I AM SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG! (TWO WHOLE WEEKS!) PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Needed to deal with Graduation and all that jazz!

(Yeah, I just graduated high school. Yup! I'm only 17! Some people would argue that that means I am too young to write sex scenes but I think if I've had sex I should be able to write about it, right? TMI? lol, major tangent mode.)

Alright so I am pretty sure this won't live up to the rest of my chapters but I needed it to tie up some loose ends. Also, it is a transitional chapter of sorts so bear with me. And yea, once again… I apologize that it's not as awesome as it could be. Need to get this done though so we can get to the rest of the good stuff. As I said before, we are coming to the end!

A shout out to all the reviewers out there, thank you so much. And since I can't PM Amori-chan, I will say my thanks of here. Thank you so much for such an in depth review and all of your encouragement. Reviews like that make me want to keep going! And Amori-chan isn't the only one! Thank you to MusoukaS and NoaShi and XxNarutoFanGurlxX so many others for your wonderful reviews. (Sorry I didn't name everyone! But much love to you all!)

And a thank you to my little helper, Floppy 3 ICE CREAM

Anywayyyyyyyyy, on with the show, yea?

For the second day in a row Sakura woke up encased in warmth. This time, however, there was no one banging on the door so she had no intention of sneaking out of her heaven on earth. Better still, unlike the morning before she now had no problem admitting who the warm arms wrapped loosely around her waist belonged to.

Kakashi.

Sakura breathed in deeply, savoring the masculine mix of scents uniquely Kakashi. She pressed her face against the smooth muscular chest beneath her. Damn, did it feel good to have his bare skin pressed against her own.

She didn't know how she had ended up on top of him –probably some maneuvering on his part during the night– but she didn't really care. Her inner thighs pushed against his outer ones deliciously. Her intimates pressed against his semi-erection in a particularly titillating way. Inner Sakura was more than pleased with this turn of events. So pleased, that it was enough to make the rest of Sakura's psyche hungry for more.

This was both great and unfortunate as Sakura was sure she would never get enough of her silver haired lover but she was still pretty groggy from the night before. Then Kakashi stirred beneath her, innocently rocking his hips against hers and Sakura knew there was no way she could deny herself. She couldn't bring herself to care that she was becoming as lecherous as her bedmate.

Sakura pressed her pelvis down into Kakashi's and licked her lips.

Kami bless morning wood.

Feeling the need to satisfy and be satisfied in return, Sakura shimmied up the man she lay on as Kakashi groaned, probably due to the friction she was creating.

It was now clear that the silver haired ninja was awake but Sakura tested just to be sure. Her tongue darted out and ever so gently traveled up the shell of her lover's ear.

"Sakura," Kakashi murmured as a warning. Unfortunately it produced an effect opposite to what was desired; it spurred the little rosette hell cat on.

Sakura smiled devilishly as a rather kinky idea popped into her head. No doubt it was probably the plot for one of Kakashi's Icha Icha books. This meant that he would have no problem playing along.

"You know, I am still mad at you for failing me on that taijutsu test." She pouted, gripping his shoulders.

"That was how many years ago? Doubtless, you've improved since then." Kakashi said as he placed his hands on her rounded hips. "Is this really what you want to talk about right now?"

Sakura ignored his question and forged on.

"Still," Sakura playfully bit her lip and let a finger trail down the expanse of his chest. "I think you should take it back. Give me a passing grade. I'm sure I can more than make up for it."

Luscious thighs squeezed Kakashi's own as an already wet and waiting sex began to grind into him. Her lips brushed against his ear as Kakashi's testis tightened, his erection roaring to life. He suppressed the moan that was bubbling up in his throat and bit out through gritted teeth, "Kami, Sakura. Aren't you tired?"

Sakura pushed up and braced herself against Kakashi's pecs. "Aren't you interested?" She had meant to sound coy but it ended up coming out less like a vixen and more like a wounded kitten.

Damn it. Way too childish.

Kakashi sighed and placed his hands over hers, caressing the tops of them lightly. "That's a stupid question. I just assumed you wouldn't be quite this animated at," he paused to look over at the clock on the nightstand, "eight in the morning."

"I thought there were never any stupid questions, only idiots who asked the wrong things."

"Well, now we have one for the books eh?" Kakashi flashed a winning smile. "But what is it you had in mind, minx?"

Sakura bit her lip as her cheeks became dusted with pink. "Well, I thought it might be nice to play off of our past relationship. Plus, I was thinking maybe this time you could take me up on that shower offer." Fear of his rejection suddenly roared through Sakura's veins and she looked away from Kakashi. Her arms came up instinctively to cover herself and being the loving, albeit horny man he was, Kakashi quickly batted them away.

"You're beautiful Sakura. Don't go shy on me now." He smiled with such sincerity that Sakura found herself speechless. He loved her, loved looking at her.

"And as to that idea of yours…" his voice tailed off as his sweet smile changed into a mischievous smirk. "I would love to."

Kakashi quickly flipped them over so Sakura was securely below him and proceeded to thoroughly kiss all of her worries and inhibitions away.

Hinata pushed herself out of bed and rubbed her eyes. Blinking a few times to clear away any blurriness, she stood and made her way to the bassinette by the window. She found what she more or less expected, an empty crib.

For the past two days, Hinata had woken up in the morning suddenly aware of the coldness that embraced her. This chill went bone deep when Hinata also came to realize that her husband's side was not slept in. On further search she found that their daughter was not in her crib but rather out on the porch sleeping peacefully in her daddy's arms.

Two nights in a row...

Hinata was beginning to think that was Naruto pulling away from her. It seemed possible that after having a baby he no longer found her attractive, though Hinata had to admit that she looked no different than she had before and it had been almost a year since Aiko was born.

Her only other guess aside from a lack of attraction was perhaps he simply had fallen out of love with her. It wasn't uncommon for a human heart to be fickle and ninja's tended to live such short lives that settling down was usually a daunting prospect. Maybe Naruto was beginning to regret his decision to marry in general. Or maybe more specifically, to marry her.

But then again, maybe she was just being paranoid. It was probably her own insecurities that had led to this, not Naruto's lack of interest. It was only two nights, after all. Hinata chastised herself for taking it so seriously.

She slowly pushed open the front door and padded out onto the terrace barefoot. In the far corner in a gently swaying rocking chair was the blonde that she had loved since childhood, holding their beautiful baby girl. He continued to rock, his eyes not leaving the child nestled in his arms even as she approached.

Hinata knew he knew that she was there and the fact that he didn't acknowledge her made her heart break and her paranoia seemed founded.

Perhaps it was plausible… but…

"N-N-Naruto." She was on the verge of tears. Could he not even look at her now? In the past, whenever she stumbled upon him outdoors with their baby he would smile up at her and offer his lap as they held their baby together. But now… was he disgusted by mere sight of her?

He didn't speak or turn his head. It was too much.

Shy, timid Hinata who would have rather kill herself than admit her hurt feelings did the unspeakable; she crumbled at Naruto's feet. The façade of the strong but shy, happy but hesitant Hinata fell away and left the frightened, devastated version on her knees. "What have I done to warrant this treatment?"

Naruto's head snapped up. Not only had she screamed which she never did. Not only had she asked him a question that shocked him to no end. No, more than any of that… she hadn't stuttered.

"Hinata," he spoke softly. It felt like a caress on her numb skin. She was cold through and through.

Was this the moment where he ended it?

She looked down at her knees until she saw his feet in front of her. His bare toes pressed against the fabric of her nightgown. Her eyes shot up to meet his cerulean ones.

Kneeling, he cradled their baby in one arm and let his now free hand cup her cheek. "I am sorry Hina-chan. I have been thinking a lot. I feel as though I have failed everyone."

Naruto sighed and swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I failed Sakura by failing Sasuke. She asked me for a once in a lifetime promise, to bring him back. I still haven't. And I almost destroyed what she has now. I've failed them all Hinata. Sasuke. Sakura. Even Kakashi. If I can't help my team then I have no business being Hokage."

In a moment of true vulnerability coupled with an actual understanding of the situation, Naruto leaned forward and nuzzled his wife's cheek. "Even more than that, if I have hurt you as it seems I have then I've got no business being a man of Konoha."

"Naruto-kun," her voice cracked with emotion. "I had no i-i-i-i-dea"

Naruto tried his best not to be disappointed that her stutter had returned. He could only hope that one day she would grow out of her fear of speaking and tell him the truth even if it was tough. She had done it minutes ago and she voice was strong, clear. Maybe one day, that would be the norm.

"Shh," he leaned back as he stopped his tangential thoughts and came back to the conversation. He let his thumb brush over her lips. "You look beautiful did you know that Hina-chan?"

She blushed at this and secretly welcomed the change of subject. It felt like ages since he had complimented her. She didn't realize how much she liked his kind words or how often he had praised her until he stopped doing so.

"I am g-glad y-you think so."

Naruto leaned forward and kissed the top of Hinata's head. "Now let's go back inside. I am hungry. How about instant ramen?"

Hinata smiled and relaxed into his touch. The universe had realigned.

With her hand in his, Naruto led his beautiful wife back inside their house. He knew that he had been unintentionally hurting her by wallowing in his misery. As obtuse as he was, he never wanted to neglect Hinata or her feelings. She was without a doubt, the pure heart that lit his way when he shrouded himself in dark thoughts. He loved her unequivocally and would never give up the serenity she instilled in him with her presence.

Their baby gurgled as they laid her down and climbed into bed, wrapping themselves around each other. The ramen was somehow forgotten.

"Te-tell me when y-you feel this way. I w-w-want to be there f-for you."

Naruto's grip around her tightened. "I know Hina-chan. We should go to Sakura's later. I need to apologize and I would like you to be there with me."

"Of-of course." She smiled against his shoulder. She relished the feeling of his strong chest and powerful arms around her.

"We can sleep. Eat ramen. Go after." He yawned and pulled her over him as though she were a living blanket. She didn't complain.

The hot water hitting her shoulders and back should have been relaxing but Sakura was unbelievably tense. She was naked in front of a man who looked like a Kami. Every plane of his body seemed to be hand craved by the gods. Even the sinewy scars that peppered his body looked as though they had been drawn by an artist. Then again, ninjas were artists. Blade wielding artists of death perhaps, but artists nonetheless. So perhaps her musings weren't that farfetched.

"Sakura, relax." Kakashi kissed her soft and slow making her shiver and mew against his lips. But it wasn't enough; he couldn't taste her. Just like that, the dam broke. He plunged his tongue past her lips delving into her mouth and moved his hands over to cup her breasts, thumbs rough against her nipples. Sakura's hand slid down his back, enjoying how his muscles clenched under her palms as she felt her way along the curve of his spine.

They broke away for that pesky thing called oxygen and Kakashi bent his head until his forehead pressed into hers. His voice was raspy with need as he spoke.

"Touch me."

Such a simple request held so much meaning. Kakashi didn't ask for anything. He was a martyr in a sense, always putting others first. To hear him so openly wanting her affection and attention caused Sakura's heart to skip a beat. How could she deny him anything?

She let her hands slip down to his rear and boldly pulled him into her. They moaned together as their wet flesh met and kissed again, tongues dancing until Sakura broke away. She kissed his cheeks, his chin, across his jaw line and neck and then made her way down his stomach while dragging her nails along his sides.

Sakura knelt before him and looked up. Though on her knees, she had never felt so powerful. She was in control. She lost herself to the influence she now possessed over the skilled man before her.

Sakura took Kakashi's member into her mouth as she clung to his upper thighs. He was large and therefore it was impossible for her to take him fully into her mouth without deep throating him, something she wasn't comfortable doing… yet. Nevertheless, she continued her assault, licking along the underside with every pass she made.

Kakashi looked down at the gorgeous vision before him. Her breasts swayed with every move she made. Her cheeks were hollowed out as she blew him with the same zeal she possessed on the battle field. It was scary and incredibly sexy. It was her first time, he knew that, but it seemed like she was a far cry from inexperienced.

Still, he felt a few pointers might help her out. He could only hope that she wouldn't take it in the wrong way. Then again, she was the one that had suggested playing off of their former student-teacher relationship. Maybe a little mentoring was in order.

He closed his eyes as one hand tunneled into her pink hair and managed to get out between gasps, "You can use your hands too."

Sakura stopped, closing her eyes and Kakashi began to worry that she was going to do something truly evil like bite down. But then her hands let go of his legs and tentatively came to wrap around his length. She began to pump and squeeze her hands in tandem with the same tantalizing leisurely rhythm to which she sucked him off. On the withdraw she was slow until his head popped out of her mouth with a wet smack and bounced slightly. She would then lap around and dive back in, repeating the entire process again.

To put it in its simplest terms, Kakashi was in heaven. Her warm wet mouth and the slight roughness of her tongue combined with her skillful hands was bringing him close to his orgasm. And then, she stopped her gentle drags across his arousal and one after the other gave each of his testicles a soft suck as she rolled them, in turn, around in her mouth.

Kami! Where did she learn to do that?

He could feel his balls tightening in anticipation but he would be damned if he finished before she did. Kakashi pulled Sakura away and fell to his knees, kissing her hard enough to knock her off balance.

His arm came around her waist to guide her fall as she came to rest on her back on the shower floor. He moved forward to cover her from the shower spray. It was an act that Sakura would have been grateful for if she had been able to think at that moment which wasn't the case by any stretch of the imagination.

Kakashi leaned over and licked his way down until he reached her hips. He nipped one playfully before reaching his end goal. He began to lick inside of her, her walls clenching around his tongue as if trying to pull him further into her silky, hot depths.

Her hands were woven into his hair, pulling hard. It made his scalp burn but that only heightened Kakashi's pleasure. He sucked on her swollen clit knowing how it would make her shudder. Her back arched, forcing her off the cool tiles beneath her.

Sakura was the most glorious sight Kakashi had ever seen; her breasts surged forward as she spread her thighs as far apart as the shower would allow.

"Don't stop. Please, please, please don't stop."

He wanted to tell her that he had absolutely no intention of doing so but that would have required him to, in fact, do so. Therefore, he remained silent and let her wrap a leg around his shoulder. She pressed herself harder against his mouth as he continued to lavish affection on her dripping core.

Kakashi felt her thighs start to tremble and knew she was close. He smiled against her and brought his hands up to knead her thighs. He didn't increase his pace nor press harder but rather continued to stroke her steadily as she writhed and screamed his name. He licked and sucked, letting her ride her climax out before taking her hands in his and disentangling them from his hair.

"Better love?" He said with a smile as he kissed her again. The mixture of tastes, her in his mouth and him in her own, was divine. He pulled away when he realized that if he didn't stop he would take her right then and there.

"Nothing to be afraid of," Kakashi vowed between breathes.

Sakura nodded, unable to speak and let him pick her up. Her arms and legs instantly latched around him and she ignored the soft chuckle her actions earned as a response.

Kakashi turned off the water and led them out of the bathroom, not even bothering to dry off.

"What is the point of showering if we will just end up hot and sweaty all over again," Sakura murmured against his shoulder.

"We can always shower again afterwards," Kakashi said with a smirk as he deposited Sakura onto her bed and pushed her back. He then climbed on top of her and claimed her mouth with his.

When her lips were thoroughly ravished and swollen from his treatment, he bit and sucked on her throat and then on her breasts, leaving deep red marks in his wake.

Sakura arched underneath him, her brain a mass of goo sloshing around in her skull. His lips sent a blast of pure pleasure rocking through her body and her hands went up to hold him closer. Her fingers raked through his hair and she moaned as he sucked on her peaked nipples.

It felt so good… so good… so…

Sakura sensed another presence.

"K-kami Kakashi! Naruto is right outside the door!" Sakura breathed out and pushed Kakashi off of her with a small dose of chakra infused strength.

"Oh, no you don't!" Kakashi flipped Sakura around and onto her stomach, effectively pinning her beneath him. "There is absolutely no way you are getting off this mattress until we are finished. I've waited far too long to have you. Naruto can wait a few more minutes to have you too. Of course, not in a way anywhere near as pleasurable."

Sakura could feel his Cheshire grin even though she couldn't see it. Normally, she would have protested this kind of treatment but at the moment she couldn't find it in herself to argue. She didn't want to leave the warmth and pleasure Kakashi provided. She rolled over to face him and ran her hands down his chest, loving how his eyes screwed shut in pleasure.

"If he barges in here and catches us like this it will be your fault."

"Well," Kakashi began between kisses, "he will have to find out sooner or later."

Sakura made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a snort. "You're terrible."

"That's not what I recall you screaming last night," Kakashi growled as he pressed her hips harder into the mattress. A moan was all she seemed capable of at that moment but Kakashi didn't seem to mind. He smiled as his hands slid up her neck and cradled her face.

Sakura pressed forward and brought their lips together in another heated kiss. She bit his lower lip, pulling it into her mouth and sucking hard on it. Kakashi groaned and eased himself between her legs, pulling her hips up to meet his own. She helped, moving against him, wanting more than anything to feel him inside her again filling the longing that now made her ache.

He didn't disappoint.

Kakashi's hips surged forward and she filled her completely, letting himself sink in to the hilt. He planted his palms on either side of Sakura's hips and began to pound into her mercilessly. She moaned at the pull of their skin against one another.

Sakura was lost in his rough and unregimented thrusts, in the pleasure and pressure, in the pounding of her blood in her ears and he how moved with such power and grace inside her. Kami, She was lost in all that Kakashi was. Every movement, every breath, every sound. The world seemed to revolve solely around him.

For the second time in Sakura's life she was mindless and speechless as Kakashi brought her to the brink and shot her rocketing up into the heavens and back down again.

Tsunade closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, enjoying the familiar burn of alcohol as it sang on its way through her blood stream.

Nothing like a little alcohol poisoning to take the edge off of a bad day… which just began.

The blonde haired woman slumped forward in her chair and let her cheek press against the cool surface of her desk. One hand slipped down onto her lap while the other stayed securely wrapped around her sake bottle as if someone might storm in and pluck it out of her fist.

Of course, there was a rather large chance that someone, namely Shizune, might walk in and do just that.

Tsunade sighed and opened her eyes, head still down. She surveyed the rather large stack of papers beside her and wondered, not for the first time, why she had decieded to become the Fifth Hokage. It had its highlights yes, but for the most part it was painfully dull.

Unless… An AMBU appeared before Tsunade causing her to look up. She glowered at the man or woman before her. Honestly, those masks could be so annoying sometimes. She was a firm believer that androgyny was rarely if ever, a good thing.

"Yes?" Tsuande drawled.

"Urgent report, Lady Hokage."

Well, damn. That meant she had interesting business to attend to. Tsunade tucked the sake bottle into the top right drawer of her desk and eyed the ANBU agent witheringly. "First off, you are not to mention to Shizune or anyone else that my bottle is in the top right drawer. No wait, you are not to mention that there even is a bottle. Clear?"

The AMBU remained silent. A slight inclination of their head was the only acknowledgment given to the Hokage's demand. It seemed to be enough to satisfy her.

"Alright then, onto business. What happened?"

The ANBU agent stepped forward, a hand over their heart in salute and bowed at the hips. It was a matter of formality, not that Tsunade actually cared about such things. When the agent stood straight again, he, as Tsunade was now sure it was a he based off of the ANBU's voice, began to relay the urgent matter at hand.

Naruto stood outside of Sakura's apartment staring intently at the door.

"Naruto-kun y-you n-n-need to knock for her t-to ans-answer."

Naruto's eyes darted over to his wife and he nodded. "I know Hina-chan," but made no move to do so.

"We-we've been s-standing here for a w-while now Naruto-kun. Are y-you sure you don't w-w-want to try again l-later?"

"Nahhhh. I got this!" His hand came up to knock on the door when it swung open and revealed a wet haired Sakura.

"You sure took your time Naruto. How hard is it to knock, eh?"

"You knew I was standing here and didn't come?" Naruto said sporting a pout.

"You shouldn't stand outside other people's doors! It's creepy!"

"Sorry Sakura-channnnnn."

Sakura ignored him and looked the two over. "Where's Aiko?"

"N-Neji-san is babysitting."

"Babysitting? He does things like that?" Sakura asked astonished.

"Ye-yes. H-he is very g-g-good with kids when no-no-nobody is looking." Hinata offered Sakura a small smile, her eyes twinkling.

"Well come on in and make yourselves comfortable." Sakura turned away from the door and made her way down the hall and into her kitchen. She yelled as she rounded the corner, "Close it behind you."

Soon all three of them were sitting in the living room. Sakura and Hinata had glasses of cooled tea in their hands and Naruto was busy chattering about random events of severe unimportance. Anything to fill the silence, Sakura assumed. However, all this came to a crashing halt when a certain silvered haired man appeared from Sakura's bedroom.

"Hey, Sakura do you know where my shirt-" he froze midstep and sentence at the sight of the couple on the couch.

Kakashi looked down at himself, bare-chested, and his hand automatically went up to scratch the back of his neck. His eyes crinkled in their signature way. "Well, hello there Hinata and Naruto. What a pleasant surprise."

Sakura tried her best not to snort. He defiantly knew they had been out here. Guess he really wanted to make sure that Naruto was aware of what just went down... or rather, who.

Hinata face was flaming red and Naruto's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets.

"I am pretty sure Naruto is sitting on it."

Like a shot, Naruto was out of his seat and on the other side of the room. To hell with being understanding! This was just gross!

"He is so old Sakuraaaa-channnn." Naruto whined, his lower lip jutting out.

Kakashi said nothing and quickly retrieved his shirt, shrugging it on while Hinata looked the other way. Sakura rolled her eyes at the whole situation.

"So? I'm strong. You're dumb and Hinata is shy. Got anything else to add Captain Obvious?" Sakura said with a glare.

Kakashi eyed her, "Old? And you agree? How very sweet of you, Sakura." Unfortunately, his complaint fell on deaf ears as Naruto stared daggers at him while Sakura watched Naruto with equal annoyance.

"Is this really what you came here for Naruto? To attack me in my own home?" Not that she had really planned for him to find out this way, but whatever, he had no reason or right to judge her.

Naruto turned to face Sakura, defeated. "No Sakura-chan. I came to say sorry. And," he paused as his face scrunched up. "I'll accept this if you buy me ramen for life!" He pointed a finger at Kakashi and wagged it.

Kakashi held back a sign and nodded in agreement. Never going to happen of course, but it was best to play along and placate Naruto for the time being.

Sakura got up and collected the still full cup of tea from Hinata, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like, "stupid fucking immature men" but Kakashi pretending not to notice.

"Sure, sure Naruto. How about we-" Kakashi began when two ANBU appeared in a burst of smoke in the hallway.

"Does no one knock anymore?" Sakura quipped as her head popped out from the kitchen.

"Sakura-san, Kakashi-senpai, Naruto-san. You must report to the Hokage immediately." Without waiting for a response they disappeared as quickly as they had come.

No one in the room stirred for a moment.

"Well then," Sakura shook her head and came back into the living room, "Shall we, Kaka-sensei?"

Kakashi's scowled at the pink haired woman. "Oh, I'll teach you a lesson later."

"Can't wait," she replied with a cheeky grin as she sauntered across the room to her sex god.

"Oi! I'm still here you know!"

Sakura's hand came up and gripped the front of Kakashi's shirt as she pulled him down to her level. "Oh I know Naruto. I just don't care."

Outside the apartment the entire village could hear Naruto's shrill scream. "Oh Kami! My poor innocent eyes!"

Tsunade rubbed her temples and looked at the five ninja before her.

"Yamato. Sai. Kakashi. Sakura. Naruto. We have a situation. This is going to take precedent over all other scheduled missions. I need all of you to head to the border of Oto now. Someone attacked our outpost and destroyed it. Find them, detain them if possible. Kill if necessary." Her eyes swept over the group and landed on her young apprentice. She knew Sakura was not going to like what she said next.

"Sakura, you are not to engage unless it is absolutely necessary." Tsunade ignored the indignant huff her words invoked and shifted her gaze to the lanky dark haired boy to the left of the kunoichi. "Sai stay with Sakura as a secondary line of defense. Reports rank these nin as top notch and there are at least nine."

Tsunade paused and gathered up a few papers on her desk before holding them out. "Kakashi as team leader I leave the rest to you. You will leave tonight. You have five hours to take care of your business. No questions? Good. Dismissed!" She hadn't waited to see if anyone had anything to say; she didn't care. This situation was a major headache.

Kakashi took that file from her as the rest of his team disappeared except Sakura. Ignoring the arched eyebrow of the ever-snooping Hokage, Kakashi followed the pinkie back to her apartment acting more like a shadow than a physical entity.

Once inside and packing, Sakura finally lost her patience. "Kakashi are you going to say something?" She turned around and frowned.

Kakashi shrugged and sat down on the edge of her bed as she sighed and continued to pack.

After a few minutes she paused and pursed her lips, "You talk in your sleep."

"Hmm?"

Sakura glanced at Kakashi and gave the jaw string of her bag a particularly hard tug. "I said, you talk in your sleep."

"I heard you Sakura. What did I say?"

Sakura stilled and turned back to face the man she finally admitted to loving. Perhaps she hadn't said it to him yet, but actions spoke louder than words.

"You called for her. For Rin. I'm not mad. I just thought you should know." She averted her eyes and went back to collecting her medical equipment but stopped when his hands appeared over hers.

"I am sorry Sakura. It was a nightmare."

"I won't ask, Kakashi. I already told you, I won't pry. Tell me if you want to." She spoke softly.

"We don't have time it now."

Sakura looked up at him, her eyes full of something, but what? Faith? Hope?

"We have enough."

Kakashi couldn't help but smile. "Ok ok. I'll give you the quick version..."

He guided her to sit on his lap as he sat back down on her bed. With his arms around her and her cheek pressed into his shoulder, Kakashi felt like he could do anything. Anything except tell Sakura about Rin. Still, he knew she needed this. Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad as he imagined.

Taking a deep breath, Kakashi began to tell his story. His soft baritone filled the otherwise silent room.

TBC…