The next night, Kakashi was sitting in the Haruno family's backyard, one leg fully stretched and the other bent, his elbow resting on his knee, his right hand holding his weight steady on the soft, dewy grass beside him. Sakura was nestled in between his legs; his chin resting on her chin while her back was pressed snugly against his chest. He smiled as he watched her shift slightly, tucking her left leg under the right, which she stretched out next to his. A giggle fell from her lips as her bare toes tapped against the firm top of his sandal. Kakashi allowed his eye to close, a peaceful smile on his face as the stream babbled quietly next to them.
It was the most comfortable he'd felt in days, he realized as the tension melted away from his arms and his upper back. Ever since his apartment had been destroyed in the explosion, he and Sakura had only had fleeting moments here and there with one another and they hadn't been alone at all since it had happened. This was their first chance to just be with one another; no outside distractions, no uninvited eyes with their judgment. It was just the two of them tonight, under a waning gibbous moon and a dark field of flickering fireflies to set the ambiance.
"It's been about seven weeks, you know," her voice murmured quietly, eyes glancing up at him before going back to watching the light show across the stream.
Kakashi arched his eyebrow, confused for a moment before he realized what she must be talking about. "July 4th," he said simply. "It's been fifty days."
Her head shot around and he couldn't contain the chuckle when he saw the surprise in her shining green eyes. "You know how many days exactly?" She asked incredulously.
He shrugged, glancing up at the fireflies. "You're important to me, Sakura. I was thinking about you for weeks before the lagoon," he murmured the last half of his sentence with a light blush. She searched his face, a light smile on her lips.
"So it..." She started softly, trying to find her words. "It wasn't just sex for you, even then?"
Kakashi frowned, tilting her head up and shifting his body so that she could only focus on his face. "No, Sakura. It was never just sex," he told her, voice firm as he tugged down his mask. His lips covered hers in a quick, passionate kiss before he pulled away and added, "It was that first hot night of summer, when that awful humidity was in the air," he scowled as he remembered the constant stickiness of his skin and the suffocation of his uniform and mask in the oppressive heat. Then he continued, "You wore one of my shirts to sleep and...Kami, Sakura," his words came as a gasp, "You were so damn beautiful. I'd never seen someone so beautiful."
Sakura's cheeks were heated a deep shade of pink. He admired her for a moment, his lips half-turned in a smile as his fingertips lazily grazed down the side of her jaw. Moonlight really was her best lighting, he decided. She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his in another tender kiss before she settled back against his chest, watching a small tarpon hop make a dramatic leap from the water, landing back in with an impressive splash.
"I always thought you were hot," she admitted in a squeaky voice after several minutes, her words rushed together before she added more slowly, "But...I don't think I started really crushing on you-"
"Crush?" Kakashi chuckled, poking her nose with his index finger lightly. "Cute."
She scowled, continuing, "-until that really bad nightmare. You..." She blushed, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. "You became my safe place, Kakashi."
They settled into a comfortable silence; a loud symphony of toads, insects and leaves rustling gently on a late summer breeze playing as their own personal melody. Slowly, the fireflies began flickering out for the night, leaving the couple in a peaceful darkness illuminated only by the moon and stars above them. Kakashi smiled as he heard a small snore fall from her lips, her arms now clinging around him as she snuggled closer.
She woke up about thirty minutes later on her own, a gentle smile on her lips as she looked sleepily up at Kakashi. He stretched his legs, lifting his left when he felt a slight tingle in his ankle telling him his foot was in danger of falling asleep, too. He brushed his lips over Sakura's, his heart swelling as she pressed the palm of her hand softly against his cheek.
"I love you," she murmured against his lips, letting her forehead rest against his.
"I love you, too," he returned the sentiment, his hand finding her hair and fingers massaging her scalp for a few moments before he pulled away, keeping his hand where it was. "I think you're ready for bed, tenshi."
Sakura bit her bottom lip, smiling coyly up at him. "That's the first time you've ever used a nickname for me. Angel, hmm?"
He rolled his eyes playfully, moving to his feet and offering her his hand. "I thought you looked like an angel that night I...relieved myself in the shower," he told her awkwardly, lifting his free hand to his nape.
"I like it," she told him quietly, accepting his help up off the grass. She gathered the blanket they'd been sitting on and then gave him a small pout as she turned around to face him. "Are you sure you don't want to sleep on the couch?"
He leaned down, pecking her lips several times before he straightened his posture. He grabbed her hand and began leading her towards the staircase that would lead her up to her parents' loft.
"I'm sure," he answered her. "I'm planning on looking for a new place soon."
Sakura squeezed his hand, letting her lips graze across his shoulder as they stopped in front of the first stair. "I hope it doesn't take too long," she murmured, giving Kakashi a look that sent electricity down his spine. "I still have that little surprise you were supposed to get when you were released, after all."
He gripped her wrist firmly when he felt her press her ass up against his groin, a devilish grin on her face as she pulled away too soon for his liking. His eyes flashed and she felt her breath hitch in her throat as he leaned in close to her ear and let out a wolfish growl before whispering, "Don't tempt me, Sakura. The woods are fifty feet away."
A smirk of his own formed on his lips as he felt her go limp in his arms. He pulled away, a throaty chuckle rumbling in his throat as he patted her ass, nodding at the stairs.
"Tease," she whined, taking the first step up and then looking at him over his shoulder, eyes half-lidded and hazy. He slapped her ass more firmly a second time before taking a step back.
"Goodnight, Sakura," he told her, holding up two fingers in farewell before he used his Body Flicker technique to disappear in a flash, leaving behind a very hot and bothered Sakura to sulk her way up the stairs and into the loft.
-x-
A few minutes later, Kakashi was walking home along the outer wall of Konoha, near enough the welcoming green gates that he could see Izumo and Kotetsu playing a card game. The quiet sound of an old song he recognized from his youth was playing on the guards' radio, bringing a nostalgic smile to his face as he passed by the bench he'd been reading on when Gai had introduced himself in their childhood years.
He had just made it past the gatehouse, the sound of the music fading when he sensed it and stopped dead in his tracks, head whipping around and eyes narrowing. Every hair was standing up on the back of his neck, every instinct in his body telling him that something was wrong. Hand on his weapon holster, Kakashi quickly and silently made his way back towards Konoha's entrance; unsure of what to expect, but prepared for a fight.
He stopped when he was close enough to see a group hastily making their way through the gate. His hand dropped from his kunai when he recognized Boar's mask, blood-streaked and with a new crack in it. Eagle and Shizune were behind him carrying what Kakashi grimly realized was a stretcher, on which he saw a motionless Tenzo, arm hanging over the edge and fingers dragging on the street. His feet moved before his brain told them to, carrying him to his friend, his face searching Shizune's.
"He's alive," she answered his unasked question, eyes focused on the patient in front of her. Her eyes softened as she flicked them up to Kakashi's grey one for just a moment as she added, "He's actually better than he looks. I promise. I knocked him out with my medical chakra because I didn't have any more painkillers with me."
"What happened?" Kakashi growled at Boar, his eyes lifting to the masked man.
"Your ninken was able to get us to Tenzo's location in a day's run. We arrived mid-ambush," he answered evenly. "Anything else is confidential and for the Hokage's ears only. I'm sure you understand."
Kakashi nodded, stepping back and allowing them to make their way to the hospital, while he continued for Gai's house. He knew without trying that Tsunade would not entertain an unscheduled meeting with him tonight; not with so much going on. He would have to deal with this in the morning, once she had been debriefed and could properly appraise him of the situation.
Kakashi woke up the next morning to pots and pans clattering in the kitchen before the sun had even come up. He groaned, pulling the lumpy pillow he'd been using over his face in an effort to manage a few more minutes of sleep. As soon as Gai turned on the blender, he knew that wasn't going to happen and threw the pillow at the wall in frustration. He really did need to get on top of finding a new place.
"Ah, you're up!" Gai loudly exclaimed as he turned around with a smile far too cheery for this early hour. Kakashi winced as he stretched, moving to his feet and slowly making his way to where his friend had poured two cups of coffee. "I'm making a great power smoothie; it'll help with your healing."
Kakashi glanced at the blender, his stomach lurching at the unsightly color. "What all's in it?" He asked suspiciously, taking a sip of the bitter coffee. Gai grinned, pressing the blender's button again, the loud thrum of it grating on the silver-haired man's ears.
"Some spinach, of course, for the fiber and to aid in digestion," he chuckled, patting Kakashi's stomach. This earned a glare from him, but Gai continued, "A couple of raw eggs for the vitamins and energy boost and a bunch of-"
"You know, I'm still pretty full from those six bowls of ramen last night," Kakashi cut his friend off with a crinkled eye. Gai's grin didn't leave his face as he pulled out a large plastic cup and began pouring the questionable looking smoothie into it.
"More for me, then," the man beamed. Kakashi chuckled, taking his mug with him to Gai's dining room, where they sat and looked out over the small sliver of woods that came up to the back of the small house. They watched as a deer cautiously stepped out from the cover of the trees, leaning down and nibbling on a tall patch of grass. As they sat there, silently enjoying their coffee and the nature outside the window, Kakashi thought to himself that it might be nice to wake up to this kind of view rather than a busy street every day. It reminded him of the Haruno family's yard, and he pondered on whether or not Sakura would like something like this, too.
"You're thinking about her again," Gai chuckled, eyes still faced towards the deer but a knowing grin on his face as he flicked his glance briefly at Kakashi. When he saw the confused look on his friend's face, he elaborated, "Your face loses its edge and your eye gets a certain...shine."
Kakashi just smiled under his mask, glancing back to the deer. She'd noticed them now, and was standing still as a statue, her large black eyes not blinking as they watched one another for a brief moment before she was gone in a flash.
"I was thinking maybe she'd like to look out on a garden like that every morning," the silver-haired man explained.
Gai didn't speak for several moments, his face contorted in thought before he turned to face Kakashi with wide eyes. "She's got you thinking about a house, Kakashi?"
The silver-haired man smiled at his friend's disbelief. It wasn't exactly unwarranted; Kakashi had lived in that same apartment for the last decade; ever since he'd turned 21 and decided that it was time to leave the country house that he'd grown up in. There had been too many memories there, none of them particularly good. It had been years since he'd seen the place, but he was beginning to wonder if perhaps it was time to start thinking of going back there.
"I was actually thinking of going out to the old place," Kakashi told his friend slowly, gauging his reaction carefully. Gai looked stunned, as he'd expected, but then quickly grew a wide smile, his hand clapping hard down on Kakashi's shoulder.
"I have to admit, my friend; I had doubts about this relationship of yours," Gai told him through the smile. "But seeing the difference its made in you; seeing you finally facing old pain...I think she's good for you, Kakashi."
The silver-haired man smiled in agreement, turning to look back out the window. The sun was up now, and he knew that Tsunade was likely to be at her office by now. He sat the empty mug down on the table and stood, looking towards Gai and saying, "I appreciate everything you've done for me and been for me, Gai."
"Of course! Anything for my eternal rival," Gai waved him off. Kakashi just chuckled, stepping out of the door. He immediately began heading for the Hokage's tower, a determined look on his face. He needed to find out what had happened on Tenzo's mission, and how Yoji was involved.
Kakashi had been right; when he arrived at the Hokage's tower, she was already in her office. She wasn't alone, however; when the door was opened to his knock, Kakashi recognized a man with long, ashy blonde hair and piercing blue eyes immediately.
"Inoichi," he greeted the large man, who nodded in his direction. The silver-haired man glanced at Lady Tsunade, bowing his head respectfully. "Lady Hokage."
"Now that everyone is here. Even those of you who weren't invited," she shot a fiery glance at Kakashi, but continued, "Tenzo was brought back alive and in stable condition to the village late last night. My assistant, Shizune, had him knocked out with medical chakra, but he's awake today and has been debriefed. He confirmed what we already suspected: Root is involved in this mess." She looked around the room, waiting for anyone to speak up. When no one did, she added, "Inoichi, how much of the situation are you aware of?"
"Not much," he answered, his voice serious. "Just that we studied and autopsied three bodies from the Land of Earth, and then later one more."
Tsunade glanced at Kakashi, who nodded and explained, "The first three bodies were the team who killed an ANBU agent back in June. Back then, we had no idea what Iwa agents were doing in the Land of Fire. At the beginning of this month, the Lady Hokage's office was broken into. Files pertaining to Team Ro were stolen. Tenzo, myself, and Haruno Sakura were sent to retrieve both the files and the thieves alive to be interrogated."
"I'm assuming Morino Ibiki was their interrogator?" Inoichi spoke as Kakashi paused. The silver-haired man nodded.
"Yes," he answered Inoichi before continuing, "That's when I remembered a mission Team Ro was sent on seventeen years ago, to the Land of Earth. At that time, the team consisted of myself, Tenzo...and Aburame Yoji," he narrowed his eyes as he said the name.
"What was the mission goal?" Inoichi asked him, his eyes turning to ice as he realized the severity of what Kakashi was beginning to imply.
"To retrieve a girl," Tsunade answered for him, bringing Inoichi's gaze to her. "Most of the records have been redacted; no doubt by Shimura Danzo and the late Third Hokage. "Last week, I ordered the members of former Team Ro to assemble in my office for a debriefing of that mission after obtaining permission from the Council," she hissed, nostrils flaring as she recalled the humiliating blow to her position.
Kakashi's eyes widened when something finally hit him. It had been bothering him, that note that Tenzo had sent with his pangolin. He knew his former teammate's skills well and knew there was no way that Tenzo had been trailed by anyone close-range. He was far too stealthy and far too experienced at covering his tracks.
"The meeting," he snapped out, his eyes meeting Lady Tsunade's. "That's the only chance he would have had to get that beetle on him, Lady Hokage."
Tsunade's face paled and then slowly; as her eyes began darkening to near-black and her slender fingertips began digging into the desktop, her complexion became a deep red color, her hands fisting and coming down with clattering force onto the desk.
"Right under my damn nose!" She growled angrily, narrowing her eyes. "Shizune!"
The door opened immediately, and the small woman quickly made her way into the room, bowing deeply. Before she could speak, Tsunade's booming voice filled the room again.
"Call on Boar, Eagle, and Fox," she told Shizune before thinking for a moment and adding, "Also summon Nara Shikaku, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai. I want them to bring Aburame Yoji in for questioning immediately!"
"They'll need a-"
"They'll have their fucking warrant," Tsunade spat, her hand already furiously scrawling on an open scroll in front of her. When she'd finished writing it, she thrust it at Shizune, who was rushing out the door the second it was in her fingertips.
After a tense silence, Inoichi cleared his throat and met the Hokage's enraged gaze and asked, "Is there anything else I should know before preparing for his interrogation?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, pulling the piece of paper that Tenzo had retrieved out of her desk, handing it to him as she spoke, her every word laced with anger, "Yes. We are now operating under the hypothesis that Root is responsible for the three explosions on August eleventh. We are also going on the hypothesis that Aburame Yoji participated in an unsanctioned attack on a fellow Leaf shinobi. This stays between us, Yamanaka. Consider this a black ops mission and report only to me. Understood?"
"Yes. I understand, Lady Hokage," he answered in a terse voice before using the body flicker technique that Kakashi himself was so fond of, making his exit and leaving the silver-haired man alone with Tsunade. She waited for several moments and then sighed, her eyes meeting his.
"It's safe to say those remains won't be there by the time another team gets there," she told him, pressing her fingers to her temple and closing her eyes. Kakashi saw a hint of weariness with the anger and frowned, nodding. She was right.
"What's our next move, Lady Tsunade?"
Her voice was tired as she spoke, already waving him towards the door. "We wait for Inoichi to do his job," she answered him curtly. Before she had a chance to tell him to get out, the door was already closed behind him.