Oh man, this one really took me out. As usual, I am not a native speaker please consider this, while reading. I am trying. :D

Still I hope you enjoy this new Chapter. ^-^

Chapter 13

It is late when he enters the room intended for him. *Puff* and a cloud of smoke surrounded his now visible grey hair. He opens his balcony door and then goes into the bathroom. The clothes he was previously wearing on his body fall to the floor one after the other. His lungs slowly filled with air as he inhaled deeply. The hot water that ran down his body was just as necessary as the peace and quiet to think. The interaction with Tsunade was on his mind. How could he be so rude, and to Tsunade too. What had got into him? But on the other hand, it was about Sakura, and he just couldn't and didn't want to understand how Tsunade could be so careless. She put Sakura in danger. She is pretty defenceless right now and if something were to happen to her child, he didn't even want to imagine it. Only one thing was certain, he would follow her wherever she went.

It was a really strange day. Since his conversation with Tohaya this morning, Kakashi had been tense and annoyed, and his conversation with Tsunade didn't put his mind on ease, on the contrary, his tension only became more obvious to her afterwards. No matter what she tried, he didn't want to talk to her about it.

She was all the more surprised when his balcony door was open for her. The shower was still running when she let herself in and dropped her bag. She needed to talk to him, but first she needed a shower herself, so she sat down on his bed and waited for Kakashi to clear the bathroom. This bed already smelled like him, his scent was so subtle that you needed to be very close to it, to actually smell it. She's never met anyone who smelled so good. A small smile crossed her pink lips. The night sky was just beautiful, and she couldn't think of anything close to it.

"Are you done?" She asked, as soon as Kakashi stepped out of the door.

"Sorry for making you wait, I needed that shower." He said, he could smell her before he could sense her. That was really impressive, but she was always the best at her chakra control. Sakura turned around, and a hot flush went through her head. He wasn't wearing his mask. In fact, he was only wearing a towel, his hair was still wet and not as fluffy as usual. She hated it, when he practically wore nothing.

"No, problem, as long as I can take a hot shower myself."

"Do as you like." He said, pointing to the bathroom door. She jumped up, took her bag and went into the bathroom. The sound of water came from the bathroom, and Kakashi put on some shorts and a tank top. He didn't bother to put on a mask. Sakura had already seen his face and he trusted her completely, so he didn't find it necessary. The soft material of the bed was touching his face, as he laid down to wait for Sakura. She will probably want to talk to him. He was very dismissive to her today, and he could slap himself for it. He only had so little time with her anyway, and he wasted it with his unnecessary stubbornness. Why was he like that? Why was he getting in his own way again?

She sensed his seething, it was obvious. His body was tensed, and he looked up at the ceiling. His fists were clenched. She hated to see him in this state.

"Are you OK?" She asked as she leaned onto the door frame of the bathroom door. He turned himself to face her. One of his arms under his pillow and the rest of his body in a fetal position. Her silhouette was well visible for him thanks to the bathroom light. A pink halo around her head and an oversized Shirt covering her upper body till the middle of her thighs. She really was a beautiful woman. She always had been beautiful and cute, but he never imagined she would grow into such a strong and gorgeous woman. And for a faint second he wondered what it would be like, if she would come to bed in a different scenario.

"I am, it's just…" A sharp breath left his body. "We don't have much time, and you wanted to show me so much, and I wasted a day because I was thrown off by Tohaya."

"We still have so much time and besides, it's not like we'll never see each other again. I'll be back in Konoha in 6 short months. We can write letters to each other and the time will fly by. And…" Teased the pink haired Konoichi.

"And?" Kakashi asked, while Sakura made her way to the bed and laid down next to him.

"Tomorrow is my day off. So we can walk around, and I can show you all the places I wanted to."

"So I have you to myself all day tomorrow?" He asked, his voice a pitch deeper than usual. A faint blush rushing over her face and a slight shiver running over her body.

"Seems like it." She answered, turning to face him, too, mirroring his position. Then she stretched out one of her hands and took his. She squeezed his hand lightly and he lost all the tension he had left. She was here with him in safety. He inhaled deeply. Her natural scent fills his nose. It was so much more vibrant when he didn't wear his mask. He smiled softly.

"What's up?" She asked curiously, tilting her head slightly.

"This reminded me of the mission we had after the war. Your first jonin mission."

"Oh…" the blush on her face intensified. "Yes, I remember that mission." She said shyly.

"We spent a lot of time in bed." His voice was deep and clear, a small blush was visible on his face and he wished he had his masked on. Vulnerability was not his strongest object.

"We did." She jawed with her soft voice only hearable for him. She shyly met his gaze. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly reached out his hand to wipe one of her pink strands from her face.

"You should rest. It was a tiring day," he looked her deep in the eyes and continued with a whisper, "Good night, Sakura."

"But…" she wanted to interfere. She didn't want this moment to end. Was this possible? That she hadn't made it all up. For a brief moment at least, she thought she hadn't just imagined it.

"Nothing, Sakura. You should rest. I will be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"I'll promise." She slowly pulled the hand she was still holding tightly in her own towards her, gave it a soft kiss, and then snuggled into the palm of his hand. If he could, he would stay here forever.

The next morning started like the one before. She slept even longer and he did his morning routine. After that, he took a short cold shower and did his skin care. He would never admit that he took over Sakura's skin care routine after the joint Jonin mission, but he has to say, his skin never looked better. Speaking of which, what actually drove him to mention this part of the mission yesterday? He had promised himself that he would not mention this. It was too embarrassing for him, but his gut told him, he wasn't the only one. Kakashi made sure Sakura was still fast asleep when he henged back to get breakfast. He made sure he got everything she liked and then headed back to his room. The smell of food filled the hole room. After everything was arranged, he went over to Sakura. He gently stroked her arm as he waited for her to wake up. It was crazy, he thought, how strong the food smelled. Even when he's sitting right next to her, he can barely detect Sakura's scent.

"Mhm… five more minutes." She whimpered, moving slightly, her eyes still closed.

"You already slept past 9 and we have a lot to do today." His tone deep and soft. He felt the shiver forming on her arm. Her eyes widened in shook, as her upper body jumped up. She looked like she had been caught.

"Kakashi." She whispered in shook, a blush forming on her face like he had never seen before.

"Is everything alright?" He asked worried.

"No… I mean, yes, everything is alright." She shook her head, trying not to meet his worried gaze.

"Okay…" He said, not sure what had happened. He took a deep breath and then it hit him. Now a shiver was running down his spine as well. He knew that smell all too well, she was aroused… That smell caught him off guard and he started to panic. Kakashi shook his head slightly. He needed to stay focused. He needed to concentrate. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, it is a completely normal body function. All was well. He just needed to calm down. WAIT… why exactly is he freaking out? It is nothing he hadn't smelled before. They are adults and this is by far less embarrassing, than these minutes in that closet, after which they swore to each other never to speak about it.

"I brought you breakfast." He said quietly, while taking a seat on the other side of the room. She stood up quickly and rushed to the bathroom. He just waited for her.

Her face glowed heavily as she rushed to the bathroom. This was embarrassing. Having a dream about a person was one thing, said person waking you is the other thing. But having a full-blown sex dream about Kakashi and then him waking her up as soon things got heated was a whole other thing. Did he know? Of course, he knew, as if his reaction wasn't evidence enough, his god-damn nose could probably smell her from across the room. How did this even happen? This rarely happened before, so why now? What happened last night, that could have triggered this? Her mind raced, trying to find the moment her dream was implanted in her head. 'We spent a lot of time in bed' 'your first jonin mission' this bastard she thought. He mentioned this mission and she automatically thought about those minutes in that god-damn closet.

She took some deep breaths to calm down her nerves, then she cleaned herself. Now she went out and, as she thought, he was sitting next to the breakfast, reading his porn. This would have been the most inappropriate thing ever if this had been any other person than Kakashi, but for him, this was perfectly normal behaviour.

"Is everything OK?" He asked, still a bit worried.

"No, yes, I mean everything is just fine." She stuttered trying to form an incoherent sentence.

"OK?" His eyes were small, and his head was tilted to the right. He doubted her.

"This looks good." She pointed at the food to change the topic of this conversation. This was still so embarrassing.

"That's why I took it." He said dryly. "I hope you can eat everything I took. I have to admit, I haven't read the part of what food to avoid during pregnancy, yet."

"As long as it is not raw or with alcohol, it should be fine." Her hand was caressing her belly. This poor child, she thought. Being born without a father and with a mother who was either heartless or a lunatic, that was the only plausible possibility for what just happened. She surely was losing her mind. Just five days ago she was so grief-stricken, that she could barely eat or move or even exist and now she was so caught up in her new life, there were moments in which she didn't even think of Sasuke. She had fun with this new work and there were moments where it felt so good, when nobody knew Sasuke and that he was dead, like she could be just Sakura, her own person, and not the poor widow of Uchiha Sasuke. Especially this time with Kakashi made her happy. She didn't forget about Sasuke, but she wasn't thinking about him the whole time, and in felt good. He died just 3 weeks ago and now she even had a sex dream about another man, even though her husband hadn't been dead for a month. Guilt filled her mind and her heart. Tears were forming in her eyes. She just knew she was the most horrendous person on this planet. How could she just go on with her life, when his ended so abruptly.

Kakashi stood up and embraced her in a hug as soon as she got quiet with that sad look on her face. He caressed her head and her back. It hurt him to see her like this, but he knew that she had no control over this. Sadly, that was how grief operates. It hit you when you are unprepared, and it spared nobody. All he knew was that these moments will get less and less. He knew that he had to be there for her like she had been ever since pain attacked. They still had this whole day. Suddenly he got an imaginary punch in his gut and he knew, it will be their last day together for a long time. Therefore, it had to be perfect. She pressed herself into him. This was the comfort she needed, even though she didn't want to admit it. This and her new purpose, her new job, her new friends and her new life. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't a bad thing, that she couldn't stay in bed all day and cry. She did something here, something important and she knew that was what Sasuke would have wanted from her. He would have wanted her to move on and live her life. She surely would've wanted the same if the roles were reversed. She just needed to remember that in the future. There is no shame in looking in another direction, her heart was true to him and she knew he would always have a place in her heart and be loved for as long as she lived.

"What is your plan for today?" He asked, when he thought it would be the right moment.

"I thought I could show you my favourite place." She said softly, her body still pressed against his.

"Your favourite place is probably the hospital, and I have already seen that." He looked down at her, while his eyes rolled upwards.

"No, it is not. My favourite place is a half hour on the outside of the city. We could pack some things and go there." She looked up, meeting his gaze

"Pack some things? Should I be scared?" He lifted one eyebrow, still holding her gaze.

"No, you idiot, but I would like to surprise you. You could go and get something to read while I pack all that we would need."

"OK, I guess, but you know that I hate surprises?"

"I know, but I don't care." She said, loosening her grip on him.

"Of course you don't care." He said quietly. She wouldn't hear him anyway, she was too caught up in herself.

"This will be exciting." She said loudly to herself, planning everything in her head.

"I am not so sure about that." He said loudly as well, but felt onto deaf ears. So he turned himself into Naruto again and left. The bookshop was nice, there were a lot of books, that he had never heard of and some sounded very promising. Icha Icha were his go-to books, but after so many years he needed something new, at least sometimes. So bought some books for himself and got something to read for later. He made sure, that there was something for Sakura as well. As he went back, Tsunade approached him with a scroll in her hand. How he hated it, when his gut was right. She didn't even have to say anything. He knew straight away. He needed to go home today. He was staying for 2 nights. He opened the scroll and it confirmed what he had already thought. Today was his last day with Sakura for a long time.

Not only that, but they were going out of town, which was nothing he was looking forward to. This part of the world was still dangerous, very dangerous. A lot of mercenary troops were staying in this area. Even though they were different and had different goals, all of them would have loved to kill the 6th Hokage and Uchiha Sakura. And now without the Sharingan, it was far more difficult for him to fight many opponents at once. He barely got the chance to use his new jutsu in a real fight. The last one he had was a year and a half ago on that mission with Sakura. He stayed fit, of course and he usually trained with Sakura, Gai or Genma, but this would be different and Sakura wouldn't be much help. She cannot fight with this high risk pregnancy, and the thought of her losing her child to save his life was unbearable.

"You are overthinking again, aren't you?" She stated with a worried but also slightly reproachful expression.

"I am just thinking about any possibility that could happen. You know, I like to be prepared." He corrected her. Her left eyebrow got up and she gave him her 'yea whatever dude' look. The scroll was neatly tucked away in one of his pockets. She didn't have to know now. There was no necessity for that. They could enjoy their day and then they would say goodbye. She would go to bed and he would go home.

"Kakashi?" She asked, her head tilted slightly to the right as she turned around to look at him.

"Hm… what?" He blinked fast for a short time. He didn't know what she had said prior to his name.

"You were zoning out on me. I have asked you if you were successful?"

"Oh right… Yea, I have all we could need."

"Perfect, then let's go." He lifted the back she had packed and walked behind her. Leaving the inside of the more or less secure city walls was exciting, but scary. He couldn't stop thinking about the possible consequences of this short trip.

It put his mind at ease, at least for a bit, that the half hour was measured in civilian hours, which he would need not more than ten minutes to grab her and take her back to safety.

"Just around the corner." She said excited. She knew the place for two years now, but wasn't able to visit since she had arrived here. "I promise it is worth it." Sakura was so excited to be able to go to this magical place again. The last time she was here was so magical and she always imagined she would come back with the love of her life on her side, like the old lady told her two years ago. But she decided she wasn't going to be sad, because Sasuke was in her heart and having Kakashi on her side made her happy, and happiness was something so precious these days. She looked over to Kakashi to see his expression when he was looking at this for the first time.

"I promise it is worth it." Sakura said happily to him. He wasn't so sure about that, because giving up the safety of the village was barely worth it. BUT, OH BOY, HE WAS WRONG! This was the most magical and beautiful place he had ever seen in his entire life. It was like walking into another dimension. It was a huge, half collapsed and completely overgrown cave with a big natural pool full of clear water at the bottom of a gorgeous waterfall. Around the water area and the small river that was going outside this cave, were grass and wildflowers. The sunlight was reflected in the water and everything was calm and peaceful and bright. He didn't know where to look first. Everything was gorgeous, and this whole place felt outer worldly. He looked over at Sakura, and seeing her this happy in this beautiful environment was something he wanted to remember for the rest of his life.

"Come!" Sakura said happy, taking his hand and leading him close to the waterfall. He couldn't stop wondering how she found this place. This was truly a place where only happiness and peace could exist.

"Isn't it the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"

"It is." He said peacefully. Blissfully unaware that he was looking at her instead of the scenery. He henged back into himself, after he made sure, they were alone.

He couldn't imagine a better place to spend his day, with Sakura. She brought a blanket and they had a nice picnic. Sakura told him the story of how she found this place and fell in love with it. They went and looked around in the cave and Sakura even held her feet into the water. At some point he called his ninken. They needed to see this place and he felt better to know they had a nose out there as well. While the ninken wandered around, Sakura and Kakashi made themselves comfortable. He was sitting and reading one of the books he bought earlier out loud to her, while Sakura laid down, with her head rested on his thigh, her eyes closed, only listening to him and the story. They both felt the same peace and quiet. At this magical place, they were happy and at peace like they both had never been before. But as usual, their peace was disturbed far too soon. Pakkun went to Kakashi and Sakura and informed them that someone unknown was approaching. Kakashi transformed back into his disguise and he and Sakura stood up. The ninken were also in operational position. Whoever was coming, they were ready. Much to Kakashi's regret, but also relief, it was only Tohaya who came running there. "Lady Haruno," he said, completely out of breath, "I'm glad I finally found you. Lady Tsunade requests your immediate return. There was an accident during the renovation work in the tower. Someone found chakra receivers and used them for experiments. I don't know the details. But you and your expertise are urgently needed." He bowed and then turned round and left. It must be really serious, Tsunade would never shorten their last day together if it wasn't a matter of life and death.

Sakura looked up at him, not sure how to react.

"Go, you're needed." he said softly as he pulled her into a long and tender hug, knowing that it would be the last time for half a year. "I'll pack everything up and join you."

"Thank you. See you later," she replied, infinitely grateful that Kakashi had always understood her and her profession. She released herself from his embrace and set off.

"Oh, and Sakura," he added as he reached for her hand before she was out of his reach, "you're so much stronger than you think possible. Please never forget that. And whatever happens, I'm always here for you." Subconsciously, he brushed a strand of hair from her face and gave her a sincere smile.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" she asks him as she slowly returns his gaze and grabs his hand, which was just lingering on her face.

"No," he said gently, squeezing her hand once, "and now go and save lives."

She didn't need to be told twice and ran off in the direction of the city. Kakashi, on the other hand, packed up everything they had brought and released his ninken.

When he arrives in the town, he sees the clouds of smoke coming from the highest tower in the town. That was Pain's tower, no wonder chakra receivers were found there. His path inevitably leads him past the hospital and, as crowded and chaotic as it looks, Sakura will spend half the night there tonight. Or the whole night, if nobody stopped her, for the sake of her and her baby. But he knew that Sakura knew her own limits very well and she would never risk her last connection to Sasuke.

He went straight to Sakura's room and put everything back in its place. Then he went into his room and packed his things, as he didn't have much with him, therefore he didn't have to pack for long. He left the letter telling him to come back to Konoha as soon as possible, clearly visible on the table. He also wrote a few lines of his own.

Satisfied with his message, he closed the door behind him and slowly made his way towards the city border. The city was still rumbling when he left.

It was late, very late, when Sakura entered the building in which she and Kakashi were staying. She was tired like she hadn't been in a long time, even though she wasn't allowed to heal anyone. She managed the hospital and gave the nurses and doctors all the information they would need to save the patient in front of them. She knew she made a difference today and without her profound knowledge a lot of patients would have died. She even operated without the use of chakra, which was not completely new to her, but very uncommon. It was such an odd feeling to not use her chakra, but she did very well and saved a few patients herself. Sakura was so proud of herself and she couldn't wait to tell that to Kakashi.

Needless to say, she burst into his room with the biggest smile on her face, which dropped immediately as she realized this room was empty and cleaned out. Only two letters were on the table. She inspected them closer and one had Narutos handwriting on it, it was addressed to "himself", the other one was in Kakashi handwriting and it was addressed to her. She opened the letter addressed to "Naruto" first. It was a command for him to come back to the village. Then she looked at the letter, that was intended for her.

Dear Sakura,

by the time you read this, I'll be on my way back to Konoha. I received a letter this morning asking me to come back to Konoha as soon as possible. I know it's not the way you imagined it, when you came into my room to tell me about your crazy operations, but unfortunately there's no other way. I know, even without being there, that you've been great. I know you're angry that I didn't tell you that I wouldn't be there when you arrived at the hospital, but I didn't want you to feel bad while you were literally saving lives. I hope you can forgive me. If anything should happen, please send Katsuyu immediately. I will be on my way right away.

Goodbye.

へへ

のの

も (Henohenomoheji)

へ

じ

Tears were forming in her eyes as she read his goodbye. It is weird, because she never really expected him to show up here, but now that he is gone, it finally had sunken in, she was alone and by herself. And even though this was terrifying, she was looking forward to it.