Thirty-Eight: A Night Off

"Wow! It's so big!" Naruto exclaimed, looking up at the large ship that would serve as the meeting place for the highest-ranking nobles in the Land of Silver, as well as a vacation for the nation's wealthier members.

To Kakashi, it just looked like a disaster of a mission waiting to happen. If they got into trouble, there would be nowhere to run or hide, and seeing as they'd be out in the middle of a rather large body of water, there wouldn't be any terrain advantage in a fight.

The silver-haired jonin sighed. Maybe this time the would get lucky, and everything would go right, but when in the history of Team Seven had that ever happened to him.

"I'm getting too old for this," he muttered to himself.

"What was that? Did the great Copy Ninja Kakashi just admit that he was old?" Sakura grinned, elbowing him discreetly in the side. He hadn't realized she'd been standing next to him the whole time.

"Never," he smiled.

"Ah, good. I thought I heard you wrong there," she joked, before turning away to help Sai with his outfit.

They were lucky Ino and Tenten had an obsession with Western fashion, so Sakura at least had a general idea of how they were supposed to look. If they were going to pretend to be regular guests on the ship, then they would have to pretend like they belonged with the upper class. In their last meeting with Lord Sasaki, the man had told Kakashi and Yamato that Lord Hanada—the man hosting this meeting of nobles—was obsessed with bringing a more modern style of living to the Land of Silver.

"How long is this thing supposed to last?" Sasuke asked, coming up to stand by Kakashi after Sakura had left.

"Five days."

"Hn. That's doable."

Sasuke shifted slightly, and Kakashi could tell the boy wanted to ask him something, but didn't know how to bring it up. The silver-haired shinobi sighed. His old student reminded him too much of himself sometimes.

"What is it, Sasuke?"

"Hn?"

"You want to ask me something, I can tell."

Sasuke's face reddened slightly. "It was Naruto's idea."

Kakashi sighed. That was generally a dangerous phrase to start out with. He mentally braced himself for whatever his idiot students wanted this time.

"Yes?"

"Well, we figure Teiji Sasaki will probably ask Sakura to be assigned to him, and we…er, Naruto thinks that it might not be a good idea to have her guard him. You know, because he could get in the way of our mission."

Kakashi grinned, not bothering to hide it under his mask, much to Sasuke's dismay as the raven-haired boy turned a shade redder. He enjoyed Sasuke's apparent discomfort for only a few seconds longer before he took pity on his former student and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"You can tell Naruto not to worry. I'll take care of it."

"Okay, here is the plan," Kakashi said once they had all boarded the cruise ship and dropped off their things in their respective rooms.

Because they looked similar, Sasuke and Sai were posing as siblings for the trip, and were therefore sharing a room. Kakashi just hoped the two didn't kill each other without Naruto around to break them up, but it was important for at least two members of their team to be able to interact with each other in public and not be suspicious. Everyone else had their own separate rooms in different sections of the ship to better patrol the area.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

All five members of Team Kakashi shook their heads.

"Good. Then let's go meet the Sasakis. I think we're already an hour late."

If Tanosuke Sasaki was irked by their tardiness, he didn't say anything, and other than a slight tick of his jaw—which Sakura was beginning to think was normal—he seemed like he didn't care that he had been waiting for the hired ninja for more than an hour.

"Hm, sorry we're late," Kakashi said, scratching the back of his head with a smile, but Sakura didn't think he looked that sorry. "We're here to go over the plan we've come up with. As a condition for us coming on this trip, we expect that you will listen to our expertise in this situation."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. That was a new one. Kakashi didn't normally tell their clients they had to listen to him. Then again, most of their clients listened to him anyway, so there hadn't really been any need. She rolled her eyes. The Sasakis were certainly different that most of the other nobles from the Land of Fire that they'd been assigned to as guards.

"With the exception of myself, the members of Team Seven will be stationed around each of the Sasaki children, to keep an eye on them. With each royal family having their own guards with them at all times in the meetings, we don't expect Lord and Lady Sasaki to be a target. However, I will pose as a samurai and stay with them and Captain Osaki as backup just in case."

Osaki nodded, seemingly satisfied with that arrangement. He was confident in his own abilities, but it never hurt to have the famed Copy Ninja around.

"Sai here will serve as the guardian for the youngest, while Naruto will watch Yumi. Because she is closest in age, and it will not seem strange for them to interact, Sakura will guard Benni, and Yamato will guard Toshizo. Sasuke will guard Teiji."

"That's not necessary. I don't need a guard," Teiji said quickly.

You wouldn't be saying that if it were Sakura guarding you.

Kakashi smiled. "We hope none of you need guards, but if you are going to go on this cruise despite our warnings, then we are going to be prepared for the worst."

Teiji looked like he was going to protest further, but one disappointed look from his father shut him up quickly.

"Very well. We accept your proposal, Kakashi Hatake," Lord Sasaki said, nodding slightly.

Kakashi nodded back. "Then we shall see you tomorrow."

The members of Team Seven turned to leave, but a small voice stopped them.

"I know you're working, but please feel free to enjoy yourselves while you're here. I know this mission hasn't been the easiest for you," Saya Sasaki said.

Sakura frowned, fairly sure that she'd never heard the Sasaki matriarch speak.

"Thank you," Kakashi said. "We'll keep that in mind."

"Hn. Doesn't she know we're ninja? Ninja don't get to take breaks and enjoy themselves on missions," Sasuke said as soon as they were out of hearing range.

"It was nice of her to offer, though," Naruto said.

"She does seem to be much nicer than her male family members," Sai observed. "Maybe not all women are like Sakura."

"What was that Sai?" Sakura growled, turning instantly on the dark-haired shinobi.

"Don't hit him Sakura! He's just teasing you!" Naruto yelped, but it was too late. Sai had already gone sprawling across the floor.

"You know, I'm pretty sure you're only proving his point, Sakura," Kakashi said gently.

"What did you say, Hatake?"

The Copy Ninja held up his hands and gave her an eye crinkle, hoping to avoid the same fate as his pale teammate.

"Nothing, Sakura. You're the most amazing girl I've ever met. And the kindest and the prettiest too."

"That's what I thought you said."

"Gee. You're laying it on a little thick, don't ya think, sensei?" Naruto muttered under his breath, shooting a look at the silver-haired jonin.

Yamato raised an eyebrow at his old ANBU partner, but thankfully didn't say anything more. Kakashi didn't really know why he'd added the last bit about her being pretty, but he knew once his teammates started teasing him about something he would never hear the end of it.

"Eh, let's just head back and get a good night's sleep."

"Are you kidding me? We've got a whole night before this mission starts and we're on a cruise ship for rich people! We've got to take advantage of that while we can, right Sasuke? Sai?"

"Um, sure," Sai said, totally unaware of what Naruto was getting him into.

"Hn. I guess it can't be helped. Neither of you can hold your liquor, so someone has to make sure you two make it back in one piece."

"That's just an excuse. Everyone knows you really want to see the cruise ship too," Naruto grumbled, but didn't press his best friend.

"Come on, let's go," Sasuke said nonchalantly.

"You're coming too, right Sakura?" Naruto asked.

The medic laughed. "Of course. I'm not mean enough to leave Sasuke alone with you two."

"Aw, Sakura."

"It is true though, Naruto."

"Sai! You're supposed to be on my side! That's you she's talking about too, ya know!"

"We do have a mission tomorrow," Kakashi said, calling after his old students as they walked away. "A good night's sleep is important on a long—oh they aren't listening to me are they?"

"You know, they are adults now," Yamato said teasingly.

"Don't say that Tenzo. It makes me feel old."

"Only old people need sleep, Kaka-sensei," Sakura yelled, waving back at the two jonin. "See you in the morning!"

"O-okay. How about that one, Sakura!" Naruto said drunkenly, pointing to another patron around their age who had just walked into the bar.

The four shinobi hadn't really planned on having so many drinks, but they'd been amazed at the bar's selection, considering it was on the upper deck of a cruise ship. But they should have known a ship for rich people with a luxury pool on the inside of the bar would have better choices than even Lady Tsunade's hidden stash in Hokage Tower. And stronger ones too.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Sakura knew they'd had too much, because even she and Sasuke were feeling the numbing effects of the alcohol, but she couldn't bring herself to care.

That's the alcohol.

"Hmmm…." Sakura scrutinized the blonde boy walking in. "Eh, I'd give him a five or a six. I'm not a big fan of blondes."

"Eh? Why not!" Naruto exclaimed, standing up and slapping the table. "I'm blonde!"

"And I don't like you! At least not like that, as I've told you every time you ask me out on a date!"

"Sakura."

"Oi! You shouldn't be bringing that up, idiot," Sasuke smirked. "What would Hinata think, mm?"

Now Sakura knew they were drunk. Even Sasuke was joining in their little game.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make," Sai said, his face suddenly growing grim as he stood.

"What is it Sai?" Sakura asked, trying not to slur her words as much as possible. She didn't succeed.

That's also the alcohol.

"I think I am in love."

The three original members of Team Seven sat in stunned silence for a few minutes before Naruto was finally able to blurt out series of incoherent statements before settling on a "What?"

"I said I think I am in love."

"With who?"

"With that," Sai said, pointing straight ahead of him.

Sasuke and Sakura squinted, trying to see what Sai was looking at.

"Huh? Eh, Sai, that's a tree!" Naruto gave him a funny look. "You've been spending too much time with Captain Yamato."

"Not the tree, loser, behind it," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes and promptly making himself sick from the sudden movement.

"What? Oh. Wait, that's a statue!"

"Yes, the art is very beautiful. I want to paint it."

"Um, Sai, how much have you had to drink?" Sakura asked, slightly concerned that her friend might have alcohol poisoning.

He shrugged, and Sakura was too drunk to really care.

"So, Sakura," Naruto said, sliding closer to her conspiratorially. "Now you've got to give us the details."

"Hm? The details on what?"

"Kakashi-sensei. What's he like?"

"You know what he's like Naruto. He's our team leader."

"No! I mean like really like. You've been ANBU partners with him Sakura! You would know! Come on, tell us!"

Even Sasuke and Sai looked interested, and Sakura couldn't resist when all three of them were giving her that look.

She giggled. "Well, he's weird. And funny. And he reads that stupid book all the time!"

"Aw, we already knew Kaka-sensei was weird! What else?" Naruto asked.

"I don't know! He's really serious when it comes to his teammates, but more laid back and trusting than I've seen him before—quit asking me questions!"

Sakura always had been an angry drunk, Sasuke remembered. He was about to voice that opinion out loud when the small part of him that was still capable of valuing self-preservation stopped him.

Naruto giggled. "Hehe, but you still think he's weird."

"Alright, I think you four have had a little too much fun tonight," a familiar voice said from behind them.

"Kakashi-sensei! Where'd you come from?"

"Behind you. If you weren't so drunk, you'd have sensed my presence."

"Hehe, Sakura said you're weird, Kaka-sensei!"

"N-no I didn't!" Sakura said quickly, her face turning as pink as her hair.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. She was really drunk—more drunk than he'd ever seen her.

"Yes you did."

"Shut up Sai!"

"There's no use lying about it, Sakura," Naruto slurred. "Besides, we all knew Kakashi-sensei was weird!"

"I hate you, Naruto!" Sakura whined, grabbing onto Sasuke's arm and burying her face in it to hide her embarrassment.

Sasuke looked down at the pink-haired girl clutching his arm, and back to his teammates. His brow furrowed as he glanced between them again.

"I don't get what the big deal is. You have to be weird to be on this team."

Kakashi's other eyebrow joined the first. He knew his team was really far gone when even Sasuke Uchiha was drunk.

"Except for Captain Yamato," Naruto pointed out.

"Perhaps that is why he is always sighing around us," Sai said.

"Okay, I think it's time you guys all went to bed. And I don't want to hear any complaints about hangovers in the morning. Just remember, I tried to warn you," Kakashi said.

"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke said, waving him off. "I'm not drunk."

The raven-haired Uchiha stood up, only to stumble and slink back down on the bar stool as all the blood rushed from his head and his vision temporarily blacked out.

Naruto laughed. "You're drunk, admit it Sasuke!"

"Hn. I am not, loser!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Shut up!" Sakura drawled, slamming her hands down on the table. "What are you guys, four? Get a grip!"

"Fine. There's no need to be so mean about it, Sakura," Naruto whined, but he and Sasuke helped Sai to his feet, and started stumbling back toward their rooms together.

"Well, guess I'd better go too then!" Sakura said, swaying slightly on her feet when she got up.

"That would probably be best," Kakashi said lightly, although he was slightly disappointed at how far gone his four teammates had allowed themselves to get. If he had been an enemy, he would have easily been able to capture or kill them as they sat oblivious to their surroundings.

"Sorry I called you weird, sensei—er, Kakashi. That's weird. I don't know why I called you sensei. It's probably from being around Naruto too long. He still calls you sensei." Suddenly her face lit up, like she'd come to some brilliant conclusion.

She turned to him, a giant grin on her face. "I think I'm drunk!"

Kakashi resisted the urge to bang his head against the nearest wall. They were supposed to be the best team in the entire shinobi world, but really they were a bunch of idiots, although he knew he probably had to include himself in that mix.

"Yes Sakura, I think you are."

"Oh. Well I should go to bed then. Gotta be up bright and early for the mission tomorrow, you know!"

"Yes we do."

"Okay! Then I'll see you tomorrow! Sorry again about calling you weird. I meant it in a good way!"

Kakashi nodded as she started to walk away, but that was before he noticed the group of men staring at her. It wasn't a secret that the dress Sakura was wearing accented her physical features perfectly, and Kakashi decided he didn't like the way she was being stared at. The men looked like a pack of hungry lions, and he knew a girl who appeared as drunk as Sakura would be seen as an easy target.

It wasn't that he was worried she wouldn't be able to defend herself; if anything, it was the exact opposite. A drunk Sakura probably wouldn't be able to control her strength, and she might end up blowing a hole in the ship if left to her own devices. And she'd probably kill the men too, and that would be difficult to explain.

So it was for no reason other than that, Kakashi told himself, that he reached out and took her wrist, pulling her back closer to him, before shooting the group a glare. His stare must have been formidable, because they all blanched away, and turned their attention elsewhere.

"I'll walk you back," Kakashi said curtly when Sakura sent him a questioning glance, but he didn't let go of her hand until she was safely back in her own room with the door locked behind her.