A/N: thank you for your patience everyone. As always, reviews keep me motivated! This one was hard for me to write as I didn't want to jump ahead with the development of their relationship too much but I still wanted to keep you readers interested – its hard finding a balance! Hope you enjoy

Chapter 7: Simple Truths'

I may not always be right there, not right there by your side but I take you everywhere, in me you reside

-Cameron Dailey, Just us two.

She flew through the trees, terror snapping at her heels. In all her time as a kunoichi, she could not remember having moved so fast. Something was building inside of her chest, some unknown horror as her mind jumbled images of what she might face when she arrived at her destination. He just had to be ok. Never in her life had she felt something so strong, and knowing finally that he felt the same made her realise that-

Sakura slammed the pages she was reading onto her table with an unimpressed grunt. She had been inside her apartment for the last three days basically re-writing the Icha Icha draft. She liked to think it was because she knew Kakashi was waiting for it and she didn't want to let him down, but if she was completely honest with herself, she was really enjoying it. Or at least, she had been.

What on earth did she know what it felt like to be loved by anyone as much as she had loved Sasuke? Sure, she could draw on that experience for her female protagonists point of view, but Sakura hadn't the faintest idea what it was like knowing that someone adored you completely. She had kept waiting and waiting for the young Uchiha to feel the same and it had never happened and nothing had arisen since then that could give her an inkling of what it meant to be someone's entire world.

She had spent the majority of her teenage years pining after a boy who clearly had no interest in her. She was pretty sure the Uchiha had been an asexual mess which at least meant there was nothing wrong with her. She had been hit on by plenty of guys so eventually had come to the belated conclusion that she had thrown too much of herself into the prospect of one man. It was clearly still showing all these years later as she found it very hard to entertain the idea of dating anyone. There was just something inside her that pulled her back every time. She could never go through with it and so here she was, a twenty-year old virgin. Perhaps if she had been a civilian it wouldn't have mattered, she could have continued living in bliss, ignorant of the fact true love didn't just happen. As it was, she was a kunoichi who had experienced far too much heartbreak in her already short life. She blamed herself mostly for developing such a ridiculous obsession.

The thing that bothered her most was that she had fallen so completely without having the slightest idea of what it actually felt like to be loved. She had read about it, seen it in movies and at the few weddings she had attended, but she was oblivious.

She sighed heavily. Now that she had started it and invested so much time in the thing, she didn't want to stop. She really had little else to do anyway with Tsunade ordering her off duty until her mission. Well, that wasn't strictly true. She was supposed to be using this time to train and also be keeping an eye on Kakashi, neither of which had been overly appealing to her, especially when it had been so easy to engross herself in the Icha Icha draft.

She was missing the hospital a little though and wondered if she could get away with a visit. She hadn't heard much more about those mysterious kunai and while no news was good news in her opinion, she still should be looking into how to deal with the next one when it showed up. She knew this was far from over.

Deciding a walk would probably do her some good, she put on her usual clothes and ran a hand through her messed tresses, doing nothing to tame the pink strands spiking in all directions. Deciding she was unlikely to run into anyone important anyway, she left her hair down and made her way towards the hospital.

Sakura thought that perhaps she needed to glean the insight of someone older who had experienced love before. She thought about broaching the topic with Tsunade-sama, but whenever Dan was mentioned her shishou obtained such a look of loss that Sakura didn't want to bring it up. She had no doubt her busty mentor would know exactly what it felt like to race towards the man who loved her, knowing he was likely dying, but it seemed far too painful to bring up.

Sakura thought idly of visiting Kurenai. The woman had been showered by affection from Asuma, regardless of how secretive the late shinobi had tried to be. Ino would always laugh at the unsubtle way the son of the Third would buy flowers from her. Kurenai always seemed happy to talk about her late lover, but Sakura felt a little awkward. Partly because the jounin had lost someone else close to her that week and partly because Asuma was dead. No matter how much she enjoyed talking about him, surely it would be upsetting eventually to think about someone you loved so much not being there anymore?

Sakura bit her lip and frowned. Did she know anyone who hadn't lost their partner at some point? It appeared in the shinobi world it was inevitable that one day, your loved one may not come home from a mission. Her parents were civilians, so that was out. With no one springing to mind, she sighed and stepped into the sparklingly clean hospital.

The familiar smell of disinfectant hit her nostrils as the low buzz of machines reverberated through the building. She instantly felt more relaxed and sidled up to the desk with a wave.

"Anything interesting?" She enquired.

"No, Sakura-san," Minako replied. Sakura liked the young medic. She had an easy, bright smile and long blonde hair she let fall freely around her shoulders. She reminded Sakura of Ino in looks but the young chuunin before her was the complete opposite of her obnoxious and rowdy friend.

"I thought you were supposed to have some time off?" She asked, brows knitting in a cute, confused way.

"Well, yeah, but I'm bored of my own company." Sakura gave her a shrug and walked off grinning.

"Looks like Tsunade owes me 50 ryo," Shizune remarked, coming up alongside her pink-haired junior.

"Oh?" Sakura was unsurprised Tsunade had lost yet another bet.

"It took you 3 days before you came back, Tsunade-sama gave you at least a week."

Sakura rolled her eyes. Her old mentor may as well throw her money away. "You knew it would be less than a week?" She asked her senpai, wondering whether there was an insult to her complete lack of social life hidden in this bet.

Shizune smiled at her knowingly before handing her a chart. "You can stay for an hour or two if you want, but don't let Tsunade hear you're flaking on your training." With a wave, the older medic entered a patients room, leaving Sakura to wander on over to the next.

She hadn't really glanced at the chart, so was surprised to walk in only to find Choji lying on the bed in obvious discomfort. He had no wounds that she could see and automatically drew her conclusion without even performing the examination.

"You've come in from lunch, haven't you?" She asked the Akamichi, obvious exasperation in her tone.

"I couldn't help it Sakura!" He clutched his stomach protectively as he whined.

"Ugh," Sakura sighed, "I should have stayed at home."

Ino Yamanaka liked to believe there was no kunoichi in the entire Leaf village that was as confident and courageous as she was, which was why she was furious at the fact she was currently crouched behind a garbage bin hiding from a certain lazy teammate of hers as he sauntered up the street. Honestly, could he walk any slower? She cursed silently.

Obviously the blonde knew she wouldn't be able to hide from Shikamaru forever, but it was just too soon. She could not believe she had let this happen. Try as she might, Ino still couldn't remember how her drunken attempts to seduce Sai had ended with her waking up alone with the vague memories of Nara Shikamaru moaning in pleasure underneath her. She felt the heat rise to her cheeks and sink to lower places at the thought- then chased them away appalled at herself. She did not want to remember it. She wanted to bury the whole thing in pieces deep in the Nara woods along with that bastard, Hidan.

Poking her head out from her hiding place she spied the village genius slouching off at a lazy pace that would have made Sakura's sensei proud and cursed. She didn't dare move yet in case he turned around for some reason, but the stench was becoming too much. The pungent smell was enough to make her heave and she thanked the First she didn't possess Kiba's nose at that moment.

"Umm..." she spun around and found herself looking up at her late sensei's nephew.

"Hey!" She gave him her brightest smile, figuring it would work on teenage boys the way it worked on the men she knew. "It's Konohamaru, right?'

"Um, yeah..." he scratched at his black hair, messing up the already ramshackle waves.

"You're probably wondering why I'm hiding back here," –he nodded at this- "well you see, there's this guy, and he was ever so mean to me." Ino faked a sob, putting on her best kicked-puppy act. Konohamaru clenched his fists and fixed her with a determined look, reminding her forcibly of the Leaf's knucklehead Jinchuuriki.

"It's un-gentlemanly to be mean to a lady!" He declared, and Ino had to force down the grin that threatened to take over her lips. "Point him out and I'll teach him some manners!"

Ino sent him in Shikamaru's direction and could barely contain her laughter as she watched the number one tactician of the village being accosted by a group of teenagers. Apparently Konohamaru had taken it upon himself to enlist the help of his fellow genin teammates and the Nara heir had been completely taken by surprise.

Ino was still laughing to herself happily as she made her way into Choji's hospital room. She had been completely unsurprised by the news he had again been taken in for indigestion but had decided to pay him a visit anyway. She had not, however, expected to see Forehead when she walked through the door. The laughter died as she caught sight of the pink-haired kunoichi's face. The accusation in those eyes was undeniable. She knew.

Sakura glared kunai at her oldest friend. Throwing the chart down, she didn't say a word as she brushed past her and headed for the staff room. There was no doubt in her mind that Ino would follow so she didn't slow her pace until she slammed her way through the door and ordered the few nurses who were helping themselves to coffee out.

Sakura had begun mentally gearing herself up for the fight that would no doubt come the second she realised it was Ino at the door of Choji's room, so when she spun around to let the blonde Pig have it she was amazed to see a completely defeated look in those pale eyes. The words died in Sakura's throat as she watched Ino sink into a chair and put her head in her hands.

"Go," Ino muttered piteously, "tell me I'm an idiot, yell at me for not telling you sooner, call me a pig..."

Sakura folded her arms across her chest; a little sullen Ino had stolen away her anger. Instead she sat down opposite her friend and took a few deep breaths. She remembered how she had wanted to seem more mature, so when she finally felt she was able to control her voice, she simply said, "tell me what happened."

Ino regarded her, puzzled. She ran her fingers through her long ponytail a few times before settling back in the chair with a sigh. "I don't really know... I honestly was trying for Sai."

Sakura felt her jaw clench but she managed to keep it shut. Well done, Inner-Sakura praised, in a surprised tone.

"I just don't remember anything and honestly, I was kind of ashamed."

"Of Shikamaru?" Sakura wondered out-loud.

"Yes! Well... and no...I don't know." The blonde shrugged at her and Sakura found herself letting go of her wounded pride. She had been so irritated Ino hadn't mentioned this to her when they were supposed to be best friends, but the look of complete helplessness on her face made Sakura realise her friend was just utterly confused. She looked so lost that Sakura placed a hand on Ino's knee and squeezed lightly. "I know Shikamaru is upset with himself – he doesn't want to lose you as his friend."

Ino's eyes widened. "He told you?"

"Well, in a round-about way, I kind of figured it out while he was talking."

Ino sighed. "I thought he was supposed to be smart?"

Sakura chuckled and stood up. "Want to get some tea?"

Ino smiled up at her, "please."

Sakura had no qualms about leaving the hospital after only seeing one patient. Technically she wasn't even supposed to be there and at least now she wouldn't feel guilty about abandoning the training she should have been doing. Comforting her friend was far more important than preparing herself to torture another human being.

She spent a happy afternoon sitting with Ino in their favourite tea shop, trying to figure out the easiest way for the blonde to even be in the same room as her teammate. Eventually, Sakura had convinced her to call on Shikamaru to talk it out. They were on the same team; after all, no doubt they would be forced together on a mission soon. Better to get it out of the way rather than have it cause problems later on, Sakura had mentioned pointedly. She could tell her friend was less than thrilled with the idea, but Ino had agreed reluctantly and set off, deciding she may as well get it over with.

After they had departed, Sakura realised she had nowhere to be. Everyone she might have visited would be busy training or on a mission. She could pay a visit to the bath houses or perhaps take a walk up the monument. The notion of visiting Kakashi strayed across her mind and her feet had started moving in the direction of his apartment before the thought had even finished. So surprised was she at her bodies apparent willingness to see her old sensei that she forced herself to turn around and head towards the looming faces of the five Hokages.

What had that been about?

She wandered down the streets, wondering if it was worth contemplating. She had been awfully confused by the Copy Ninja's behaviour last time they had been together and she was beginning to feel a little too comfortable around him. The man had convinced her to write porn for crying out loud. In fact, in the past week, she had probably spent more time with him than anyone else, which was just strange.

She thought back over the past year.

Kakashi came and went like the full moon. She would see him in the streets or in the Hokage tower between missions. Sometimes he would join them for lunch or training and occasionally they would all head out on a mission as Team Kakashi but that hadn't occurred in quite a long time. If she really thought about it, the two of them had probably spent time alone together perhaps a grand total of five times. She smiled as she remembered how he had sat with her for several hours on her roof top a few months back. He had clearly just come in from a mission, as his clothes were in tatters and the bags under his eyes indicated he hadn't slept properly in days, but he refused to leave when she told him to go and rest, insisting he wanted to stay and relax a while. He always seemed to show up when she needed some company, she realised, remembering how upset she had been the time before that when he had found her outside the Hokage tower staring at the sky. She couldn't even remember why she had been feeling so down on that day he had cheered her up so effectively.

She smiled to herself as she climbed the stairs. Team 7 had truly been blessed the day they received Hatake Kakashi as their sensei. He may have been the scariest thing in the world back then, but her goofy, kind-hearted sensei was a real softie deep, deep down. When he wasn't trying to humiliate her in some way.

The lazy afternoon swept around her as she climbed, a light sheen of sweat beginning to form over her forehead. Summer was drawing to a close but the temperature would only decrease when the sun sank behind the trees. She passed a few people on the way up, smiling and nodding politely as they walked by. A small family holding a picnic basket were coming down from the monument, the little boy laughing happily and skipping down the stairs when he suddenly lost his footing.

His shrill cry split the hazy silence as he clutched at a bleeding knee. His mother and father crouched beside him, trying to comfort him. Sakura smiled at the caring parents and sat in front of the little boy. "Here," she said with a smile. Placing her hand over his knee, she let the cool, healing chakra flow from her hand. The boy gasped slightly and his wide eyes lit up with the faint blue glow as his skin stitched itself back together.

"Thank you so much," the mother smiled at her.

"What do you say, Kyou?" His father asked.

The boy looked between his parents before turning large, cerulean eyes on Sakura. He smiled slightly and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

"Arigatou, nee-san."

Sakura smiled and ruffled his blonde hair. She reminded him a lot of Naruto. Stepping aside, she waved as they continued down the hillside.

Kakashi watched her with a smile which faded as quickly as it came. Everyone knew Sakura was strong, wilful and stubborn, but few understood the kindness that emanated from her. She was so good- from the top of that bubblegum pink head to the tip of her toes. He was considering heading home when he had spotted her making her way up to the monument and saw the boy fall. Had it occurred to him to help? Not really, the parents were there after all, he would have been fine. Of course Sakura stopped, she was a medic. Kakashi couldn't help feeling she would have stopped even if she wasn't.

He watched her move slowly towards his place in the trees. He had been sitting there idly for the last couple of hours, switching between reading Tactics and dozing in the afternoon heat. Ordinarily he would have set himself up on top of his sensei's spiked hair, but it was too open and he had been attracting chuunin running messages from the Hokage or ANBU like Pakkun to a biscuit barrel. The Godaime was still furious he had yet to hand in his report and ANBU were requesting he help train up a few candidates for captaincy, but Kakashi was in no mood to entertain anyone's summons today. Whereas most people would be happy to take some time off for themselves and relax, Kakashi found himself becoming increasingly frustrated. He was bored. Bored with a very controversial mission hanging over his head.

"Yo," he called out as Sakura drew level with the tree he was sprawled in. She jumped with a start and peered up at him.

"Oh, hi sensei."

He looked down at her and she stared back at him, green eyes regarding him warily. A few charged seconds past while Kakashi waited for her to speak. She tugged on her hair and apparently found something very interesting to look at around the base of his tree, for she wandered over slowly.

"Enjoying your time off?" Kakashi cocked an eyebrow at her. She was never exactly the one for small talk. At least, not with him anyway.

"For someone who is supposed to be keeping an eye on me you sure have been vacant from my life these past few days," he noted with a lazy drawl. She fixed him with a cool stare.

"Who says I haven't? My concealment skills are pretty good these days."

Kakashi grunted and turned a page. "Can't conceal smell from me, Sakura."

He felt the indignation coming off her in waves. "I do not smell!"

He chuckled. "I never said it was a bad smell."

He chanced a glance in her direction and couldn't help smiling at the confused pout. She cocked her head sideways at him. "So... what do I smell like?"

He gave an exaggerated sniff. "Right now, strongly of vanilla, jasmine and tea leaves. The Yamanaka girl always wears the same perfume, so you've been with her, probably at a tea house." He shrugged as her mouth popped open.

"That's just..."

"Cool?" He offered.

"Creepy," she countered.

She sat herself on the ground and leant back against the tree, craning her neck to look up at him. "You have a pretty cosy life, huh?"

"When I'm not getting cut open by S-Class criminals."

"Well, yeah."

They sat in silence for a while, Kakashi turning a page of his book every few minutes while Sakura picked half-heartedly at the grass around her. He wondered whether she was gearing up to ask him something or if, like him, she had nothing better to do than sit around in the sunshine.

"How's the story progressing?" He asked the top of her head.

She gave a frustrated sigh and folded her arms over her chest. Kakashi could picture the disgruntled look on her face, and when she turned to look up at him, it was the perfect resemblance of what his imagination had provided him with, complete with scrunched up nose.

"I tried, honestly, but I don't think I'm very good."

Kakashi swung his legs over the branch and lowered his book to look at her. For reasons he knew were due to serious psychological damage, he wanted Sakura to write the novel. It had occurred to him as the simplest way of understanding what she might want or need from a perspective lover, and generally make his mission a little easier. Plus, he was obsessed with finding out what little fantasies might be playing inside the head of Team Seven's little cherry blossom. He could try and pretend it was simply due to the fact he had to find out, but he had spend the last few days taking perverse pleasure in thinking about the hundreds of possibilities. She had to keep going.

"Perhaps it's something I could help you with?"

She blushed. Why, Kakashi had no idea, he just knew he wanted her to continue writing.

"It-it's actually... well, I don't think I have the necessary, umm- experience to write about... certain- ugh..."

She pulled at her hair and bit her bottom lip. Kakashi dropped down beside her as gracefully as a cat and ruffled her hair before sitting down, perhaps a little closer to her than she had been expecting given the way her eyes widened slightly when she felt his arm brush against hers.

"No experience?" he asked lightly, with an obvious lilt to his voice that she clearly didn't appreciate, judging by the scowl she threw at him.

"I just... I don't know what it feels like to be someone's whole world." Kakashi blinked at her slowly. That was quite an admission, and surely not true.

"You mean an awful lot to Naruto." He pointed out. Apparently this was not what she wanted to hear as she sighed quite loudly.

"That's not what I mean...I've never felt like someone's absolute favourite person. I don't know how to write about it because I've never known it." She shot a sharp look in his direction. "Don't you dare say anything perverted. I don't care if all you're after are cheap thrills – I want this to have a proper storyline."

Kakashi held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "For someone who wasn't too thrilled about the idea you sure are defensive about it."

She huffed at him and turned away.

He considered her a moment. A thought had popped into his head at her words but Kakashi had trained himself years ago to think things through before he said them; unless he had had far too much sake, of course. Then again, it was a simple truth, and she seemed to really need some cheering up.

"You're my favourite person," he offered, with a genuine smile and a crease to his eye.

He heard her small intake of breath and her narrowed eyes bore into his almost suspiciously. Honestly, he was almost hurt. Almost.

"What?"

"That can't be true," she stated, "you have other comrades whose company you enjoy more than mine and even though you're about as open with us as a nun's legs I'm sure you have some secret girlfriend stashed away somewhere or something."

"Pretty imagery aside- and let me assure you, Sakura-chan, that even a nun can be persuaded- there is no one I would rather waste my afternoon's with."

She gazed at him with uncertainty, a small blush creeping up her neck. Well, he wasn't exactly lying. Of all his comrades, she was certainly the least annoying, surprisingly. He didn't think she really expected much from him, so he never had to make an effort around her. Plus if he ever found himself getting bored she was always quick to anger which amused him to no end.

"Thank you," she mumbled softly, clearly taken aback by his words.

Kakashi settled back against the tree, putting his hands behind his head and closing his eye, letting the sun warm his face. He let the silence fall around them and for a time, considered taking another nap. His thoughts were becoming a little sluggish when Sakura finally broke through the quiet.

"Sensei," she asked slowly, "have you ever been in love?"

He cracked his eye open a little to consider her. She had drawn her knees up under her chin and was resting her head upon them. She had a curious yet dejected look about her and Kakashi wondered whether this was worth getting into, especially if she was thinking about bringing up Sasuke. He re-closed his eye and decided, since he appeared to be all honesty this afternoon, to answer.

"Nope."

He heard her clothes shift slightly as she lifted her head to regard him. He could feel her eyes boring into the side of his face.

"What, never?"

He shook his head slightly.

"That's... that's a little sad, sensei."

"Why?" he asked, opening his eye again and giving her his full attention.

She worried at her lip with her teeth, twirling a strand of hair around her fingers, indicating she was thinking hard about something.

"Well," she said finally, obviously contemplating each word. "You're almost 40, and you've never had a relationship where you've loved someone. It must be kind of lonely."

He supposed she was right, he was alone the majority of the time, but he rarely felt lonely. He shrugged at her. "If on the rare occasion I find myself in need of company, I go and find some."

"What, just like that?" She clicked her finger for emphasis and he smiled.

"Just like that."

She looked at him for a few moments before turning to stare unseeingly into the trees around them. "Wish I could do that," she muttered finally.

"You could," he said simply.

She shook her head. "I want a relationship sensei, not your idea of company."

"How do you know what my idea of company is?" He sat up a little straighter, letting his arms fall into his lap. She gave a derisive snort and pointed at his Icha Icha novel. He chuckled and gave it an affectionate pat.

"Nothing wrong with spending a few weeks with someone then moving on," he said matter-of-factly. She was looking at him curiously.

Thinking he may overdo it if he spent anymore time in her company today, Kakashi stood up and stretched, feeling his back crack a few times. Lying in a tree for several hours at a time and falling asleep on his couch was playing hell with his body but he doubted he would be changing his habits any time soon. He was just about to say his farewell when a bird swooped low and screeched at him.

He rubbed his head. "Guess I'm needed."

Another bird fluttered close and screeched at Sakura. They gave each other understanding glances and Kakashi waited while Sakura stood and dusted herself off. They began their descent from the monument, neither one appearing to be in much of a hurry considering their Hokage had some apparent urgent need of them. Kakashi opened his book and decided he had best keep his mouth closed as much as possible. Sakura wasn't particularly chatty at the moment which worked in his favour. She was probably mulling over his words.

Honestly, so was he. Kakashi may admire people or occasionally take a liking to someone, but he never voiced those feelings aloud, and most certainly not to the people they were about. He supposed it was necessary given the ever-looming mission but his decision to say it was still a little vague – 'because it was true' hardly seemed like a convincing argument in his mind as he often kept truths to himself. It had cheered her up a little, he supposed, and a happy teammate was always better than a miserable one.

The two didn't say a word to each other as they made their way into the Hokage Tower but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence in Kakashi's opinion. Sakura seemed so deep in thought she was hardly even aware of his presence and she blinked a few times when she found herself in front of Tsunade's office. He heard a small sigh escape her as she knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Sakura pushed her way inside and Kakashi slouched in after her.

"About time!" The Godaime snapped.

Kakashi glanced up at her. She seemed a little flustered. Scrolls were scattered around her desk of what appeared to be mission requests and shinobi profiles and several other people were standing around her. Two ninja he knew to be in the intel devision were looking rather disgruntled, the younger of the two scratching his head and leaving his long red hair sticking up in places. He noticed two rather squashed looking orange roses had been thrown haphazardly next to a coffee mug, a trail of petals making their way around the desk. Shizune seemed deeply engrossed in a book of some sort and hadn't even looked up to greet them. How rude.

"We have a small situation happening in one of the villages half a day from here. Apparently quite a lot of food and small pricey possessions were stolen last night and they need someone to pick up a trail and bring the stuff back if possible. Shouldn't take you more than a few days." The Hokage didn't even bother looking up as she rattled all this off, instead giving her attention to something in her draws. Apparently everyone was being quite rude in here today.

"I thought Kakashi-sensei wasn't supposed to be going on a mission for a few weeks?" Sakura asked, confused.

Tsunade looked up at this, eyes moving from Sakura to rest on Kakashi. He gave her a winning smile, concealed as ever by his mask. He could see the Godaime fighting to roll her eyes as she said with a nonchalant shrug, "his ninken should make light work of tracking the culprit, it was a no-brainer."

"What about Kiba-kun?" Sakura offered.

"He's busy," the Godaime snapped, "as am I." She threw a small scroll at Kakashi which he plucked from the air effortlessly.

"I expect you back in a few days," the Hokage brought her hands together and rested her chin on them, regarding her elite jounin. "Then you can resume your training." Her eyes focused on Sakura as she said this and Kakashi felt his little teammate squirm guiltily beside him. She shot him a begrudging look, clearly blaming him for her lack of motivation, which he hardly thought was fair.

"In the meantime," Tsunade continued, "Kakashi can impart his wisdom upon you."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at a smiling Tsunade. The woman was despicable.

"That will be all," she said, voice dripping with honey.

Sakura bowed, "Yes, shishou," and made her way out of the office.

Kakashi stared at the Hokage a moment longer, making sure she realised he was not impressed. She merely waved at him then turned her attention back to the shinobi around her. Trudging out, he opened the scroll. It was a basic C-Rank mission and frankly, he was insulted.

"I'm a jounin," he muttered to no one in-particular. Obviously this was Tsunade's way of making sure he and Sakura spent some time alone, and even though his more rational side agreed it was a good idea, he couldn't help feeling a little resentful at the simplicity of the mission, and the fact the Hokage thought he needed help in the first place.

"Where is it?" Sakura asked.

"Tamaji," he replied.

Sakura nodded.

They continued on in silence until they were outside. The sun was finally beginning to set and a small breeze was blowing through the village. Kakashi felt the promise of winter in the wind as it raised goosebumps on his arms. He was happy for the end of summer, not too impressed with the sticky heat he had been longing for autumn ever since spring ended. Sakura shivered beside him, rubbing her hands up and down her bare arms. Kakashi watched her for a moment before bringing his eyes to hers as she began to speak.

"So, first thing in the morning?" she asked.

"Hm?"

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Shall we leave first thing in the morning?"

Kakashi looked around before regarding the sky thoughtfully. There were a few clouds moving in, though nothing that seemed to be threatening rain. He knew if he went home he would no doubt lay around his apartment for hours before falling asleep at some unholy hour, only to wake up miserable tomorrow. He knew it was his own fault for sleeping in so late, but he enjoyed travelling at night and he was in the mood for running.

"How about we leave in half an hour?"

Sakura blinked up at him, clearly put out.

"Well... ok." As she turned away, Kakashi lightly took hold of her elbow, bringing her around to face him.

"Sakura," he began, keeping his hand on her arm. She looked at it wonderingly before turning her eyes up at him. "You and I are actually quite alike," he said with a smile. "I know to a young girl, falling in love seems like the only thing in the world worth doing, but I promise you, there is nothing wrong with being completely loved by your friends and comrades. You don't need anyone to feel validated."

She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, before grinning at him. "So I'm going to become a perverted old lady who writes porn?"

"One can only hope."

She giggled and he gave her arm a soft squeeze, smiled at her and began making his way down the street.

"Bring the draft," he called over his shoulder. He was dying to read it, even more intrigued since their conversation earlier.

Kakashi strolled down the roads of Konoha, one hand in his pocket, the other clutching his book as always. He ignored the calls of good evening as he usually did and sighed as he felt a familiar presence sidle up beside him.

"I challenge you!"

Kakashi just kept walking.

"Just like my eternal rival to act so cool!" Kakashi didn't even bother glancing up. Spend enough time with a person and you needn't look at them to tell their expression. Gai would no doubt be wearing his usual determined grin, green spandex practically glowing by the light of the lanterns.

"I'm on my way out for a mission, Gai."

"Oh!" He made several passers-by jump with his exclamation, and Kakashi suppressed a groan. He loved Gai, he was a great comrade, incredible fighter and his high spirits were often motivating in the thick of battle. There was almost no other shinobi he would trust at his back as much as Gai, save his students, but the man was almost intolerable when they were in the village.

"I wish you great fortune, my rival! I expect nothing less than victory from you!"

"Naturally," Kakashi muttered.

"Let us postpone rivalry battle number 305 until you return!"

Kakashi simply nodded. He was looking forward to it almost as much as a kunai through the chest. At least he had the pleasure of choosing this time. He half contemplated an ice-cream eating competition. He would let Gai win simply so he could laugh at the expression on the green beast's face when his sensitive teeth kicked in.

An hour and a half later, Kakashi sauntered up to the gates with a happy wave at his obviously disgruntled teammate.

"Yo," he said, making sure his voice sounded as happy as he could make it. He chuckled inwardly at her dark expression and followed as she abruptly turned and stormed through the gates of Konoha.

"Have fun," Kotetsu called, grinning at the Copy Ninja. He and Izumo clearly believed going on a mission with a grumpy Sakura would be terrible, judging by their faces, but they weren't privy to Kakashi's knowledge of the pink-haired terror. She would be fine in an hour, mostly because she could hardly fight with someone who was too lazy to respond.