A/N I will admit, I love this chapter.

Chapter 8

Sakura

Fifty-eight days into the past

Sakura walked back to her apartment late that night with a sad smile on her face. She had left Naruto with a fridge full of meals he had helped her make. Cooking with her had been the highlight of his week, apparently. For a child that ate nothing but instant meals, spending time with a caring adult making real food had been an exciting novelty. On their way home from Ichiraku, he had practically begged her to come over next week and do it again.

Would it be ok if she did? It would be tremendously helpful if she knew how long she was going to be stuck in the past. She had a foggy memory of someone mentioning that Naruto had been drinking spoiled milk in his cup ramen the morning they had met as team seven the first time. It was long after the day itself and said in jest, but surely that wouldn't have happened if she was still there taking care of him. It wouldn't hurt anything to take care of him while she could.

Approaching Kakashi's door, she could hear shouting already. What the hell? She let herself in and followed the noise… to the bathroom.

"I told you, Kakashi, that was a long time ago! I was a small child. Mine has grown quite a lot. I have never had any complaints from the ladies." Sakura's eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sound of Gai-sensei's boisterous voice declaring… well, what she thought he was declaring.

"Yeah right… What ladies? Eh? Look at that. Still have plenty on you, I bet…" Kakashi's voice was slurred and he was snickering. Blushing furiously, now positive they were talking about what she thought they were, Sakura stood outside the bathroom, mortified. The door was wide open, they were standing shoulder to shoulder, Gai supporting Kakashi's weight, as they both stood in front of the toilet. "I bet you never even ever used that with a real lady."

"I'll have you know, Kakashi, that I was with a most beautiful woman just two nights ago. She had long blonde hair, perfect breasts, and was overflowing with praise for my performance!"

This was not happening.

Kakashi shook his head. "Pfffft—No way."

Gai barked a laugh. "What about you, my eternal rival? When was the last time you made use of that unnecessary monster? I don't think I have ever seen you leave the bar with any maiden, fair or otherwise."

Kakashi made a weak attempt to push Gai from his side. "Shuddup."

She had heard enough. She had heard way too much, in fact. Straightening, she coughed loudly. Two heads swung around to stare at her. Gai clearly did not know her but Kakashi smiled brightly to see her. "Sakuuku— Hana-chan! You're here!" He twisted in Gai's grip attempting to get to her—thankfully he had already put himself away—and would have stumbled if his friend had not caught him.

"Oh no… Wash your hands before you touch me, thank you very much, Kakashi-san."

He pouted but allowed Gai to haul him to the sink. Once he'd finished, Gai helped him from the bathroom where he promptly threw himself at her. Luckily for him she was much stronger than the average woman. "I'm so glad you're back, Hana-chan! I missed you!"

Over his head, she glared at Gai. "What is wrong with him? I left him totally sober and laying in bed. And where is Tenzō? I thought he was going to be here tonight?"

Gai laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "I am Maito Gai and I do not know any 'Tenzō'." He winked excessively. "But an ANBU op did stop by this afternoon, and asked if I could help look after Kakashi tonight. After I helped him to the bathroom the first time, he was in a lot of pain. He found the painkillers you brought from the hospital, and took some. I am not a medic, Hana-san, but I believe he took too much."

"Oh fuck." She had indeed brought more morphine injections in case he needed them. Helping him back to his bed, Sakura pushed his hands away and opened the bedside table where she had put them. Two whole syringes were missing. No, not missing—lying empty on the floor.

"Kakashi-san, you took twice the dose I had measured for you, and you'd already had some today. No wonder—"

"Hana-chan…" Kakashi had grabbed ahold of her hands, staring up at her with one wide, shining eye. "Will you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be alone. I don't like my nurse." He pulled a face at Gai, the effect dramatically lessened thanks to his mask. "He was making fun of me."

Sakura laughed, looking back at a confidently grinning Gai. "It sounded to me like you were the one making fun, Kakashi-san."

Gai's grin faltered but then he stuck out his chest, propping his fists on his hips. "He is merely suffering under the effects of powerful painkillers. I did not take his words to heart." He gave Sakura a flirtatious wink. "Besides, like I told him, I have plenty of luck with the ladies. In fact, Hana-san… you are extremely beautiful. If you are not busy tomorrow night, I'd be delighted to take you out and show you exactly what I mean."

Sakura's mouth fell open and her face burned, her shocked gasp drowned out by Kakashi's far too aggressive response. "Gai— you keep your almond-having, jumpsuit-wearing, hands to yourself. My Hana-chan isn't interested."

Gai burst out laughing again as Sakura pushed the drugged Kakashi from her person. "I'm sorry, Gai-san. I am going to be busy with this one for the next week at least. Maybe another time?" Not that she was seriously interested. The idea of going home with Gai-sensei was all kinds of wrong.

Clearly displeased by her answer and by her attempt to free herself from him, Kakashi pouted. "You'll go out with him, but not me?" He tsk'd. "That's not fair, Hana-chan. I saw you first."

She rolled her eyes and finally stood. "You've never asked!" Please let him not remember any of this in the morning!

Ignoring her sulking patient, Sakura forced a smile on her face and turned her attention to Gai. "Did the ANBU op say whether or not he would be here tomorrow?"

Chuckling softly and watching his friend, Gai nodded. "Yes, said he would be here in the morning but asked if I minded coming by to see if you needed anything from time to time. I have a mission the day after tomorrow but it should only last a few days." He suddenly sobered, looking at her with serious, worried eyes. "Will he still need such assistance by then? Just how badly did he hurt himself this time?"

With a start, Sakura wondered if Kakashi knew how many people actually truly cared about him. "He didn't 'hurt himself' this time. He took a hit meant for a younger teammate. But it was bad. If I hadn't gotten to him when I did, he wouldn't have made it."

Gai frowned. "He can be such a reckless idiot." Suddenly his face cleared and he looked at her appraisingly. "I have heard about you from the Hokage, and another medic friend of mine. Trained by the legendary Lady Tsunade herself, you are an extremely talented medic." He nodded. "I trust that Kakashi will make a full recovery in your capable hands. I will see you in a few days. Farewell!"

After Gai-sensei's hasty retreat, Sakura let out a tired sigh and turned back to Kakashi. He was laying on his bed, blanket pulled up around his head, watching her with a pathetic pout. Rolling her eyes, she sat back down beside him. "Do you need anything else tonight, Kakashi-san?"

He huffed. "Don't go out with Gai."

She scoffed. "Who I go out with is none of your business." Even though she wished it was.

He is not for you.

"Tch. Fine. Will you at least stay? What if I need you in the middle of the night?"

Satisfied that his speech was at least no longer as slurred, Sakura patted him on the head. "I was already planning on it. I have a spare futon at my place. Let me go brush my teeth and I'll get it and be right back. Please, do not try to get up again."

He nodded, apparently satisfied, and made himself comfortable. "Goodnight, Sakura-chan."

Watching him for just a moment—to be sure he was asleep—Sakura blushed. Why did he have to be so interested in her? It was really making it hard for her when all she wanted to do was give in. He better hurry up and meet his wife already.

He did, in fact, need her in the night. Sometime around two in the morning Sakura woke up to the terrifying sound of him aspirating. Throwing back her blanket, she scrambled over to his side and tore down his mask, pulling his whole body onto his side. His eyes fluttered and he gripped her wrists tightly as he coughed, and vomited, and finally breathed again.

Once he was out of danger, she rocked back on her heels and stared at the mess. He was panting and watching her through a tired eye. "Well, I guess after I clean this up we'll be even."

He huffed a brittle laugh, letting go of her wrists and wiping at his eyes. "Nah… I did call one of my ninken. You were right, they do eat anything."

Sakura scoffed. "You are unbelievable!" She smacked lightly at his shoulder only to notice he was still chuckling.

"Joking… I'm joking."

"Tch. You're just lucky I was here."

When he sleepily reached for her again, her heart clenched at the familiarity she shouldn't be allowing, but did anyway. Toying with a lock of her hair, he sighed. "You saved me, again, Sakura. I'm glad you're here…"

KSK

Kakashi

Fifty-nine days into the past

When Kakashi woke the next morning, it was to the comforting touch of Sakura's chakra on his person. She was kneeling beside his bed, eyes closed and brow furrowed, as she worked to fix him.

Her hands were on his right hip and upper thigh—probably why she hadn't bothered to wake him. He seemed to remember her telling him that he had muscle damage and micro fractures all over. The bones had been healed, but the muscles were still weak. Maybe if she focused on his legs first, he wouldn't need Gai's help in the bathroom anymore.

Gai…

Hadn't he been there? Kakashi frowned up at the ceiling and tried to remember the night before. Tenzō was supposed to come but he hadn't been able to make it. By the time Gai had gotten there, he had had to pee so bad he didn't care who helped him so long as he got to the bathroom. Then the pain—all over his body and throbbing—hit him at once. Gai had helped him back to bed and he had scrambled for the morphine he knew Sakura had left in the drawer.

Thoughts clouded by the pain, he had stupidly used two whole syringes. Everything after that was a blur. He did feel a lingering irritation towards Gai, and for some reason he felt like he should be embarrassed.

Without moving his head, Kakashi looked down at Sakura. Her eyes were open now. When she felt his gaze on her, she blushed faintly and looked away.

Yep. Definitely embarrassed.

It was probably for the best that he didn't remember.

"How are you feeling this morning, Kakashi-san?"

He sighed. For some reason that morning, he wished she'd drop the honorific and just call him Kakashi.

"Fine. My vision is still a little off and I'm sore… what's that smell?"

She sighed, rocking back on her heels, a small hopeful smile on her face. "You don't remember?"

Frowning at her, he shook his head, only then noticing he wasn't wearing a shirt or mask.

"You nearly drowned in your own vomit last night. I saved you, of course, but it got all over the bed and floor. I stripped the sheets and got you a clean blanket, but I wasn't about to scrub the mattress and carpet in the middle of the night."

"Oh…" His hand moved automatically to her hair, twisting a bit around his fingers. "Sorry about that."

He thought her smile looked a bit sad as she gently disentangled his hand from her hair and placed it beside him on the bed. "It's OK. I've dealt with way worse at the hospital."

They lapsed into silence after that and she went back to working on his legs. It was probably for the best that he couldn't remember the night before. If he'd been stupid on morphine, there was no telling what he might have done or said.

A blonde little boy suddenly popped into his mind. Oh ya. He had almost forgotten he'd asked her to check on Naruto. "Sakura-chan—" She glanced over at him, but besides the lingering pink on her cheeks, she did not comment on his more familiar address. "How was Naruto?"

A genuine, happy smile spread across her face. "We had a lovely time yesterday. I met him at the academy and took him to the market for some shopping. All that kid eats is cup noodles." She shook her head. "He really enjoyed helping me cook and he should have real food for at least a week. And then I took him for ramen."

He imagined her standing in Naruto's kitchen, helping the little blonde squirt make dinner. Something about the image made him want to smile, and maybe join them next time. He opened his mouth to suggest just that, but her face had fallen into an angry frown.

"I don't understand why no one's looking after him properly. He's just a little boy. He needs someone around all the time. Not just when you have a few hours to spare between missions. Does no one else ever look in on him? Before I met him at the academy, I went to his apartment. He hadn't anything clean to wear and he is definitely surviving off cup ramen and anything he picks up at the convenience store."

She threw her hands up in the air and glared at him as if everything were his fault. "There's no one to make sure he brushes his teeth or to tuck him in at night. Honestly I'm surprised, considering what they did to you, that they haven't used him in the same way considering what he is. In Suna…" She shook her head and sighed. More future information she couldn't share.

"When I was a kid, I always thought he was annoying. All he ever wanted was to be my friend…" She wiped her eyes. "Everyone treated him like a nuisance, I didn't ever even try to be nice to him. Not until… well, he's my best friend now, but it took a long time to get there. I never thought about what his childhood might have been like until years after I'd known him so well."

She lapsed into silence and Kakashi felt the weight of his own guilt about Naruto. He was his sensei's son. He should have been there for him more, but he hadn't. Another in a long line of personal failures. How the Hokage would ever think to trust him with a team of genin was beyond him.

As if sensing his thoughts, she reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "He was never your responsibility, Kakashi-san. You were only thirteen when the Fourth died, and probably dealing with plenty of your own trauma. I don't think anyone expected you to take on the responsibility of an infant. You shouldn't feel guilty for not being in a place to worry about him until recently. If anyone's to blame, it's the Hokage and the council. They're the ones failing Naruto, not you."

Kakashi blinked hard and nodded, unable to look her in the eye. "I guess…"

She squeezed his hand again. "He was worried about you. Maybe when you're back to normal, we can go see him together?"

He wanted to do that and opened his mouth to say so, but Tenzō picked that moment to knock on his door.

"Oh," Sakura dropped his hand and went to answer the door. Kakashi immediately missed her touch.

KSK

Sixty-five days into the past

For the next week, Kakashi's routine varied very little. He would wake and let Sakura heal him a bit until Tenzō got there. The younger shinobi would help him in the bathroom, and then it was back to bed. More rest, more healing, bland meals and—when Sakura would leave him alone with Tenzō for a bit in the afternoon—some reading.

He hated everything about the mandatory bedrest—except having Sakura around almost constantly. When he wasn't sleeping, they talked about all sorts of unimportant things. She got on well with Tenzō, too; someone she begrudgingly admitted to knowing well in the future.

Spending so much time with the beautiful, pink-haired medic only solidified his feelings about her. Kakashi definitely liked her. And the more time they spent together, the more comfortable he became with those feelings. The only thing holding him back from asking her out was her increasingly blatant struggle with her attraction to him.

Every time there would be a moment, every time he would touch her or she would touch him, every time he would think there was something between them, she would get this sad look in her eyes and pull away. If it had only been once or twice, he might have brushed it off—but it kept happening. It was clear they had the chemistry that Genma was always talking about. It was clear to him at least that she liked him too.

But something was holding her back.

From a handful of comments she'd made early on, he got the sense that something about his future was the problem. While that did not bode well, he could not seem to bring himself to care. He just… wanted her.

And apparently, he wasn't even being subtle.

Tenzō—socially underdeveloped even compared to him—had noticed, and commented. When Gai had returned, he had made an irritating amount of romantic overtures towards Sakura—something she bore patiently and with apparent humor—sending Kakashi smug looks every time she wasn't looking. Apparently this was going to be another one of their endless competitions.

And, the jumpsuited menace had a leg up. She was not making intentional efforts to put Gai off. Even though Kakashi could see she wasn't actually interested, she hadn't once explicitly said no to any of his invitations. The whole thing was driving him crazy.

By the end of the week, Kakashi felt like he might combust. Gai had continued to drop by even after he was no longer needed, and Sakura hadn't seemed to mind in the least. If anything, Kakashi got the feeling she liked having someone else there as a buffer between them. While she obviously wasn't required to return his feelings, her mixed signals were getting to him.

Finally able to get up and walk for a reasonable amount of time, Kakashi resolved to confront her. He would ask her out for dinner—something he actually owed her date or not—and tell her how he felt. He told himself that it would be ok when she let him down, hopefully easy. At least he was pretty confident he would be ok without her nursing now when he made things awkward.

Unfortunately, Gai seemed to sense his intent. When he stopped by that afternoon as usual, he had made a completely serious offer of dinner the next evening. Maybe it was the tension she no doubt felt coming from Kakashi, but she agreed. She had stressed that it was just dinner and that she wanted no part of whatever he'd been implying the other night.

What was that about?

Judging by the devious smirk Gai had sent him before leaving, Kakashi decided he didn't want to know.

Either way, he was in a dark mood the rest of the day, and Sakura must have noticed. Once she was certain he would be okay on his own, she said something about needing to find Aiko, and left.

Wonderful. Not only had Gai asked her out first, Kakashi had managed to scare her off for who knew how long. He spent the rest of the day sulking, making half-hearted attempts at reading Icha Icha and wishing he could expend his nervous energy in a spar. Preferably against Gai.

Eventually, he gave into temptation and dug out his cigarettes. It was getting late and he didn't think she was coming back that night. So he watched the sun set over the village from his balcony, cigarette hanging from his lips.

"It can't be that bad." Tenzō dropped down onto his balcony , sliding into the other chair.

Kakashi let out a long puff of smoke and sighed. "Gai asked Hana out to dinner tomorrow night." He could feel his frustration rising again as he bit out, "She said yes."

"Hmm." Tenzō reached for the box of cigarettes on the small table between them, shaking one out. "That is pretty bad." He stood quietly beside Kakashi for a while, probably thinking of the best response. This wasn't the kind of conversation they usually had. "Would you like me to kill him?"

Kakashi huffed a laugh, despite his irritation. "Nah… I don't think she's really interested, so it wouldn't be worth it."

"I could maim him? Just enough so he'd have to stand her up."

"No…" Kakashi stamped his cigarette out in the small, dog shaped ashtray and sighed. "Then she might be upset. I don't want her to go out with him, but I don't want to be a jerk about it."

He glanced up at Tenzō, doing a double-take at the look on his face that clearly said, 'you're an idiot.'

"What?"

"Obviously, you would pick her up instead. Didn't you mention the other day that you owe her a meal anyway? Make up some excuse for Gai and take her out in his place."

Kakashi blinked stupidly at his friend. Why hadn't he thought of that?

"I understand my interactions with women are extremely limited, so I asked myself what Genma would do."

Laughing, Kakashi returned the second cigarette to the box, and tugged up his mask. "Well, he would know." He leaned against the railing. "Where is he, anyway? Hana said he wasn't hurt half as bad as I was."

Tenzō sighed. "He knows that and is taking full advantage of the time off. Apparently there is more than one nurse at the hospital that he can, and I quote, 'sweet talk into giving him extra attention.' Whatever that means."

Kakashi nearly choked. "Pudding. They give him extra pudding."

Beside him, Tenzō looked like he wanted to roll his eyes. "Right. Well that's where he is. Dragging out his hospital stay as long as possible and enjoying lots of… pudding."

"Bastard. If he's been cleared, he should be training. We won't be on medical leave forever."

"I said as much, but I'm not his captain so I can't make him do anything."

Standing and stretching, Kakashi sighed. "Well, I'm doing much better. I'm sure Hana will let me get back to work soon. Enjoy the time off, Tenzō."

He nodded. "So, am I breaking a leg or poisoning Gai?"

Kakashi laughed as he headed back inside, pausing halfway through the door. "Don't actually hurt him. Maybe just… hold him up. He is supposed to pick her up at seven."

A/N We're so close fam!