sakura said as the walked onto the gray pavement. "I hope you know this means I owe you a favor. I'm not the type to accept a free walk."

"I was just about to tell you that." he winked.

She smiled sensing the humor in his tone. Something she had never heard from his usual monotonous way of talking, but he sounded carefree all day. It was really nice. "You know, you're actually pretty cool professor."

"It's natural." he shrugged. Sakura laughed.

"Come on, I'm already really late for work because of you." she beckoned for him to follow her into this large, brown building. It wasn't as big as the buildings he had seen before, but it was pretty decent. The outside was simple and plain. Kakashi already could feel himself grow at ease, as if this were really his home.

He continued to walk behind Sakura. He was unsure of how to get to his apartment, let alone to where it was. There was only a lobby of the building but he saw no stairs.

Sakura pressed button that was embedded into the wall and stood. He suppose they were waiting for something, for what, he had no idea. Sure enough the answer came, even with the ding sound effect, and metal doors he assumed were walls spread apart revealing a very small room. She walked inside and hesitantly, he remained where he was, unsure if he were suppose to go inside such a tightly enclosed space with her. Although he had known her for almost a decade, she didn't know him. It was uncomfortable.

Was this her house?

"Aren't you coming?" she asked tentatively.

"Sure." he replied passively stepping into the room. He was so confused! Kakashi awkwardly stood in the middle of the elevator, facing her.

Sakura looked away uncomfortably as he stared and she quickly shifted to the side and pressed the button number eleven. She then focused her attention on a corner. Just what did he think he was doing?

The movement of the room caught Kakashi off guard that he almost stumbled. Almost. After a few more seconds of tensioned silence, he caught the drift that he shouldn't stand so close to her so he decided to lean against the furthest wall away still facing the opposite direction she was facing. Even though it was his first time riding a moving room, he even knew that it was awkward for both to stand next to each other in such a small space.

With another bell noise, the metal doors opened revealing a long hall way of deep mahogany wood on the walls and floor with many blackened metal doors. Sakura exited the elevator and he turned around and followed.

'Direct him where to go.' a small voice echoed in her mind.

"Here's your place." she motioned to the third door on the left without hesitating. Sakura had no idea how she knew he lived there, but she was confident of this information. She was a bit afraid that she was hearing voices but something inside her told her not to question it.

"Yes, this is where I live." he repeated unsure as he reached for the door handle but of course, it was locked.

"I think you keep an extra key underneath the mat." The words escaped her before she was able to make sense of them.

As he bent down, he lifted the corner of the mat and sure enough there was a key. "Thanks. I think I left my keys inside."

Sakura smiled and turned to open the door right across from his. They really were neighbors she assumed. How did she not fully realize this sooner?

As she was about to slip inside her home, the thought occurred to her that she wanted to use this opportunity. Hatake Kakashi was the one man she had always wanted to talk to. This wouldn't be the last time she would have with him.

"Professor," she called to him as he was about to close his door.

"Yes, Sakura?" he opened the door and leaned his arm against the frame.

"Here, take my number. I still owe you a favor after all." She quickly rummaged through her bag for paper and pen. "Don't be afraid to use it."

"I won't." he took the folded piece of paper and half saluted to her as thanks.

"You know, professor," she said with laughter in her voice as she entered her home. "I didn't think you were the type to cosplay in public. It's very interesting. I'll see you later." she closed her door leaving a very confused Kakashi still leaning against his door frame.

'What's cosplay?'

He quickly dismissed her comment, remembering to look up whatever she said later. He had investigating to do in this apartment.

His ears picked up voices deep inside his new dwellings. He quickly closed his door and turned, finding himself in a short, dark hallway leading up to the living room he assumed. He was sure the sounds were coming from there. His battle instincts kicked in as he prepared himself.

"Uzumaki Naruto in the Tale of a Gutsy Ninja Part Seven. Coming to theaters near you."

Kakashi lifted a brow in confusion. Naruto was a movie star in this world?

"Don't forget to take off your shoes before coming into the house. Kami, knows where you've been." a familiar, tired old voice called out to him. Quickly, Kakashi discarded his sandals and walked forward shaking his head all the while. He should have known. And of course, he smelled cinnamon.

"Welcome to my home." Kakashi dryly greeted as he entered the spacious living room.

The apartment was a large, open style studio. The floor was deep, mahogany wood, the same as the outside hallway. The large kitchen was located in the far corner and the appliances were made of sleek, stainless steal, as well as the counters and dining table. On the opposite side of the room was a king sized, chrome, four poster bed with navy blue beddings elevated by stairs. There were five large windows on the side of the apartment and one of them caught his eye. There was Mr. Ukki, his plant. Kakashi smiled. That little guy seemed to follow him everywhere, refusing to die.

He had to admit, the apartment was surprisingly chic for his taste but cold. There were very little decorations. He assumed that this was what simplicity was in this world, after all, everything was simply formed into one room. His gaze directed toward what he guessed was the living room that was currently occupied by one jolly figure.

"How was your day?" the old man were currently sitting hunched on a bamboo, cushioned couch watching television. Ah, there was something Kakashi recognized, although he never did own one. "Did you enjoy your hot dog?"

He deeply sighed and moved to join Mylan on the couch. "If you were going to be here anyway why didn't you come with me?"

"Wouldn't I have ruined the mood while you got reacquainted with your dear comrade?"

"She may have look like Sakura, but she's not the Sakura I know."

"Is she not?"

Kakashi raised a curious brow. "She's not." he said with positive conviction.

"The Sakura of this world, and the one from yours, and the others from the many other dimensions all share the same soul. She is one in the same, yet she is not."

"Ah, that didn't really answer anything."

"Sometimes, it is best not to know everything." Mylan smiled omnisciently.

"So, where's the me from this dimension?"

"From the thousands who have taken this challenge, you are the first to ask me of such. As expected from you." the old man brought his wrinkled hand to his chin in thought, "I suppose you could say he's drifted. Safely tucked away in deep sleep in my dimension, until you complete your task."

"Well, that isn't fair. I could ruin his life by accident and he'd have to return to it." he said, casually bringing his hands to the back of his head.

"Of course not! It is not my goal to ruin anyone. When you are finished with your task, he will return to the place he last remembered and his life will carry on."

"And I will leave with no one remembering who I am?"

"Precisely."

"That's a relief. I think I made a complete fool out of myself today without knowing it." he brought his arms to the back of his head, relaxing.

Mylan chuckled. "I take it that you're not accustomed to that. That's why I'm here to help with your, let's say, education."

Kakashi sat a little straighter in his seat. "Why are you helping me so much? This is your test, is it not? Shouldn't you want to add problems rather than take them away?"

"I wouldn't allow you to go through the unfamiliar and not lend you aid. Although this is a test I have administered to you, my goals are to see you achieve it. Have I come off to you as a cruel old man?"

Kakashi sat silenced, contemplating. Conversation with Mylan had been mostly pleasant and comfortable. Aside from the fact that if he should fail the challenge both he and Sakura would be doomed, the old man did not threaten him otherwise, even if was obvious that he held the power to destroy him instantly. "No, no you haven't."

He smiled with satisfaction. "I wish a moment of pure happiness to everyone. Every individual, good or evil, every creature from the mighty elephant to the meager mouse, deserves to feel as such. You are no different. I have given you a chance to live your life well, Hatake Kakashi, in a remarkable way that few get to experience."

Kakashi thought for a moment. Although his situation did not feel like an opportunity, something in him believed the old man. Mylan did not seem like his enemy, nor did he treat him like the enemy. And every molecule inside him already trusted the elderly man without question, despite being taken away from his home and placed onto a different plane to fend for himself. Usually that would've left him feeling very wary, but he was fine.

"Would you like something to drink or eat? I don't know what's here, but if this is really my home, my fridge should be full." he smiled eye crinkled.

"Some warm sake would be wonderful." Mylan returned the smile gratefully, "I feel like celebrating."

'Celebrating? And I thought I was a sadist.' Kakashi thought to himself as he left to the kitchen.

"I heard that."

"I meant you too." the younger man called out.

He was rummaging through his cupboards when the sound of an ignition caught his attention. Already there was a warming tea kettle on the smooth stove.

'Of course.'

He walked with knowing steps to a cabinet and pulled out two green tea cups and went to pour the steamy liquid into them. As he walked back into the living room he found Mylan pulling a number of books from a bookcase that stretched across the whole wall. Kakashi placed the cups down and picked up one of the books.

Encyclopedia A

And so on, and so forth to the letter Z. There were books of history, culture, linguistics, technology. By the time Mylan had finished, there were about forty books scattered all over the floor.

"You should read all of this." he smiled dusting off his hands. Kakashi groaned. "Come along, boy."

"Aren't I a little too old to be called, boy?"

Mylan turned to him gracefully. "What should I call you then? Man? Are you a man, Kakashi?"

"Well, I'm certainly not a woman." he answered awkwardly. For the first time he honestly did feel like a child compared to someone else. He decided not to fight this, after all, one should always respect their elders.

"Let us old people do what we like." he beckoned Kakashi to follow him onto the couch, grinning. "Come, you don't have much time to waste, boy."

He sighed and reluctantly followed. Mylan had pulled a flat, white rectangular object from the coffee table, no bigger than a cooking pan.

"This is a laptop." he presented the object and opened it, revealing a black screen and keyboard. "With this the world will be your oyster."

"What does it do?"

"Whatever a 2.4GHz dual core intel-processor can do."

Mylan turned on the laptop and Kakashi watched in amazement as the screen came to life. "What?"

"This fantastic world has a little thing called internet. You can research and find almost anything you want though this." Mylan handed him an instructional pamphlet that Kakashi apprehensively took. He then opened up the browser and it instantly popped up a search engine. "You can type anything you want here and it will find matches for anything you wish to learn about. Or see. There are a lot of useless and useful things about this. You just have to know which sources to trust."

Kakashi watched, feeling completely overwhelmed. He had never felt so lost and naïve in his life. And it was kind of cool. "So basically I can see and learn anything I want through this?"

"Precisely. You just have to know where to go. I have saved a few websites into the computer to get you started." he handed Kakashi the laptop and reached for his cup of sake.

Anxiously, Kakashi looked at the device in his hand and back at the old man who drank both cups in a single shot. "I don't know if I can do this." Internet? Laptops? Websites? Just what kind of world was this?

"Sure you can. You are rather bright. Think of this as an extended mission with lots of fun complexities that you like. Also, all the answers of who you are in this world and how you're going to handle your life here will come in due course." Mylan reassured, "I must be going now. Things to do. Good luck, child."

Kakashi's eyes were fixed on the screen worriedly, "I don't think you should leave quite yet. I need more instruction. There is just so much information. I don't think I can learn about a whole new world and complete this mission in three months. It takes lifetimes to-" he turned his head to the side and saw that he was sitting alone. He stared blankly at the empty seat next time.

He sighed heavily while raking his hands through his silvery hair. He had a lot to do.

A/N: Please comment. :) Chapter 3 will be up in a few days.