Morning came and Sakura is still peacefully sleeping. Kakashi can't fault her, she was exhausted from the night before. He rested his head on his propped up arm and gazed upon her sleeping face. He smirked when he noticed the marks that he left on her. She looks like a cheetah.

Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment as he observed Sakura's peaceful sleep. The morning sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. He traced the faint marks on her skin, a visual reminder of the passionate night they had shared.

His gaze softened with affection as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Sakura stirred slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she began to wake. Kakashi's smirk widened, knowing he had left his mark on her both physically and emotionally.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he whispered, his voice a gentle murmur.

Sakura blinked open her eyes, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to her. A playful smile played on her lips as she met Kakashi's gaze. "Morning, troublemaker."

Kakashi leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft morning kiss. "You're the one to talk," he mused against her lips. "You were the one causing all the trouble last night."

Sakura chuckled, her fingers tracing lazy circles on Kakashi's bare chest. "Well, I have to keep things interesting, don't I?"

Kakashi's eyes crinkled with amusement. "You certainly did that. Well, don't you have work?"

"I can call in sick today, I'll just tell them that the Hokage exhausted my... chakra last night. They won't question you."

He can feel her smile as she pressed her face in his chest. Kakashi chuckled, the vibrations resonating through Sakura's body. "As tempting as that sounds, I don't think the village would survive if you decided to take a day off every time I 'exhausted' your chakra."

Sakura sighed dramatically. "Fine, you're no fun. I'll go to work and pretend like I didn't spend the night with the Hokage." She ranted, then in a small voice, "I'm so sore."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like a scandalous affair."

Sakura grinned mischievously through the pain. "Well, considering how the elders reacted, it might as well be." She then looks at him with disbelief. "Are you that jealous, Kakashi? I can barely move." She winced as she tried to swing her legs over the edge of the bed.

He chuckled lightly and pulled her back into his arms. "Well, you asked for it. You know that the copy ninja is a possessive man."

Sakura playfully rolled her eyes. "Possessive, jealous, and a troublemaker. I must be crazy to put up with you."

Kakashi grinned, his visible eye crinkling with amusement. "Crazy in love, you mean."

Sakura sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Crazy in love. But seriously, Kakashi, do you really have to be that rough last night?"

Kakashi frown. "Did I hurt you?"

"Last night? No. Its the aftereffects that is a bum."

Kakashi's expression softened with concern. "I'm sorry if I was too rough. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Sakura laughed, though there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I can handle a little soreness. It's just a testament to your... skills."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I aim to please."

Sakura chuckled, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. "You certainly succeeded in that department."

"Good to know. I wouldn't want my lady to think that I'm getting rusty just because I'm confined in a table for most hours of the day."

Sakura laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Rusty or not, you always manage to impress. I guess being the Hokage doesn't dull your skills in certain areas."

Kakashi grinned, a playful glint in his eye. "Well, it's important to maintain a well-rounded skill set, don't you think?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you call it? A well-rounded skill set?"

Kakashi chuckled. "Let's just say I believe in being versatile."

Sakura couldn't help but shake her head in amusement. "Versatile indeed. But enough about my sore muscles and your 'versatility.' I still have to cover your marks. Why do you always have to bite, Kakashi? You're not a dog! You made me look like a cheetah." Sakura complained as she eyed the marks just below her neck.

Kakashi chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, I thought the cheetah look suited you. Adds a bit of wildness to the Hokage's lady."

Sakura mock-glared at him. "Wildness, huh? You just enjoy marking your territory, don't you?"

Kakashi grinned unapologetically. "Guilty as charged. It's my way of ensuring everyone knows you're taken."

Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "I can't believe I put up with this."

Kakashi leaned in, planting a light kiss on her forehead. "Because you love me."

Sakura smirked. "Or maybe I'm just as crazy as they say."

Kakashi chuckled. "Crazy in love, remember?"

Sakura rolled her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, yeah. I remember." Then, all of the sudden, her expression became somber. "Do we have to deal with the elders questioning us being together?"

Kakashi sighed, the weight of the political challenges still lingering in his thoughts. "I hope the village can look beyond the gossip and see the strength we bring. Both individually and as partners."

"They might or might not. What are you going to do if they don't?" She asked.

"I don't even want to think about it." Kakashi evaded her question. He extracted himself from her and left their bed. "Don't overthink, Sakura."

She nodded and got up from the bed as well. "I'll take a bath first." She informed him. "Join me?"

"I'll pass for now, its not good to have an exhausted medic on the hospital." Kakashi politely declined her.

But Sakura can see that he just wants to avoid her. He never ever declined to her shower invitations since she moved in. She can feel that he is already escaping her grasp.

"Okay." she answered. And turned to enter the bath in their room.

As Sakura entered the bath, she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that lingered from Kakashi's response. She knows that Kakashi will fight for what they have but will that be enough? The elders hold so much power that if they really going to push Kakashi's hand, what they have will be gone in a snap. She can feel her hot tears cascade down her cheeks. The morning started perfectly, how did it all boil down to this?

Sakura sat in the warm bath, the soothing water doing little to ease the turmoil in her mind. As the steam enveloped her, she couldn't shake off the unease that lingered from Kakashi's evasive response. The elders' interference and their concerns about the village's reputation weighed heavily on her thoughts.

She submerged herself in the water, allowing the heat to seep into her bones. Closing her eyes, she tried to find a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of her emotions. The rhythmic sound of water filled the silence, but the questions continued to nag at her.

"What if they push Kakashi too far?" she thought, her mind racing with scenarios. "Can our relationship withstand the pressure? Is it fair to put him through this?"

The door to the bathroom slid open, and Sakura looked up to see Kakashi entering. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of concern before he masked it with his usual nonchalant demeanor.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, already starting to remove his clothes.

Sakura nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Not at all. It's a big tub; there's enough space for both of us."

Kakashi slipped into the bath beside her, and Sakura couldn't help but be comforted by his presence. The warmth of the water and the closeness between them momentarily pushed away the troubling thoughts.

"Kakashi."

"Hm?"

"Do you mind if I return to my parent's house for a few weeks?"

"Why?" He asked.

She shrugged. "Maybe we need to have some space."

Kakashi frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed Sakura's request. He remained silent for a moment, studying her face, before finally speaking.

"Space?" he echoed, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Are you trying to leave me?"

Sakura sighed. "What if I am?" she asked. She had been thinking about it. Maybe it would be better.

Kakashi's arms snaked around her torso. "Then, I'll write an edict. You will stay with me. You can't disobey the orders of your Hokage."

"So, you'll force me to stay?" she clarified.

Kakashi's expression softened, his gaze meeting Sakura's with sincerity. "I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But I'd like to understand why you feel the need for space. We've faced challenges before, and we've come out stronger. I don't want you to feel trapped or overwhelmed."

Sakura leaned into his embrace, her head resting on his shoulder. "It's not about feeling trapped, Kakashi. It's about protecting you, protecting us. The elders are putting pressure on you because of our relationship. I don't want them to use me against you. Maybe if I step back for a while, they'll ease off."

Kakashi sighed, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on Sakura's arm. "Sakura, you don't need to step back for my sake. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to pursue you. I won't let the elders dictate our happiness. If anything, it's a test of their narrow-minded views, and I'm not one to back down from a challenge."

Sakura's eyes met Kakashi's, searching for any signs of doubt. But all she found was unwavering determination. "You really won't reconsider? Even if it means facing more challenges and criticism?"

Kakashi cupped her face, his visible eye locking onto hers. "I won't reconsider, Sakura. I value what we have too much to let it go. We'll face whatever comes our way together."

A mixture of emotions swirled within Sakura—gratitude, love, and a touch of fear. She appreciated Kakashi's commitment, but the fear of becoming a burden lingered. "I just don't want to be the reason you face difficulties, Kakashi. You have enough on your plate as the Hokage."

Kakashi pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You're not a burden, Sakura. And facing difficulties is part of being a leader. I won't let anyone, not even the elders, use our relationship against us."

"Okay." Sakura conceded. "I won't leave."

Kakashi let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

The atmosphere between them shifted, the weight of unspoken concerns lifting for a moment. Kakashi leaned in, capturing Sakura's lips in a tender kiss, a silent reassurance that spoke volumes. The warmth of the bath, the comforting embrace, and the shared vulnerability created a bond that transcended the challenges they faced.

As they soaked in the tranquility of the bath, Kakashi's fingers traced absentminded patterns on Sakura's skin. The rhythmic sounds of water and their steady breaths filled the air, creating a cocoon of intimacy within the bathroom.

Then, Sakura suddenly looked at him. "So, about those marks..." Sakura began, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"

"I think it's only fair that you get a few in return," she suggested with a sly smile.

Kakashi pretended to consider it. "Hmm, I suppose that's only fair. But just so you know, I won't be as gentle as you might like." He warned her.

Confusion color her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Its hardly fair that you're enjoying and moaning when I gave you that and I'm not."

"Here?" She asked, her eyes wide.

"Why not?" Kakashi asked. "New place to try it."

Sakura laughed; her unease momentarily forgotten. "Alright, Kakashi, you asked for it."

Sakura turned to give him her full attention. When the water started to get colder and Kakashi had numerous prominent marks on his neck and chest did Sakura stopped.

"There." Sakura triumphantly declared. "That looks good on you. Something to remember me by during the day."

Kakashi touched the marks on his neck, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I can't say you didn't warn me. It's a fair trade, I suppose."

Sakura chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just a little reminder that you're taken too. We wouldn't want any admirers getting too close, now would we?"

Kakashi laughed, the sound echoing in the bathroom. "No, we wouldn't." He pulled her into a playful embrace, their laughter mingling with the remaining warmth of the water.

"I won't let anything come between us, Sakura," Kakashi whispered, his voice a soothing melody. "We'll face whatever challenges together. And if the elders want a fight, they'll get one."

Sakura nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Together," she echoed, intertwining her fingers with his.

The water gradually cooled, and they reluctantly left the bath, the events of the morning lingering in the air. As they dried off and dressed, the weight of responsibilities and uncertainties settled back onto their shoulders.

Kakashi sighed, his gaze meeting Sakura's. "I have more meetings this afternoon. The joys of being the Hokage."

Sakura chuckled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, just remember, you have a troublesome girlfriend waiting for you at home."

Kakashi smirked, leaning in for a quick kiss. "Troublesome, but worth it."

With that, they left the bathroom, facing the day ahead hand in hand. The challenges of leadership and the complexities of their relationship lay ahead, but with unwavering commitment and the strength they found in each other, they were ready to navigate whatever obstacles awaited them.

As Kakashi headed for the village, leaving Sakura to her duties at the hospital, they exchanged a final glance filled with understanding and shared resolve.