Chapter Six: Sukea vs Kakashi

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Kakashi stared at his ceiling, unable to sleep. Sukea's wig was discarded haphazardly on his bedside table, the contacts properly stored away soaking in saline solution in his bathroom. He was hating himself something fierce. He'd been having a great time with Sakura, she was even better than he realized, but she was having a great time with Sukea. And Sukea wasn't a real person.

It was clear she had feelings for him as Kakashi.

He'd take her on a walk in the morning, wearing the uncomfortable garb of Sukea. Then they'd do the photo session with Naruto and Hinata amongst the butterflies. Maybe he could get some advice from Naruto? He seemed more mature and maybe some of Minato's wisdom finally congealed in the jinchuriki's brain? Or maybe not. Genma had made his opinion clear — he needed to tell Sakura the truth.

And he would — definitely. He just wasn't sure how or when. Maybe they could date a while longer? Or maybe he'd make up an excuse for Sukea to return to work somewhere abroad and far away. Maybe in Cloud? The Raikage, Darui would probably help Kakashi out — he was much more easy going than Ay had been.

Maybe he could say that as Hokage, he'd learned of Sukea's need to leave the village and make that his excuse to come to her house, to share his/Sukea's apologies for leaving prematurely? It seemed like a good idea.

He'd drop a few hints that he would have a need to travel far away. Maybe they could write each other letters? But, she knew Kakashi's handwriting and if he hired a scribe that made the farce worse.

Pakkun jumped onto the foot of his bed, the familiar weight of his paws rested against Kakashi's ankle. "Yo, Boss, are you going to be needing us today?"

"No, I'll be spending the day as Sukea," Kakashi explained. He glanced down at the pack leader of his ninja hounds.

The chocolate pug wiped at his snout lazily. "Shiba and Bull were hoping to hang out with you. Their mates have puppies and are really annoyed with them lately."

"How old are the puppy ninken?" Kakashi asked. It had been several years since any of his ninja hounds had any litters. Not all ninken became summons. Most lived in the ninja dog dimension without a problem, but some preferred the human world and were in want of a good home.

"Bull's are only a week old, but Shiba's puppies are already six weeks," Pakkun explained. "Shiba wanted me to see if you wanted to let Sakura know. Maybe invite her over and she can play with his pups and give his mate a break for a few hours."

"That's actually a great idea," Kakashi mused. "Tell him we can do that tomorrow." He reached down and scratched behind Pakkun's ears. The pug wasn't a pet, but he wasn't above occasional ear scratches.

"Of course it's a great idea. Ladies can't resist puppies." Pakkun angled his head to the side and stared up at Kakashi quizzically. "It makes much more sense than whatever you're doing with that rat's nest you were wearing on your head." .

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OoO

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Nervous little metaphorical butterflies fluttered within Sakura's belly. It wasn't that she'd never been kissed before — though her kissing partners could be counted on one hand and since one of them was CPR with Naruto and another a 'practice session' with Ino back when they were fifteen, it really boiled down to two prior kissing partners.

One of course, was Sasuke Uchiha, who while they'd both been inexperienced had taken training quite seriously — so she knew she was a fair kisser. The other had been the current Raikage during her stay in Cloud about two years ago. She'd spent a month there evaluating the hospital and working with the medics to improve quality. It was during that time that she and Darui had dated casually. That had been — electrifying, but otherwise it fizzled before it began.

And now, she'd kissed Sukea bring the total to five. It had been an absolutely romantic scene — lakeside under the fireworks. He definitely knew what he was doing — his lips had been surprisingly soft and very pliant. She definitely wanted to kiss him again. Her only disappointment had come after she'd closed her eyes on instinct. Unfortunately, she imagined a silver-haired, stormy gray eyed shinobi kissing her and she'd started crying, ruining the moment.

It had been awkward when Sukea walked her home that evening. They'd both been quiet, unsure of what to say. Part of her wondered if she should invite him up, but the more rational part decided to kiss him on the cheek and wish him a good night.

And now she was pacing her living room, dressed in a red sweater, skinny jeans that accentuated her assets, and boots with small heels that made her height increased by two inches. Sukea would still be a good four inches taller than her even with the heels. Of course, that meant he was six inches taller than her — interesting enough the same height difference as a certain silver-haired someone— if he ever bothered to stand up straight.

There was a rap of knuckles on her apartment door and Sakura mentally counted to three before she took a deep breath and then opened her door with a warm smile. "Sukea! Good morning!" She held onto the door knob in a white-knuckled grip, hoping he couldn't see how nervous she felt.

"Good morning, Sakura!" Sukea smiled at her and held his left hand up, a white take out bag dangled from his index finger. "I picked us up some pastries. I thought we could eat together on one of the park benches along the maple tree path."

"Great idea," Sakura agreed. She had her messenger back slung over her shoulder. "I have a thermos with hot chocolate in here," she said, patting the bag. "And I can add marshmallows too." She may have caught the faint hint of a grimace on Sukea's face when she mentioned the marshmallows. "Are you not a fan of sweets?"

"Not particularly, but if you like it, I'm willing to try it," Sukea said, flashing her a quick grin.

She locked up her apartment and they walked alongside each other down the quasi-empty streets, bumping shoulders occasionally. She felt magnetically drawn to the man. "What time are we meeting Naruto and Hinata?"

"In about an hour," Sukea answered. He gestured towards an empty bench halfway down the path, directly underneath one of the crimson trees. They sat next to each other on the bench with the box of pastries between them.

Sakura took out her thermos and the attached pair of mugs to pour out hot chocolate for them. She added a few marshmallows into hers and looked at Sukea in askance.

"Go ahead, I'll follow your example," Sukea agreed. "If you like sweet things, if my breath is sweeter maybe you'll be more likely to kiss me." He waggled his eyebrows teasingly.

Sakura giggled and added a few marshmallows into his cup. She stared at them as they melted. "I'm sorry about crying last night. I'm so embarrassed," Sakura murmured.

Sukea shrugged. "I didn't mind. I'd rather know you care than be faced with an indifferent facade. We're not at war anymore, Sakura. It's good to let your guard down occasion." He took a sip of the hot chocolate and a trace of white foam from the melted marshmallows formed a tiny mustache on his upper lip.

Sakura scoffed. "I have a friend you should tell this to." She noticed the foam on his upper lip and wiped it off with her thumb, her touch lingering just a moment too long.

"Just one?" Sukea licked his upper lip where her thumb had just been. "I should think that's hard for any shinobi. Not showing your emotions is rule number twenty-five after all."

A rueful smile crossed her lips at that reminder. Sakura focused on eating her pastry and closed her eyes in delight. "This must be from Tami's sweet shop. She's the absolute best!"

"Genma might have told me," Sukea explained. He leaned towards her. "May I kiss you again?"

Sakura nodded. Sukea drew near, the tips of their noses brushed together in a sweet collision before their lips connected. The kiss was slow, sensual, deep and tasted of chocolate. There were no tears this time.

Sukea leaned back, his eyes half-lidded, with a soft smile on his swollen lips. "And Tami may have tossed in a few extras when I told her it was for you. Apparently, you saved her life."

Sakura smiled up at him, her lips tingling. Did Sukea have lightning chakra nature? She needed to know more about this man. "Let me understand something, Sukea. You're Genma's cousin and you are former Anbu. You're from Konoha, but you don't live here. Where do you live?" Sakura asked, angling towards him. She rested her elbow on the back of the bench and her arm grazed against his.

Sukea took a long drink of his hot chocolate before he answered. "I am actually stationed predominantly in Cloud."

"Really? I was there briefly myself a couple of years ago," Sakura said, smiling brightly. It was so weird, she'd just thought about Darui an hour ago when she'd been lamenting her jinxing their kiss.

"Oh? I forgot…," Sukea trailed off and then cleared his throat. "I forgot how small the world can be sometimes! I unfortunately cannot say why I was there. Can you say what brought you to Cloud?"

"Darui-kun asked me to inspect his hospital system and help modernize the system," Sakura explained. She smiled fondly at the memory. It had been an interesting time. Sai had actually accompanied her for the mission. While Kakashi had been just starting his tenure as Hokage at that time, it was during the period that Master Tsunade was still helping with some of the load. She'd been the one to arrange for Sakura to travel to Cloud — it had been a few weeks after her breakup with Sasuke and a change of scenary had been appreciated.

"Darui-kun?" Sukea repeated quietly, staring down at the pastry in his hand. "Isn't that the name of the Raikage?"

"Yes. I became friends with his partner C in the Medical Corps. We dated for a very short while — like less than two weeks, but it seems silly to use such formalities at this point," Sakura explained. She gestured between her and Sukea when his eyes snapped back up to her face. "Obviously nothing came of that or you and I wouldn't be here together now."

"Let me get this straight," Sukea said, wiping his hands on a napkin he plucked out of the bag. "You trained under the Fifth and Sixth Hokages, dated the Fifth Raikage, and if what I heard is right, saved the life of the brother of the Fifth Kazekage."

"When you put it like that it seems like I have a lot of important connections," Sakura murmured. And yet, most of her time was spent either working the hospital or home alone trying to recover from her hospital shifts.

"It can be lonely at the top," Sukea said cryptically.

"I could probably visit you — in Cloud," Sakura said. "I'm sure Darui-kun and C would be happy to find an excuse for me to work with their medics."

"Hm," Sukea answered vaguely. "Are you finished?" He gestured towards her empty hands with a napkin.

She wiped her hands and then stuck the napkin in the takeout bag. "Yeah, let's find a rubbish bin and make our way." They walked together, keeping their hands to themselves along the pathway lined by red maples. Sakura was mentally kicking herself. Why would she bring up Darui? They barely dated — three dates in a two week period. He'd been tall and well-built and they got along well, but had absolutely no chemistry. They'd laughed about it after their awkward kiss — definitely nothing more than friends.

"Would you be interested in having dinner at my place tonight?" Sakura asked.

"You're not inviting me to go and pick up your hell-spawn foster cat?" Sukea asked with a smirk. He reached for Sakura's hand and she let him take it.

"You're welcome to come with me to the animal shelter," Sakura said. "But I'm planning for dinner at six. You already know where I live."

Sukea nodded. "I'll be at your place at six. Should I bring anything?"

"Just you!" Sakura said.

"Wait, a moment," Sukea said. He pulled his camera out of his bag and gestured for Sakura to stand against him. "Look into the lens." He snapped a photo of them with the red maple trees in the background.

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OoO

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The butterflies were active that fall morning, their colorful wings a sharp contrast to the red foliage. Naruto and Hinata were already there when Sakura and Sukea/Kakashi arrived. Naruto had a black knit sweater and his classic orange cargo pants and a pair of boots. Hinata wore a light purple long-sleeved dress, with overly generous cleavage on display, a pair of black leggings and heels.

Sakura went to help Hinata fix her hair and touch up her makeup while Sukea/Kakashi set up the camera with Naruto.

Kakashi snapped a photo of Naruto once he centered him in the frame. "That's a good spot." He stayed behind the camera while Sakura escorted Hinata to stand next to Naruto. She arranged the two of them, Hinata's hands on Naruto's arm and then upper chest. Then proceeded to fan Hinata's face to try and lessen the blush.

"Don't worry about the blush, Sakura-chan," Naruto said laughing. "It's Hinata's natural state these days."

Hinata's blush deepened.

Sakura's hands clenched into fists and Naruto flinched on reflex. "I'm not going to hit you, Naruto. It's Hinata's job to keep you in check these days."

Naruto chuckled and rubbed his neck. Sukea/Kakashi snapped a picture. "Yeah, she makes sure I'm eating my vegetables too now. Do you know how many times Kakashi-sensei would fill up my refrigerator with fresh vegetables?"

"He did?" Sakura asked. "Good! I thought I was the only one that did that."

"No, between the two of you, I got plenty of vegetables in my diet," Naruto complained.

"And you grew big and strong," Hinata murmured.

Another photograph taken, this one showcased the butterflies in the background. Sukea/Kakashi braced his hand on his hip as he surveyed the trio. He sometimes got the three of them in the frame, but was also careful to angle it so that it was just Naruto and Hinata. And he may have taken a few candid shots of Sakura while he was at it.

"Okay, Hinata, put your arms around Naruto's neck. Naruto you look down into her eyes and Hinata you look up at him," Sakura ordered, positioning her friends. She clucked her tongue and then angled Naruto's face with a finger to his jaw and Hinata's after lifting her chin. "Perfect." She stepped back.

Sukea/Kakashi found his attention on Sakura and he had to redirect to take photos of the engaged couple. After a few shots in this position, he looked around for ideas. "Why don't I get a picture of the two of you walking side by side down the trail with the tall flowers flanking you, holding hands?"

"Great idea!" Naruto enthused. He grabbed Hinata's hand and tugged her towards the trail.

Sukea/Kakashi took several images of Naruto dragging his fiancé after him — it really captured their relationship. Naruto rushing into things and Hinata trailing after him with full confidence. Sakura moved to his side and watched with a big smile as he got several more photos of the couple.

"What do you think about getting some photos of them along the maple tree trail we were on earlier?" Sakura asked.

"Sounds good," Sukea/Kakashi agreed. "It's getting close to your date with the animal shelter. Though, I wouldn't blame you if you changed your mind."

"I haven't changed my mind," Sakura murmured. "If you're going to be off in Cloud, I'll need someone to come home to," she said with a small, self depreciating laugh.

Sukea/Kakashi frowned. He thought about the puppies. "I got some good photos of you too," he said.

"You're supposed to be focused on Naruto and Hinata," Sakura chided, reaching for his hand.

Sukea/Kakashi linked their hands together as they followed after the engaged couple. "Hey, I'm free labor. I'll take photos of whatever inspires me."

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Sakura was in love with a four legged, black furred feline with amber eyes. He stared up at her in adoration and she hugged him against her the whole way home. Once inside her apartment, she unsealed the scroll that stored the supplies she had purchase from the shelter. She worked to set up the cat's place in her apartment. The fostering would last a few weeks, but if she and the cat got along, she was looking forward to having someone to come home to.

"You want to help me make dinner?" Sakura asked the cat.

He meowed up at her, but other than a twining around her leg, didn't react.

Sakura started on steaming the rice, grilling the meat and vegetables. She set her timer on her stove and then focused on her new furry friend. "Okay, I think I'm going to call you Midnight. Do you like that name? Do you like being called Midnight?" She crouched and the cat rubbed his nose against her palm.

Sakura walked over towards the bag full of toys. She found a fishing pole with feathers attached to the end and dangled it before Midnight. He leapt up into the air, catching the feathers between his paws.

After a few rounds of catching the feathers, Midnight pounced on Sakura's shoulders and she fell to the ground at the unexpected weight of the large cat. She giggled as the cat's rough tongue licked her chin and then the smell of smoke caught Sakura's attention.

She hurried back to the kitchen and tried to flip over the grilled meat and vegetables. "No, no, no," she repeated in a mantra. She shouldn't have played with Midnight. She should have known multi-tasking was not going to work out for her!

The food was thoroughly scorched. Even the rice was overdone.

Midnight meowed at her ankle, looking up at her with curious amber eyes. "Let's see if grandma and grandpa can save the day," Sakura murmured, crouching towards the cat and stroking her hand over the soft fur of his back.

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OoO

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Kakashi paced Genma's living room, his hands stuck into his front pants pockets. He wore what he considered his Hokage uniform — black tactical pants and black three-quarter long sleeved shirt that allowed his forearms more flexibility and had an attached mask. His cloak was at the office. And thankfully, his hair was free of his stupid wig. It tended to fall into his eyes more often without a forehead protector, but it was manageable. He was almost used to being able to use both eyes and his depth perception was significantly improved — not to mention his chakra reserves were much greater without the constant drain. He looked strong. He felt strong. So why did he feel so weak in the knees?

"So, you tried to write Sukea out of the story by saying he had a long-term mission in Cloud," Genma repeated. He laid back on his couch, his feet propped on his coffee table, legs crossed at the ankle completely relaxed. "And forgot that Sakura had done a mission there years ago and was friends with the Raikage."

"Not just friends," Kakashi pointed out. "She dated him! Sakura dated the Raikage!"

"I wonder how you'll measure up," Genma teased. "Shouldn't you go put on your costume if you're going to be on time for your dinner date? Kakashi is late. But Sukea is punctual."

Kakashi ran his fingers through his unruly silver hair. "I don't want to go as Sukea," he pouted.

"Then go as yourself. Say Sukea left and asked you to go in his stead," Genma suggested. "Honesty is the best policy. I gotta tell you. Shizune and I were finally honest with each other and it's amazing, Hatake."

"You're no help," Kakashi growled.

"You should bring a bribe. Sweets, flowers, wine. Whatever. But don't turn up empty handed," Genma advised. "Now, get out of here! Go get your girl!"

Kakashi passed a stand with dango sticks and picked up a box. He remembered Sakura used to love sweet plums, but after she and Naruto had been transported to one of Obito's other dimensions, she'd come back strongly disliking her previously favorite snack.

He made it to Sakura's front door ten minutes early. He was the Hokage, the renown Copy Ninja, was the highest grossing shinobi in the Bingo book for ten years straight at one point and helped take down a deranged goddess and saved the world along with his precious team. He should not feel nervous now!

Normally, when he visited Sakura, he'd just use the window and appear in her apartment. He had his hand raised to knock on the door when it opened in front of him and Sakura stood there blinking at him in shock. She looked amazing. Her hair was loose about her shoulders and she wore a pretty white dress with pink flowers that matched her hair, and made the color of her eyes pop. It also accentuated her curves in such a way that Kakashi started to have difficulty breathing.

"Lord Hokage, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Really, Sakura?"

She rolled her eyes and then dragged him inside. "Kashi, is everything okay?" She shut the door behind him and he noticed her parents were in the kitchen.

"Am I interrupting?" Kakashi asked, confused by the presence of Kizashi and Mebuki Haruno. It had been years since he'd seen Sakura's parents. Their hair was a little grayer, but they mostly looked the same.

"Yes, Sukea is supposed to be here in…" Sakura's gaze shifted towards the clock on her wall. "Ten minutes."

"Sukea isn't coming," Kakashi blurted out. "He came by the office and informed me he had been summoned back prematurely."

Sakura's shoulders slumped in obvious disappointment.

Kakashi held out the box of dango he picked up. "I brought dango."

"Well don't let this food go to waste!" Mebuki said, her hands on her hips in a pose that Sakura had used multiple times over the years — usually around Naruto. "Invite the poor man inside, don't just stand in the doorway." Both Mebuki and Kizashi bowed at the waist. "Lord Hokage, it's an honor to see you."

"Would that be okay?" Kakashi asked, looking down at Sakura, he held his stomach and grimaced. "I didn't eat lunch today and I am pretty hungry."

"Yes, of course." Sakura smiled up at him briefly before dragging him further inside to the living room.

Kakashi turned towards Sakura's parents. "Thanks for your kind greeting, but all things considered, you can call me Kakashi for the evening."

"Okay, Kakashi," Kizashi said smiling. He hugged his daughter from behind— two pink heads of hair in close proximity. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Enjoy dinner with your friend. Don't be a stranger. Come visit us later this week, okay?"

"There's plenty of food. Why don't you stay?" Sakura said, turning to her parents. "It's not exactly a romantic dinner date anymore."

Kakashi held his hand over his heart and gasped dramatically.

Sakura chuckled with a roll of her eyes and a warm smile in his direction. "Just try to behave, Kashi. That's the price you'll pay for mooching a meal off of me."

Kakashi sniffed behind his mask. "I am not mooching. You invited me." He held the box of dango up. "And I brought a gift."

"True. Sorry. I'm just a little disappointed." Sakura turned to her mother. "Mom, Dad, I'm going to change into something more comfortable. Can you please set the table?"

"I'll help," Kakashi said, stepping into the kitchen and gathering the placemats and silverware.

"Oh. Okay." Sakura watched him for a moment and then disappeared into her bedroom.

He busied himself working with her parents to set the table and pass out the food before sitting at the table in awkward silence, waiting for Sakura to join them. Normally, this would be the time he'd pull out Make Out Paradise, but he thought given the situation, he should resist.

Sakura emerged a couple of minutes later. Her perfectly curled hair no longer cascaded down her back, but was secured in a messy ponytail at the base of her neck. The cute white dress she had on earlier, had been replaced by a dark red sweatshirt and a pair of charcoal gray leggings.

"Sakura! You look like a homeless person! Why did you change out of that cute outfit?" Mebuki scolded. She gestured towards Kakashi. "The Rokudaime is the most important person in our village and this is how you show your respect?"

"Kashi appreciates when I treat his medical injuries and bring him lunch. He doesn't care what I look like," Sakura argued. She pulled out the empty chair at the round table for four, between Kakashi and her mother.

Kakashi did care. He preferred her in the cute dress that showed off her curves. Though, the sweatshirt did slide off her shoulder a bit showing some enticing skin. "So what happened here? I smell a little smoke."

"I was distracted by Midnight and burned the dinner I was making. Mom and Dad brought their dinner over to help save the day," Sakura explained.

"It wasn't a big deal, Sakura. You know we always make extra," Mebuki reminded her gently.

The large black cat from the festival began to rub up on Kakashi's pant leg. At least its black fur wouldn't show up on his black pants. The feline peered up at him with those knowing amber eyes. Kakashi tried to silently tell it to not give up his secret.

Sakura rested her elbows on the table and balanced her chin in her palm. "I don't understand why Sukea couldn't leave until the morning."

"It must have been important," Kakashi hedged. Now that her parents were there, it did make his big reveal a little more difficult.

"Midnight really seems to like you, Lord Sixth," Kizashi noted, gesturing towards the black cat.

"Call me Kakashi for tonight," he repeated. Kakashi stared down at the cat. "It is surprising that he seems to like me, given how I generally have the scent of dog on me."

They expressed their gratitude for the meal and then began to eat. Kizashi and Mebuki took up the majority of the conversation— mundane topics mostly, a few questions about Naruto and Hinata's engagement.

Kakashi took the opportunity to slip his mask down and eat normal. However, he was disappointed that Sakura was feeling so sorry for herself she never once looked his way. She was too busy staring down at her own plate. He'd hoped she'd see his naked face and make the connection between him and Sukea without him having to go into a long explanation.

After he finished eating, sooner than the rest of the dinner party, he felt too exposed and secured the mask back in place.

"I don't know why you cover your face, Kakashi. It's a handsome one. It's silly that you even have the mask on the mountain carving," Mebuki said.

Sakura's attention snapped towards Kakashi and he gave her an eye smile. "You took your mask off. Just now?"

"Well, I needed to eat," Kakashi said quietly. He felt guilty at the look of her disappointment. But he'd make it up to her!

"I'm not feeling much like company." Sakura flashed them all an apologetic smile. "If you don't mind. I'd like to be alone with my cat for the rest of the evening."

"Of course, dear. Remember you're always welcome," Mebuki said, patting Sakura's shoulder. She nodded at Kakashi again. "It was a pleasure, Lord Sixth." Then she and Kizashi headed out, the door shut behind them.

Sakura turned towards Kakashi. "I'd like you to leave too, Kashi."

"I wanted to talk to you about Sukea," Kakashi explained.

"I don't want to talk about him," Sakura hissed. Her eyes welled up with tears, but they never fell. She took a deep breath and steadied her emotions.

"Please, Sakura. I just need a few minutes," Kakashi said.

"Not tonight, Kakashi. Please, just leave. We can talk later, okay?" She stood from the table and walked towards the door and held it open for him pointedly.

"I have puppies," Kakashi blurted out.

Sakura arched a pale pink eyebrow.

"Shiba has puppies. Would you like to come over tomorrow to play with them?" Kakashi gestured towards Midnight. "You can bring your cat if you want."

"I don't know if it's a good idea to mix cats with puppies." She smiled up at him sadly. "But I'd like to see Shiba's puppies."

Kakashi reached for Sakura's hand. "You looked really nice tonight, Sakura. Thank you for dinner."

Five minutes later, Kakashi was walking home slowly towards the Hokage Tower. It wasn't until he heard the fireworks that he remember the festival was for two nights in a row. He'd really enjoyed watching the fireworks from the docks of the Hatake estate with Sakura.

He was tired of being a coward. For such a supposed brave man, he was giving up way too easy. Kakashi turned on his heel, hurried back to Sakura's apartment complex, infused chakra to the soles of his feet and climbed up the three stories until he reached her balcony. Then he opened her sliding glass door and let himself inside.

Sakura sat up from her bed. She'd been stretched out in the sweatshirt from earlier, but her legs were bare and her black cat was curled up beside her. The cat sent him a surly look and Sakura stared at him in confusion.

"Kashi? What are you doing here?" She sat up straighter and her shirt rose higher.

It took more willpower than he knew he possessed, but Kakashi managed to keep his gaze on her face and not those long, toned legs. "Last night, you were on my property, watching the festival's fireworks."

"I was," Sakura admitted. "I didn't realize it was your property at first, but then when I found out, I didn't think you would mind."

He stood at the side of her bed and held his hand out towards her. "Come with me now. I want to watch the fireworks with you."

Sakura stared at his hand. "Kakashi, I've had a long day. We can talk tomorrow when I come over to play with the puppies."

"Please, Sakura." Kakashi was tempted to issue an order. "You know I don't like repeating myself."

She accepted his hand. "I should probably put on pants."

He grinned under his mask. "Totally optional, but it is a bit chilly."

Sakura chuckled at his quip. "Impossible man."

The cat glared at Kakashi, its long tail swishing back and forth in irritation.

"Should I bring my cat?" Sakura asked, staring down at her new pet. "I'm not sure if it's okay to leave him here by himself."

"Animals don't care for fireworks," Kakashi pointed out, finally releasing Sakura's hand. She started to hop into her pants from earlier. "He'll be fine. Make sure you set out some water and he knows where to find the kitty litter." He moved towards the balcony and then looked back at Sakura. "It will probably be easier if I carry you. I know exactly how to get there."

"You don't need to carry me, Kashi," Sakura retorted, angling her head to the side to peer up at him. "I'm not a damsel in distress tonight."

"Maybe I'd just like to prove that this old back of mine is still strong enough," Kakashi answered. "And I know you're not a damsel in distress."

"I can't believe you took your mask off in front of my parents and I didn't even notice," Sakura mumbled.

"If you come with me and let me carry you, I'll take it off for you when we get to the lakeside to watch the fireworks," Kakashi offered.

"Just so you can show another mask underneath?" Sakura asked, her tone skeptical.

"Come with me and find out," Kakashi invited. He held his arms out to her and Sakura stepped against him, arms looped around his neck and he lifted her up bridal style. He gave Midnight a salute and then flash-stepped them out of the apartment and towards his ancestral estate. . . .