Chapter Thirty-Eight: Promotion to Chunin

Sakura

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It was Sakura's second Chunin Exams. She'd trained diligently under Lady Tsunade in her fighting style and medical ninjutsu. Izumi Uchiha (and on very rare occasions Itachi Uchiha himself) had honed Sakura's skills in genjutsu. During her two years of training, Sakura had shared letters with Naruto and Sasuke. They may have been separated on opposite ends of the country, but she felt they were closer than ever - -sharing their inner most thoughts, dreams, and goals.

Fewer participants passed the first two rounds and the third round of one-on-one matches was slated to happen by the end of the week. There were quite a few teams from Konoha that had been re-arranged for the exams in Suna. Since Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Shino had all been promoted two years back, their remaining teammates had split up.

And while Naruto had been understandably upset to not be on the same team with Sakura, they still managed to work together.

Sakura had teamed up with Ino and Choji — she practically carried the team during the previous two rounds. Ino hopped into Sakura's mind for the written exam for the answers and shared them not only with Choji, but also with Naruto and his team for the exams. In the second round, it had been Sakura leading and defending Ino and Choji through the hostile desert. It wasn't that Ino and Choji were poor fighters, they'd both improved, but they hadn't studied up on the environment at all. It was Sakura's knowledge — from a basic read through of field guides about the local flora and fauna that kept them from eating poisoned berries and knowing where to avoid the poisonous snakes and scorpions. Basically, the desert of Suna was simply rife with poisonous things.

While they waited for the third round, Sakura and Naruto had finally been able to meet up at the inn the village reserved for their teams.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried out racing towards Sakura. He wrapped her into a hug, lifted her off her feet, and swirled the two of them in an enthusiastic circle just inside the lobby. "I've missed you so much!"

They'd been seated on opposite ends during the written exam. Then their teams had been kept apart during the second round during a staggered entrance into the dessert. It was the first time Sakura had actually seen Naruto up close and she held him tight — appreciating his new height and build.

"You've gotten so handsome, Naruto!" Sakura murmured with a laugh when she was finally released to her feet. She then wrapped her arms around Naruto's waist and lifted him off his feet, earning a surprised yelp. "And I've gotten stronger!"

"Stronger and prettier too!" Naruto smiled wide at her, eyes shown bright. He dropped his tone to a whisper, "And you've got boobs now." He hugged her again and sighed. "They feel nice."

Sakura felt her cheeks burn. "You're not supposed to say things like that!" She bopped him on top of the head, none-too-gently and then cringed when Naruto grimaced. "I'm so sorry!" She laid her hand on the side of his face and started to send healing chakra, but his injury was already repaired.

"It's fine. Kurama already sorted me out," Naruto assured her. "You're going to have to watch that temper though. Not all your friends have a tailed beast inside ready to heal them at a moment's notice." He studied Sakura worriedly. "Are you that insecure about your sexuality, Sakura-chan?" He covered her hand with his own. "I'm your best friend, Sakura. If I can't give you a compliment about your boobs then who can?" His eyes lingered on her chest before meeting her eyes again, his expression only mildly sheepish. "I bet you know who will like them too."

"You're not supposed to compliment someone about their breasts," Sakura hissed. "Did you compliment Hinata about her breasts? She's definitely been blessed twice over in that department." Though, Sakura thought a chest that heavy was more of a hindrance to kunoichi than an asset — too much weight for the back to support and the balance would be challenging.

Naruto frowned. "Why would I do that?" His sky-blue eyes twinkled as he gazed down at her chest without an ounce of shame and raising one of his hands, curling his fingers slightly. "Yours are the perfect size. I bet they'd fit right into my palms."

Before Sakura could say anything, she felt the approach of two familiar chakra signatures. Naruto must have felt them at the same time because he looked over her shoulder and then pulled her hand down and threaded their fingers together and dragged them towards the others.

Shisui and Sasuke Uchiha had just walked down the stairs into the lobby. A big grin was plastered on Shisui's face and Sasuke was as expressionless as usual, except for the mild amused twinkle in his dark eyes.

"What are you two doing here?" Naruto asked, squeezing Sakura's hand and bringing them closer to the stairwell.

"We came to cheer you on," Shisui answered, rocking back on his heels once they reached the ground floor. He scanned both Naruto and Sakura and smiled. "You've both grown up!"

"You're both part of our clan," Sasuke explained. "You won't be staying in the standard Konoha lodgings. Father agreed to put us up in a suite when he allowed us to attend the final round."

"We're all staying together?" Naruto asked. He squeezed Sakura's hand. "It's been ages since we were all reunited!" He gestured towards Sakura's chest with their joined hands. "Sakura's got a rack and I've grown at least three inches." Naruto snickered and gestured with their joined hands suspiciously towards his groin.

Sakura's eye twitched. What did he mean three inches? She caught Naruto's wide grin. A quick shift of her attention towards Sasuke and she could see his pale cheeks were paler and the tips of his ears were crimson as he stared at the two of them wide-eyed.

Shisui groaned and rubbed his palm over his forehead. "Not again," he murmured. He jingled a pair of keys. "We checked in a while ago. Follow me. The Hokage has arranged dinner for the participants this evening, so you have a few hours of down time. And the Kazekage wanted to stop by the dinner as well."

"I thought I was rooming with Ino, Tenten, and Hinata," Sakura protested. She didn't let go of Naruto's hand, finding comfort in his strength. Sasuke was even better looking than she last remembered— red tipped ears making him especially endearing. She wanted to ask if Kakashi had come to root for them as well, but couldn't find the confidence. Probably not, or else Shisui would have mentioned him.

"I definitely don't want to room with Kiba, Choji, Lee, and Neji," Naruto protested. "Please, Sakura-chan! Wouldn't you rather share a bed with me than Ino?"

Considering that Ino kicked in her sleep, Sakura would prefer Naruto's snuggles. "Fine, okay, I would." She squeezed his hand once and then released. "And I really am sorry about earlier."

Sasuke's gaze shifted between the two of them, his face neutral and his ears normal. "Let's go."

"So bossy," Naruto muttered, but he followed after Sasuke.

Shisui laid his hand between Sakura's shoulder blades. "Itachi and Izumi have been bragging about your genjutsu. You want to practice with me later?"

"Yes," Sakura agreed readily. She took a deep, steeling breath. She should ask. There was no need to be a coward. "Um, did anyone else from Konoha come to cheer us on?"

"Unfortunately, Izumi and Itachi couldn't get away." Shisui sighed deeply. "Though, I suspect you were more interested in your former sensei? He's on another mission, unfortunately. It's a long-term mission, so he may not have even realized he is missing the exams. I don't think he would purposely not cheer you guys on."

"Oh." Sakura tried to keep her voce neutral, but she doubted that even if Kakashi was aware if he would cheer his former students. She shouldn't have been so disappointed. It's just, she always felt so subpar to Kakashi's standards. She wanted him to see her now that she'd completed her apprenticeship. She wanted him to be proud. It seemed that no matter what progress she made Kakashi remained unimpressed as well as her parents. Mebuki and Kizashi would at least respond to her letters, but they were almost strangers with their superficial topics of conversation. At least she and her mother had found a connection in their mutual interest of herbs.

"I am really glad to see you again, Sakura," Shisui said. "I've missed your spirit. I know you and Naruto will both make the Uchiha clan proud."

"I'm not an Uchiha," Sakura reminded him. Naruto had been adopted. She was just friendly with a few members. She was clan-adjacent at best.

"Yes, you are. You're my sister if nothing else," Shisui said quietly. "Maybe not in name, but in every other way that matters." He reached over and tugged on a lock of her hair gently. "No matter whatever happens, you and I are always good. You got that?"

"Why?" Sakura never understood Shisui's attachment to her. It wasn't anything romantic, but she could almost believe they were bonded like siblings. It seemed an unbreakable bond had been forged from the moment Shisui found her in the woods when she'd been a young girl, trying to train on her own. She was so grateful he took pity and helped her along.

"I'll tell you exactly why in a few years." Shisui sighed and ran his hands through his dark curls. "You wouldn't believe me if I tried. But, my fate is tied to yours. There's a saying that if you save a life, you're responsible for it. Let's say, I'm here today because of you and I will be responsible for you and work to ensure your happiness and success."

"That doesn't sound like the motto of the Uchiha," Sakura teased, feeling overly emotional at the sincerity of his tone. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from reacting.

Shisui shrugged. "It's my motto."

They settled into the suite, Shisui and Sasuke would share one bed, Sakura and Naruto the other. Sasuke looked like he wanted to protest, but said nothing. There were a kitchenette and a massive bathroom complete with both a garden tub and a shower— a luxury in the desert of Suna.

Sakura started to gather her toiletries for a shower when Sasuke caught her wrist.

"It's good to see you, Sakura," Sasuke said quietly. "Mother sent a dress for you if you'd like to wear it for dinner." He gestured towards himself and the others. "We all have a change of clothes for the dinner."

"Sure," Sakura agreed. Auntie Mikoto was certainly a kind and thoughtful woman. She'd given Sakura a few elegant and classy dresses over the years. "Is it blue?"

Sasuke smirked. "It is."

Blue wasn't her favorite color — she still preferred green and red, but she liked blue. "Hang it in the bathroom while I start the shower," Sakura murmured, shaking her arm out of his grip and walking past him. She took a much appreciated shower, already eager for a longer soak in the garden tub later. Then she changed into a fresh outfit —an elegant navy blue dress courtesy of Mikoto. Sure enough, on the back of the dress was a familiar red and white uchiwa emblem. Perhaps, Shisui was right — Sakura was part of the noble clan in the ways that counted.

Dinner had involved all the Konoha participants that had passed the first two rounds. A private room had been reserved for the Leaf at a steak restaurant. Sakura found herself sandwiched between Naruto and Sasuke the entire time. It was also the first time she met Lady Chiyo — the Kazekage's grandmother. Sasori was at the head of the table and was extremely hard to read, but his power was clear and he was an intense man. Sakura felt uncomfortable about his focus on her — why was he so determined to invite her to Suna? And then there were Sasori's cousin Lyna— she seemed pretty confident and was pretty funny.

The Sand kunoichi had Shisui laughing so hard he even shorted once, choking on his tea. It was cute to see her big brother figure in a new light as he flirted with the Kazekage's cousin. He was really quite charming and Sakura was a tiny bit envious of Lyna.

The Sand siblings were on patrol, but Sasori wasn't exactly apologetic about their absence. Sakura didn't miss the longing looks Hinata kept sending Naruto's direction, nor his blatantly ignoring her shy attempts to gain his attention.

Sasuke leaned close to Sakura, his arm across the back of her chair for balance and the warmth of his breath tickled her ear. "This makes two exams in a row where you scored the highest on the written portion."

"Technically, my team and Naruto's team all scored the same," Sakura protested. She took a shallow breath feeling a little nervous about Sasuke's proximity, but also a touch excited. She caught Ino's smug smile.

"I had no idea the Uchiha men were all so charming," Lyna mused, sipping her wine and watching Sakura and Sasuke with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Nah, Sasuke's big brother Itachi is incredibly awkward. Sasuke and I only lay on the charm when in the company of beautiful, intelligent, highly capable women," Shisui answered smoothly.

Sasuke cleared his throat, posture stiff to be made the center of attention and he shifted back to his chair. Sakura could admit, she felt a little disappointed at the distance.

Then Naruto's hand was on her knee under the table and squeezed her softly. "I think he liiiiikes you," he whispered into her other ear. "I'm not the only one that appreciates you."

Sakura didn't miss the flash of hurt that appeared and vanished across Hinata's princess-like features. So she did the best thing she could, ignored her hot teammates and the unwavering interest of the Kazekage and Ino's amused smiles and focused on eating her dinner.

"So, Sakura, let's hope we don't face each other this time around," Ino said, holding her drumstick and biting into the juicy morsel. "I'd hate to embarrass you in front of your boyfriends."

Sasuke began to cough and Naruto reached over Sakura to pat him hard on the back between his shoulder blades.

"I'd hate to have to beat you in front of everyone a second time," Sakura answered, smiling sweetly at the blond. Then her playful smile faded. "Seriously, we're teammates this time around, so we shouldn't be pitted against each other."

"I believe you're actually slated to battle one of my genin," Lyna interrupted. "I can't say which one, but I expect the match to be challenging and fun to watch for us spectators."

Sakura stared at the older woman silently, trying to think back to her students. One had been a puppet master — like Sasori and Kankuro. Another was a genjutsu specialist — which would be pretty useless skill against Sakura. And the third genin was more of a close-quarters taijutsu specialist. Seeing as Sakura's fighting style was close to the Godaime's Senju Taijutsu, she suspected she'd be facing the third member.

"So, how are Sai and Shin, Ino?" Sakura asked, changing the subject when it become clear she wouldn't be getting any more information from the Sand Jonin.

"I hardly see them these days, they're always off on missions," Ino explained. "Though when Sai comes home he always has a new sketch for me in his art book. Last time he brought me this necklace." She hooked her finger around a fine golden chain with a white lotus flower next to a purple iris.

"That's beautiful," Sakura sighed. Maybe one day some guy would give her jewelry. Though, she wasn't much of a necklace person. She rubbed her hands, missing her leather gloves. Maybe some bracelets would be nice. She felt a little sorry for Ino — she knew Sai was often away on missions ever since he and Shin joined Anbu. They were part of the squad dedicated to finding the traitor Danzo.

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That night, Naruto faced Sakura in the bed a few hours after the dinner. They had the next few days off to rest and train before the third round. Shisui and Sasuke promised to cook breakfast for them every morning and let them sleep in as late as they wanted. It was nice being pampered after roughing it in the desert for the last few days.

"So, how was it being on a team with Hinata and Kiba?" Sakura whispered.

"It was awkward. She has a big crush on me and Kiba has a big crush on her," Naruto whispered back. "Her dad even approached Mama Mikoto and Papa Fugaku to try and arrange a marriage between me and Hinata a few months back — saying it would help forge a new bond between Hyuga and Uchiha."

"What?" Sakura sat up in shock. Naruto had just turned fourteen in October, why were there talks of marriage?

"I'm part of the Head family, I suppose it's natural to suggest a covenant. And my Uzumaki genes would enhance a strong trait like Sharingan or Byakugan without interfering with the bloodline." He met her gaze. "I'm kind of like you in that regard." He sighed. "Fugaku doesn't like Hiashi. He said that any man that would let his brother die in his stead is a coward. Konoha should have gone to war with Cloud. He said that if someone kidnapped one of his kids, he would have destroyed that person completely. And that he wouldn't trust one of his sons in the family of such a man."

"Wow," Sakura breathed out. She didn't know too much about the incident in question, but she knew that Hinata's father had killed Neji's father. Neji had told her that once when she treated him at the hospital for a few weeks after a training session was too brutal at the Hyuga clan. When he explained to her the caged bird seal on his forehead, she understood his anger towards Hinata and her revered status — completely unearned — within their clan.

Naruto toyed with the edge of the sheet, his eyes focused downward. "I don't feel that way about her— Hinata. I don't think she's a bad person just because her dad was scared and did a bad thing. She seems okay. It's just, I'm not sure that I like girls in general." His bright blue eyes flashed up to her face again and a small smile lifted the corner of his lips. "Well, except you, Sakura-chan, but we're like sort of related, so it's that like liking myself?"

Sakura frowned. Hinata was beautiful and yet Naruto wasn't attracted to her. "Do you prefer men?"

Naruto sighed. "I don't know. It was weird with Jiraiya, you know? Sometimes he'd have me do my sexy woman henge - remember that time when we were looking for Granny Tsunade? I'd go to the bathhouses like that and he'd find a way to use me as a distraction to get inspiration for his books."

Sakura clenched her hands into fists. That was disturbing in so many ways.

"So, I don't know. I've seen a lot of women, but I don't get excited or anything," Naruto whispered.

"Do you want to see if I can make you excited?" Sakura whispered. They were distantly related. It wouldn't be weird. Naruto's eyes snapped back up to her immediately and he nodded his head barely perceptible. Sakura drew up the sheets to cover them from the neck down and then took Naruto's hand. She slipped it under her nightshirt, his calloused fingers traced across her belly and sent chills down her arms. She placed his palm firmly over her breast, much like the time when they'd been thirteen exploring each other's henged bodies.

Naruto released a shuddered sigh, his thumb grazed over her nipple. "I definitely feel something," he murmured. He cupped her breast and met her gaze. "Does this feel okay?"

Sakura bit her lower lip and nodded, her throat had constricted rendering it impossible to speak. She liked the sensations Naruto was causing.

"Hey! What are you two doing?" Sasuke sat up and glared over at them, his dark eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Uh, nothing," Naruto said, clearing his throat, but keeping his hand in place, massaging her mound gently.

Sakura could feel Naruto's groin brush against her, his length hardening. He'd reacted to Sasuke's voice and her breast? What did that mean?

Naruto squeezed her breast gently and then released her, his hand settled upon the rise of her hip bone. "You know I like to cuddle," he called out.

"Maybe I should share the bed with Sakura then," Sasuke said, his tone clipped with annoyance. "I know how to keep my hands to myself."

"You're just envious," Naruto said, his tone smug. He leaned forward and kissed Sakura's forehead. "Thanks, Sakura-chan. I think I maybe understand a few things."

"What are friends for?"Sakura whispered, surprised she could even speak. She was glad he understood things, because she certainly didn't.

The door for the bathroom opened and Shisui emerged in his pajamas. He scanned the room with suspicious eyes, focusing on Sakura and Naruto. "You've got to be kidding me. Are you two feeling each other up again?"

"Again?" Sasuke squawked.

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The week between the second and third round of the Chunin exams were calm and restful mixed with sparring sessions. Shisui and Sasuke were both pretty talented cooks — they'd gotten really good at it while they'd trained at Ryuchi caves. She learned about Sasuke's training and Naruto's training. She told them about her training under the Godaime and at Shikkotsu Forest. She faced off against the taijutsu specialist on Lyna's team and Naruto faced off against the seven-tailed jinchuriki Fu.

About three months after her promotion to Chunin, Sakura had settled back into life at Konoha. Naruto and Sasuke were still training in their final year of apprenticeships, so it was a rarity that the three of them were all in the village. As such, Tsunade had given Sakura the evening off.

Normally, she spent her free time studying and preparing for whatever work Master Tsunade would have for her the next day in their training. She'd come a long way in her skills as a medical ninja and more often than not, was the one leading the surgeries these days. She'd also learned quite a bit about poisons under Shizune's tutelage. And her mastery of chakra control and monstrous strength put her on Jonin level, though she was still a Chunin due to lack of experience on the field. She'd gotten another letter from the Kazekage inviting her to study in Suna, much to Master Tsunade's irritation.

It had been as she was leaving Master Tsunade's office, being dismissed for the day, that she saw her old team leader, for the first time in nearly a year. Kakashi Hatake had been taking back-to-back missions with Anbu since she and the boys on Team Seven had started more focused individual training regimens.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura greeted, feeling her cheeks heat up in both pleasure at seeing him after so many years and acknowledging that he was even more handsome than she remembered.

A bored, charcoal eye shifted towards her and he stopped in the hallway just in front of her. It seemed to take a moment for him to register his recognition of her. Though, there couldn't be that many pink-haired kunoichi he could know. "Sakura," Kakashi murmured. His gaze scanned her head to toe briefly, assessing her. "You've gotten taller." His hands were shoved into the front pockets of his black pants and his posture relaxed from the rigid stance a few moments ago into a comfortable slouch.

There was something about the way his attentive gaze raked over her that made Sakura feel warm and stirred nervous butterflies in her belly. "I should hope so. I was a tiny little girl the last time you saw me."

"Hm," Kakashi hummed. His tone implied that she was still a little girl.

"Are you in the village for a while?" She swallowed down her nervousness. She should just ask him. What did it matter that she still had a massive crush on her former team leader? "I was on my way to meet the guys — Sasuke and Naruto — for a dinner at Ichiraku. Would you like to join us?" Sakura asked feeling incredibly shy and hoping her voice didn't betray her.

"Mah, I'm not really in the mood for ramen," Kakashi hedged. "I appreciate you asking." He started to move past her.

"It's not about the food. It's the company. It's been over two years, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura pointed out, reaching for his sleeve, grasping the black shirt.

He looked down at her, eying her hand for a moment. The silence between them deafening. "I'm not your sensei anymore, Sakura. If you'll excuse me, I need to report now. I don't have time to babysit."

Sakura released his sleeve, stunned by his response. She didn't understand why he didn't want to have dinner with them. Did he not stress the importance of teammates and bonds over and over? "If you change your mind, you know where we'll be." She was proud of herself for keeping her tone even and not betraying the intensity of hurt his words inflicted. "We're chunin — adults in they eyes of the village. We don't need a babysitter, but it would have been nice to reconnect with a friend."

"We're not friends," Kakashi's harsh tone cut deep.

Sakura sucked in a shaky breath, meeting his flat gaze. "I see." She studied his face for a moment longer, his mask and hitai-ate covered anything that would give a clue about his true feelings. She turned away and walked briskly past him, intent not to let him see her cry over some trivial rejection.

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Kakashi

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He released his own shaky breath as Sakura walked away. She was not how he remembered. Her tone had been confident and her body had filled out. She had curves and he couldn't help, but notice she was a beautiful young woman. He reminded himself— she was a young woman. She was fifteen! He was twenty-seven. She was much too young for someone like him, with hands stained in so much blood.

His sensitive nose could smell the salt of her tears. He knew he hurt her feelings, but he was pretty sure she still had a crush on him. It was better to avoid her than to give her any hope on such an impossibility.

Though, she had stirred something in him. The best way to deal was to drown himself in someone else. Now that he was in the village for a few days, that would be easy enough to do. He never had a problem finding volunteers to keep him company.

He was escorted into the Godaime's office. Tsunade's honey colored eyes narrowed when he stepped inside. "Do I need to sic Shizune on you for an evaluation?"

"Ah, I will head to the hospital after our meeting for a check up," Kakashi lied. He was going to a nearby bar, find a willing companion, then find a convenient alleyway, and then he'd go home to play with his dogs.

He was going to stay far away from the hospital and far away from the ramen shop.

"You just missed Sakura," Tsunade pointed out.

"Ah, we met in the hall," Kakashi answered.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair and sighed. "It's a shame there aren't more people like her. My dream was to have a field medic on every team, but having someone capable of remaining calm on a field of violence and able to perform surgery is like finding a unicorn."

Kakashi arched an eyebrow. Calm wasn't a word he would have used to describe Sakura. Temperamental and emotional seemed better descriptions — at least of the Sakura he remembered from their year together. "Do you want me to report on my mission?" He didn't come to talk about the lone girl on his old team.

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Assuming it was a success, just write up your report. I'll have another assignment for you in a couple of days." She raised her eyebrows. "Were there any troubles?"

He shook his head. "Flawless execution of all objectives," Kakashi answered. He waited for his dismissal.

"Naruto has been training under Jiraiya for the past two years," Tsuande said. She opened her desk drawer and pulled out a couple of cups and a jug of sake. She poured two and pushed one across the desk towards Kakashi. "He's learning sage mode up in those mountains. You knew his parents better than I did, but I suspect he will take after his father and master Toad Sage mode. He returned to the mountains after he passed the Chunin exams a couple of months ago."

Kakashi didn't pick up the cup and Tsunade finished hers. She looked between him and the second cup, but he didn't move. So she drank that one as well.

"Sasuke has been training with his clan. He and Shisui went to Ryuchi caves. He formed a contract with a massive snake there but decided he preferred hawks," Tsunade explained.

"The same powers as the Sannin," Kakashi murmured. And Sakura was training under Tsunade. How had the visit to Shikkaku Forest gone?

Tsunade nodded. "Sakura and I spent six months at Shikkaku Forest off and on," she confirmed his unspoken question. "Your old genin team have become the Neo-sannin. You should be proud."

"Their accomplishments have little to do with me," Kakashi answered, his tone bored. He was proud. Maybe they wouldn't die like everyone else did.

Tsunade cocked her head to the side. "I thought you would be more interested. Especially about Sakura. She's had the most unexpected growth of the three. Sasuke and Naruto both come from strong bloodlines."

"Why would I be interested?" Kakashi felt his annoyance start to grow.

"You should join them for dinner, Hatake," Tsunade said quietly. "It's normal for Jonin senseis to meet with their old teams."

"I've never been accused of being normal," Kakashi answered curtly.

Tsunade leaned back and sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "You're impossible, Hatake. You're dismissed. Check in with Shizune first or I'll ground you for a week."

Kakashi dipped his head and then flash-stepped out of her office. He visited Shizune, because being grounded in the village for a week meant he'd likely run into his old genin and he honestly couldn't bare to be around them. They were succeeding, growing stronger, the best of friends — he didn't want to see them happy, knowing that one day they would lose everything — just like him. It was better if he bowed out of their lives completely.

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Sakura

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She sat in a back booth with Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto sat across from her and Sasuke was beside her. There was no sign of Kakashi and she doubted he would show up. She listened politely as Naruto told stories about his adventures with Jiraiya. While they'd spent several days together during the Chunin exams, he'd not gone into detail of his training adventures until now. Naruto went on and on about the man's perverted tendencies and how he often spied on women at bathhouses.

It made Sakura feel uncomfortable hearing about the man.

Sasuke's stories about the Ryuchi cave were more interesting for her. It made her think of Shikkaku Forest. Her friends had been fascinated when she told of her own training under the Godaime. And when Sasuke's hand rested tentatively on her thigh under the table, Sakura ignored the tiny feeling of disappointment that it wasn't the interest of an older man that she'd attracted.

She smiled at Sasuke when he shyly squeezed her knee and covered his hand with hers. It was strange how in the last year, both Naruto and Sasuke had grown taller and broader than her. And when Sasuke's cheeks pinked when Sakura mentioned how impressed she was by his shoulders, she found herself smiling back. He was the best looking boy of their generation by far, in her not so humble opinion. And it seemed that he had feelings for her. So she ignored the sour feeling that had settled in her gut when it became clear that Kakashi would not be joining their reunion dinner. And while she was disappointed, she was far from surprised.

Sasuke paid for their meal and earned praise from both her and Naruto for his generosity. "Hey, I'm going to walk Sakura home, okay?"

"Uh, sure," Naruto said, his lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'll see you back at the house later," Sasuke assured him. "Shisui should be back from his mission. He'd love to be regaled by your adventures with the Pervert Sage."

"That's Pervy Sage," Naruto corrected. This time, his smile reached his eyes. "Are your parents still out of town, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura nodded. She'd almost moved out of her parents' residence when she started her apprenticeship under Tsunade and had more steady income from her work at the hospital, but they were hardly home. They were in Konoha only a few weeks out of the year since they relocated to Tea. It seemed a foolish investment to move into an apartment considering the house would be empty if she wasn't there.

They bid Naruto farewell and walked side by side down the mostly empty streets of Konoha. They'd passed a few blocks in comfortable silence before Sasuke reached for Sakura's hand. It caused a thrill of excitement as Sakura looked over and met his attentive gaze.

It was then that they heard it — a rhythmic thumping down a nearby alley along with guttural moans. A feeling of dread filled Sakura. Sasuke tugged on her hand, purposely redirecting their route away from the naughty business in the shadows.

"Oh, Hatake!" A feminine voice cried out that was quickly muffled.

"I guess we know why he didn't join us," Sasuke murmured, his tone irritated. He tugged on Sakura more forcefully as she stared in horror in the direction of the sounds. "Come on, let's get you home, Sakura. It's not our business."

Sakura swallowed thickly and forced a smile up at Sasuke.

He continued to hold her hand, threading the fingers together. "Do you still have a crush on him?"

Sakura shrugged. "Crushes are a waste of time."

They made it outside her doorstep. The house in the civilian neighborhood was dark.

"I'm sorry to hear you feel that way," Sasuke murmured, not letting go of her hand. "I—-I have a crush on you, Sakura."

Sakura blinked up at him in surprise. The best looking guy of her generation had a crush on her? One of her best friends, someone who's parents showered more affection upon her than her own since their days at the Academy. "Really?"

Sasuke chuckled and lifted her hand towards his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles. "You can't be that surprised. I'm not an elite Anbu Captain, but I do care about you." He released her hand, but didn't move. "And I'm right here, if you want me."

"Do you, want to come inside?" Sakura asked, her heart pounding in her chest. The look on Sasuke's face was tender— as if she were the stars in his sky.

"Could I stay the night?" Sasuke asked, his voice quiet, his dark eyes hopeful.

Sakura smiled, feeling warm inside. "Yeah, I think I would like that."

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A/N: This is KakaSaku, so I won't make you read about SasuSak too much. And Kakashi was pretty hard to read in this chapter. You'll be less angry with him in the next chapter.