TWENTY-ONE

SENSEI

Ten Years Ago….

"Did you see her?"

"Yes," said Tenzo as he adjusted Kakashi's arm which was over his shoulder. "I think everyone saw her, sempai."

"I need a woman like that. She was so strong. None of the cilivians can do that. Cilvians. Non-ninja."

"Civilians," Tenzo corrected as he half-carried Kakashi down the road. "I don't know why you torment yourself with those relationships. You don't have anything in common with them."

"Mm… they don't know me. I can't disappoint them if they don't know me." Kakashi grimaced. "All I want is a woman that can crush twenty—no—fifty watermelons between her legs and doesn't know me and lives in Konoha."

Tenzo noticed that at some point, Kakashi had stopped trying to walk at all. Tenzo was carrying Kakashi's full weight as the man's feet drag along the street. "Does that woman even exist?"

"No. I'm too fucking famous," Kakashi grunted as he extracted his arm from Yamato's grip, stumbling over to the building to lean on it. "Fuck, I think I drank too much."

"I would agree." It was a rare occasion that Kakashi wore unless if it was the aftermath of a grueling battle. He watched Kakashi lean against the wall before giving up and sliding down to the floor. Tenzo joined him, placing his elbows on his knees as he waited for Kakashi to get a grip on herself. Finally, Tenzo couldn't take the silence anymore. "You're too hard on yourself, sempai."

Kakashi made a miserable noise but didn't say anything in reply. Tenzo didn't bother asking either. He had known Kakashi long enough by this time to know there were certain anniversaries that involved heavy drinking. Kakashi didn't share the reason and Tenzo didn't ask.

That's just how things were.

Four Years Ago…

Yamato nodded in thanks as the server brought another drink to his table. The restaurant was quickly becoming one of his favorite places to eat after a long mission. It was always busy and for good reason. The food was excellent, the service was prompt, and there was always a familiar face. Maybe he should move to an apartment on this side of town.

Yamato's thoughts were interrupted by a giggle.

"Spill it, Forehead! What's the deal with Baldie?"

Yamato recognized the voice behind him, although he couldn't quite place it. He focused his chakra so he could hear the conversation better.

"Hound visited the other day when I was training with Tsunade-sama. He didn't get in the middle of our training; he just landed on the edge of training grounds. Out of nowhere, Tsunade-sama turns her attention away from me and throws a tree at him. He leaped into the air and used a lightning jutsu to destroy it."

Yamato smiled as he realized Sakura was talking about Kakashi. His former ANBU Captain had returned from Suna when everyone had written him off as dead. Yamato had met Kakashi outside of the Hokage's office before his mission a week ago. The only thing that had changed about Kakashi was his lack of hair; he had to shave it off in Suna so he wouldn't be so recognizable.

"I've never seen such an intense spar before. It was so cool."

"That's crazy! Did Hound make Tsunade-sama mad?"

"No. I think she was testing his skill. Or maybe she wanted to teach me something."

"Well, did you learn anything?"

Yamato turned from his seat, deciding it would be an excellent time to make his presence known. He might not be able to share much about Kakashi or his identity, but she should at least know that Hound was as loyal as they come.

Sakura giggled. "I learned he has a cute butt."

Yamato's greeting died his throat.

Sakura turned red as she noticed Yamato. "Sensei? What? Did you hear?"

"I hope you have a nice day, Sakura-chan." Yamato threw some money on the table and left the restaurant, leaving his half-eaten meal behind. He was going to have to find a new restaurant to frequent.

Present day…

Iruka raised his arm as he gave a toast to Naruto and Hinata. Yamato raised his cup with the rest of the crowd. It was hard to believe that Naruto was married and that Yamato was able to aid to the young man's growth.

"You must be very proud of him."

Yamato turned his head to see Kurenai standing at his shoulder. "I am. Thank you so much for your guidance. I don't think I would have been a proper jonin-sensei without your wisdom." Kurenai laughed. "Everyone could see you were completely lost. It's the least I could do with a team like yours."

"And where's Asuma?"

"He took Mirai home since it was past her bedtime; I think I'll stay out for another hour before joining them. We tried to find a babysitter, but everyone we trust with Mirai is here. Pretty soon our students are going to have children of their own."

Yamato chuckled in his glass.

"Speaking of which..." Kurenai looked at a spot somewhere behind Yamato. He turned his head slightly to see Kakashi and Sakura standing side-by-side as they spoke to Hinata. "How did you manage to pull that off? Even if I recognized the potential between the two of them, I don't think I would ever have mentioned it. Kakashi always completely shut down any time I ever mentioned anyone he should date. Then he would spend weeks avoiding me."

Yamato cleared his throat and gave a nervous smile. "Ah, well, I guess the timing was right. He can't run away if he's Hokage."

Kurenai gave a sly smile. "I suppose your right. Good evening, Kakashi-sama."

"Kurenai, how many times have I told you that you don't have to call me that? Please, drop the 'sama.'"

"I could, but it's more fun to see you squirm when I say it." Kurenai crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow. "Why aren't you dancing? Do you think it's wise to let Neji have the honors?"

Kakashi snorted. "Don't worry. I'm certain if they get a little too cozy one of my Anbu guards will break them up."

Kurenai's eyes widened. "You're joking. Please tell me you're joking and that you're not using a team of highly-trained assassins to watch over your life."

"It's a long story." Kakashi gave Yamato a suspicious look. It took every ounce of Yamato's training to not react.

Did he know?

"Is there any chance that we'll be attending your wedding soon? The two of you look cute together."

Kakashi stern gaze melted away into embarrassment. "Ah... Ah... No. Not for a few years at least. Sakura has only left the village a handful of times and none of the experiences were pleasant. I've been on so many missions and they've taken me all over the world. I've shared a few stories and she'll get this look on her face. Longing, maybe?" Kakashi hummed as he looked out into the crowd. Neji and Sakura were dancing the mambo.

"Sakura would probably say 'yes' if I asked her today. And then she would feel obligated to stay in the village. If she wants to go on a mission at that takes place during a dance competition, she should have the chance to do so without feeling guilty."

Sakura and Neji gave a bow to their audience as the song ended. The crowd was parted enough that Yamato could see Kankuro drinking out of an enormous fruit cocktail.

"And what about you?" Kurenai inquired mildly. "You're a mess. Are you sure you can handle it when your girlfriend's away?"

Yamato laughed as Kakashi scowled in her direction. When given the opportunity to voice her thoughts, few were as ruthless as Kurenai.

"I'm not going anywhere. And I trust that Sakura will come back to me. She did the first time around, after all."

Kurenai shook her head in disbelief. "Kakashi of the Sharingan is in love. I'd tell Asuma about this, but I don't think he'll believe me. I'm glad you've finally found some happiness, Kakashi."

Yamato saw Sakura headed in their direction and cleared his throat. "It's been nice catching up with the two of you, but I see someone I need to speak to." He liked the idea of Kakashi and Sakura together in the abstract sense. However, witnessing any affection between the two of them with his own eyeballs always left Yamato feeling a little uncomfortable. It would probably take him a few years before he would be used to it.

He just knew them too well, he supposed.

Yamato headed off the far end of the celebration towards a large tree with a wide canopy. Kankuro was waiting there, leaning against the tree as juggled wedding favors.

"Did you bring it?" Yamato asked.

Kankuro stopped juggling and reached into his pocket. "Yeah. I took a look at the contents. It was definitely not what I was expecting."

Yamato began to sweat. "I'm sorry, you had to witness that. We tried to make certain none of it left the village."

"You're lucky that it landed with Gaara and not with the Raikage. Gaara wants to preserve Kakashi's reputation as much ask anyone." He grimaced. "That's really bad poetry."

Yamato opened the scroll to look at the contents. Konoha already had a clean, unblemished copy in their archives. He burned the scroll, destroying the last evidence of their heartbroken Rokudaime.

"Thank you so much. Again, I'm sorry about. Next drink is on me to help you forget."

Kankuro snorted. "Yeah, I think I'm going to need like five." He held out his hand and waited as Yamato counted out the money. "Thanks." He clapped Yamato on the shoulder as he returned to the party.

Yamato sighed as he took a look at his watch. Anko's shift at gate duty had just finished ten minutes ago. Panther and Otter were dressed in civilian clothing and mingling with the rest of the party. If Kakashi and Sakura did anything else ridiculous, those two agents were more than qualified to handle the fallout.

Humming to himself, Yamato left the party and walked to Anko's home.

Six months later…

Kakashi jolted as the office door slammed open. Turning from his chair, he noticed one of the hinges had shattered. "Sakura! How many doors are you planning on destroying?"

Sakura ignored the question, waving the ANBU mask in her hand. "I was looking in the closet for that scroll you mentioned earlier and I found this! Is this yours? Were you Hound?"

Kakashi stared at Sakura in confusion. "Yes. I thought you knew I was in ANBU."

"Yes, but I didn't know you were Hound! I thought Hound was bald!" Sakura huffed as she threw her hands in the air. "Dammit, Yamato-sensei!"

A/N: And there we go. The end (sort of) of Ninja Dorks Flailing at Interpersonal Relations. I left the series open-ended because as some readers pointed out, it could pretty much go on for a ton more chapters. But I have other stories I want to write, so I have to end it some time. Bringing the series to a close with Yamato's POV seemed like the right thing to do. Shout out to Hiei's Cute Girl who pretty much guessed my ending when she pointed out Yamato's disappearance.

Sakura and Kakashi are the cutest and dorkiest couple in Konoha. 3