It was well past midnight, and Sakura found herself sitting on a familiar bench waiting for the sun to rise. This was a habit developed over many sleepless nights. Sakura let out a long sigh, knowing it would be hours until first light. This was the bench Sasuke had placed her when he left 4 years ago. At first she would sit and wonder why it was so easy for Sasuke to leave her. Then as the years went by, Sakura found the bench comforting and peaceful.

Sakura was reading a medical book by the chakra light radiating from her hand. She started bringing a book with her to pass the time when she woke up particularly early in the night. Sakura had long ago decided to focus her energy on becoming a strong accomplished kunoichi. She had been reading for about two hours. Sakura reasoned that it was about 3 am. She closed her finished book and placed it in her bag, her mental voice scolding her for not bringing another book.

She was surprised to find her former sensei walking up to her.

"Mind if I sit?", Kakashi asked, giving Sakura an eye crinkling smile.

"I don't mind", Sakura told him.

Kakashi sat down beside Sakura giving her as much space as the bench allowed.

"Getting an early start?" Kakashi asked, pretending that he didn't know she sat in that very spot at least three nights a week.

"I couldn't sleep and it's a pretty night. What are you doing up?", Sakura asked, trying to steer the subject to anything but her lonely existence.

"I like to go for walks when everything is quiet", Kakashi told Sakura.

This was partially true, he left out the fact that he made a point to look for Sakura on his nightly walks. He would always come to the same conclusion, he shouldn't disturb her.

Tonight he found his feet carrying him to her on their own. Kakashi had always felt protective over his former student. He knew she was powerful enough to protect herself, but he couldn't help looking out for her. He knew how she wore her heart on her sleeve, and secretly scared every man away that wasn't good enough for her. That was everyone so far, himself included. He had come to terms that he cared for her as more than a student. This didn't change that fact that he was too broken to be what Sakura needed romantically. He would be Sakura's protector and friend. That was enough for him.

Kakashi couldn't stop himself and asked "Do you want to go for a walk?", he studied her face for any sign that she wanted to be left alone.

Sakura gave Kakashi a warm smile and a nod. Kakashi stood and offered her help up, which she accepted. Kakashi and Sakura walked around town discussing recent missions and Sakura's work at the hospital. They ended up at Sakura's apartment building after an hour of walking around.

"Would you like to come in for tea?", asked Sakura.

She didn't feel like walking anymore, but wasn't ready to say goodbye either. Sakura felt happy when Kakashi was around. Like all was right with the world. She didn't want this night to go back to her waiting for morning.

"Sure", Kakashi replied, also not wanting their night to end.

Sakura let them both into her apartment and went to the kitchen to make tea. Kakashi followed her into the kitchen and sat down at the small round table. He had been in her apartment several times to prepare for missions, but this felt more intimate. It was probably just the hour he told himself. Sakura set two cups on the table bringing Kakashi back to the room. He thanked Sakura and took a sip of tea.

Sakura wrapped her hands around the cup, warming them. She looked down at her tea wondering why she felt tension in the air.

"I don't work at the hospital tomorrow. I just have to see Tsunade at first light for a briefing.", Sakura told Kakashi.

Kakahi felt his chest swell with excitement, "I have a briefing this morning too. I wonder if we will be assigned to the same mission?".

"Maybe, it's been awhile since we have had a mission together.", Sakura mused.

Sakura could feel her heartbeat speeding up at the thought of more time with Kakashi. This night had caused a new tension between them. It was an exciting tension, but maybe coming from lack of sleep, she reasoned. They had both finished their tea, Kakashi moved the cups to the sink. Still not wanting to end their time together, Sakura suggested that they move to the living room. She was starting to feel sleepy but decided to fight it off. After all, if she went to sleep now she would never wake up on time.

Kakashi was internally kicking himself for not leaving. His feelings for her were going to be harder to control on a couch in the middle of the night. 'She would never think of me in that way, so this is fine', his inner voice reasoned. He just wanted to hold her close until she could sleep. What he actually did was sit on the opposite side of the couch and will his self control to last until morning.

Sakura decided that after talking about everything on their minds, it would be okay to sit down right beside Kakashi. So, she plopped down beside Kakashi, looped her arm through his, and leaned against his side. She was sleepy after all. She noticed that he was holding his breath. Sakura peaked up at Kakashi and saw that he was looking at her curiously with his uncovered brown eye. She felt her cheeks redden and looked away. She was suddenly worried that he didn't want to be so close to her.

Kakashi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and smiled behind his mask. This new closeness was worth any heartache that might follow. He was aware of the sudden smell of fear coming off Sakura. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and the other arm around her stomach, pulling her closer. Kakashi smiled behind his mask when Sakura rested her head on his chest.

"You're comfortable", Sakura pointed out, her eyes growing heavy.

"Hmmm, I'm glad." Kakashi replied.

Kakashi was the happiest he had ever been. After a few minutes he noticed that Sakura was sleeping on his shoulder. He let her sleep until the sun started to rise. He had to go to the memorial stone before receiving his mission assignment.

"Sakura? I need to go and get ready before my meeting with the Hokage", Kakashi said gently.

Sakura stirred awake, a blush rising to her cheeks. Did all of that really just happen? It felt like a dream, but here he was still next to her. She stood up, allowing him to move. He stretched, giving her a smile.

"I guess I will see you at the Hokage tower." Kakashi said.

Sakura nodded and walked with Kakashi to the door. He walked out, and turned to face her. They made eye contact making Sakura feel like she was being pulled in. She looked down, wondering if she might be going crazy.

"See you soon!" Sakura said a little louder than she had meant to and closed the door.