Escape to the Stars
Chapter 5: Escape to the Stars

Escape to the stars
Feeling so free
Just you and me
- Escape to the Stars by Cinema Bizarre

••• 4 months ago •••

"Hatake, I want you to protect Sakura under all costs."

"Your Highness, I cannot sacrifice my cadets to ensure her safety."

"Hatake!" The blonde empress hissed at him, "Just make sure you bring her back alive, or else. She's…someone important to me."

"As I've said before, I'm not letting my teammates die just to keep her alive. She'll earn her keep around me. I'll try my best to bring us all back…alive."

••• Present •••

Sakura took a moment to observe the structure of the Sound Five, cobalt blue on the exterior, steel-colored walls on the interior. All the furniture, the décor and gadgets looked extra sleek to match with the chic style; it was by far the better attraction compared to their own civilized ships. She noticed that this ship was significantly larger than Ichiraku, the floors were spacious too. The MATS ships were accommodated for larger audiences, she presumed.

She stepped inside the elevator and saw five buttons with a small indention of words next to them. In order from the first button to the fifth, the words read: Deck, Quarters 1, Bridge, Quarters 2, and Escape Pods. She was tempted to press the first button, but she was tired and she needed her sleep for tomorrow. Sakura pondered as she pressed the 2nd button which would take her to the first quarters. She assumed that Naruto and Sasuke would choose the lower one, it was just a feeling she had. Of course, if they had that meant she was left alone with Kakashi.

To be all alone on a floor with Kakashi, that made her nervous. That little moment that happened about two hours ago…her cheeks instantly flared up at the remembrance. His smooth, sultry tone of voice was enough to make a girl melt like butter. He used it on her. It was just 4 months ago when she first met him. She chuckled to herself. She assumed that their training sessions made them comfortable around each other. Sasuke and Naruto were like brothers to her, annoying yet distant but they equally cared for her. She was lucky to have been placed in a team that was so eager to accept her.

After her first brush with danger, she found herself missing the confines of the infirmary and the patients that smiled at her with happiness. The successful accomplishment when she healed their wounds and cured their colds, she missed all that. However with a thought, when she would be back in Konoha's walls, she would talk to Tsunade about switching her duties around. Maybe even take a few missions with her team. She smiled. 'Yeah, that'd be great for me,' she thought.

The resounding bell dinged as the doors opened to the quarters. Sakura poked her head out and stared at the empty hallway. There were four doors and she began to snicker. It seemed that there were enough rooms in the lower quarter for her after all. She began to take a step back into the elevator and proceed to where her members were but she did the opposite. She stepped off the elevator and walked to one of the empty rooms.

The slider that appeared on the center left of the doors described whether or not the room was vacant or occupied. In case of an emergency, Sakura chose the room closest to the elevator. Hopefully no one would bother her as she would be getting her beauty rest. Sakura entered the room and headed straight for the bed. The mattress was divine; it sunk as it conformed around her figure. Memory foam, what a blessing it was.

•••

"Lady Tsunade! Obito's waiting for you in your office!" Shizune's voice trailed off as the blonde empress stride passed her.

"What is the meaning of this?" Tsunade never ran, but she power-walked all the way up to her office.

Obito stood up and bowed his head, "I have come bearing confidential information in our investigation."

Tsunade slammed the door behind her and took her seat upon her throne. "What is it?"

"I think we have our leak."

"Orochimaru?" Obito nodded his head. "Hmm…that's not surprising."

"I have also discovered that he keeps in regular contact with Itachi."

"Do you know Itachi's location?"

Obito nodded his head, "The last time Orochimaru talked to him, he was aboard a ship called Armageddon."

"This is fantastic news, I wonder if this day can get any better." She smirked as she leaned back in her chair.

The clatters of Shizune's heels clicked against the hardwood floors. She knocked on the door in an insistent manner. "Queen Tsunade, an emergency video report was sent to you! Please check your inbox!"

"All right, all right! I'll get to it immediately, Shizune!" Tsunade slid out the keyboard and slacked a few keys. The hologram device opened up and the video played right in front of her.

Sakura Haruno, reporting for duty. Today's date is August 21th, 2815. We are located in the Oturanian Universe at the Inuzuka Planet on an MATS ship, Sound Five. Please don't be alarmed when you see this message.

Lady Tsunade, I am regretful to report that an Itachi Uchiha has been working for MATS. Kiba Inuzuka passed this information down to me. I hope this helps you in your search to find our traitor.

I wish you all the luck.
Sakura Haruno, over and out.

"Ahh, it seems they have infiltrated the Inuzuka's Penitentiary with ease. Nonetheless, I shall make an emergency video for Team 7 that way they can be wary on their way back home of other ships. No doubt Itachi will hear about this stunt they pulled…" The queen's nails clacked on a keyboard.

•••

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

Six beeps. What did that stand for again? Oh, right, EMERGENCY.

Kakashi sat right up as he clutched the beeping device, which coincidentally looks like a watch. He pressed a teeny-tiny button on the right side with his thumb. The voice recording would play any minute now.

"Kakashi Hatake, gather your team members and take them into the briefing room. Input the code 002302, the video report that I composed should play. Listen very carefully."

The silver-haired commander groaned as he shuffled his fingers through his hair. He rolled his legs off the side of the bed and cracked his neck. He was still tired like he was a walking zombie. Emergency…what type of emergency could be happening now? Did Kiba say something he wasn't supposed to? Or rather, what did Sakura report? What if she reported his behavior towards her?

He rubbed his eyes with his palms. "Damnit," he muttered to himself. He should never have let his self-control run loose. He managed to stand and walked out his room. He stopped as soon as he exited his room. There were only two more rooms occupied in the hallway. He sighed, of course Sakura would choose the higher quarters. She's a lady.

He banged on Naruto and Sasuke's doors as he grumbled incoherent words that made no sense to those around him or himself. How stupid was Sakura to go to a floor where no one else was on? Especially when they're on an enemy ship. She was in for a scolding. Maybe he'll just grab Naruto and Sasuke and let Sakura sleep. No need to wake up a girl from her beauty sleep over an 'emergency'.

A half-sleepy Naruto eyed his commander while Sasuke dropped his head staring at Kakashi.

"What do you want?" The blond boy mumbled.

"We have to go in the briefing room to assess a video by the Queen herself. Apparently, it's an urgent emergency. We'll let Sakura sleep and depending on the contents of the video, we're not going to wake her up." He pressed the button for the 3rd floor. "C'mon, get in."

The two males followed their superior's words and stepped inside the elevator. All three didn't say another word until they reached the briefing room.

The conference room held an elongated table with red carpeting and gold outlines on the wall. A screen projector stood on the farthest side with a keypad on the right hand side of the wall. Kakashi inputted the numbers 002302 into the keypad.

The video showed Tsunade and Obito, standing by with a worried look on his face. This had to be one huge emergency if Obito was right beside her. The trio's eyes instantly opened upon the sight of two respected authority figures.

"Team 7, you're probably wondering why this is a state of emergency. It is believed that on your journey back to Konoha, be wary for Itachi is on a ship called the Armageddon. I have no doubt that he has already heard the facts of your little stunt to free the Inuzuka clan members. Do not engage in conversation with him if he radios you. Sasuke, I'm looking at you. It is not new to us that Itachi has gone over to the dark side, we've known for quite a while now. Obito will brief you on the information that we do have on Itachi."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade. While Itachi is just an accomplice, he has murdered Captain Morino of the military division. If he can take good ole Ibiki, then you guys are no match for him. Except maybe Kakashi." He belted out a laugh, "Whatever you do, don't piss him off. He has extreme knowledge in explosives and I'd hate to lose you guys. Orochimaru is our leak in Konoha. It's not much of a surprise but he is planning something huge to take place. I've been following his tail for a couple of weeks and I can't see that I'm happy to report this. Just be careful if you come across Itachi. Sasuke, I know it's hard for you but you have to be stronger than that. You have Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi by your side. Don't lose sight of that. Be careful out there and come home soon." Obito smiled.

"That is all. Godspeed and good luck, you're going to need it." Tsunade scoffed as the video cut off.

Naruto and Sasuke smiled to each other. Kakashi breathed. Everything was going to be okay. Besides, what were the chances of bumping into Itachi was what? 25% chance, hell yeah. There wasn't a need to wake up Sakura after all. But maybe he should, just so she can be kept in the loop. She wouldn't blame him for telling her later if he did it now.

"Naruto, Sasuke, thank you for waking up. Now I want you to go back to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." He squeezed both of their shoulders.

"Mhm, you're welcome Kakashi." Naruto mumbled and exited the briefing room with Sasuke by his side. The commander silently followed them. He waited until they were back into their respective rooms.

He pushed the button for the higher quarter floor. A small smirk crept on his lips and before he knew it, he was planning a devious plan. They were going to spend two months…alone on an airship without Naruto and Sasuke. Kakashi didn't mind spending his time in the form of female company, it had been an extremely long time since he had been side-by-side with a female. It wouldn't hurt to know her better. Not that she was a hard cookie to understand, but he felt delighted to know a smart woman like her.

He wouldn't say he was attracted to her, appearance maybe…but on a deeper, emotional level? Not quite there yet.

In a flash, he was on the 2nd floor. The smirk was still evident on his lips as he knocked lightly on Sakura's door. He didn't want her temper to reach the highest capacity while she was half-asleep.

"Sakura, open up the door," He didn't shout nor did he whisper but he hoped it was loud enough for her to hear. He knocked on the door with a little more force than the first time.

Being a light sleeper, Sakura groaned as knocking sounds hollowed through the door. She forced herself out of her bed, she guessed right as she dragged her feet across the carpet. Unlatching the lock on the door, it whirred as it slid away revealing Kakashi in front of her.

"Commander Kakashi!" She opened her eyes; she was a little more alert now. "To what pleasure do I owe this visit?"

"I come bearing some information from Lady Tsunade. May I come in?" He leaned against the wall with his arm above him.

"U-um, of course. Can I get you anything to drink? Water? Coffee?" She cowered back into her room and headed towards the mini-kitchen.

"No, thank you. I'm all right," he grinned. "Just sit down so I can tell you the recent info." He took a seat in the empty loveseat across from her bed.

"Okay, okay. Geez, it's called nice hospitality, you know." She huffed as she sat on the edge of her bed facing Kakashi.

"First thing, Itachi is said to be on another ship called the Armageddon. Tsunade has told us to keep our eyes peeled open in case we run into another airship. We're also heading back to Konoha as they found out who our betrayer is. It's Orochimaru."

"Oh, that's it?" She covered her mouth as she yawned. He nodded as he stood up, getting ready to leave her room. "You could have waited until morning to tell me this…"

"Well, there is one more thing I wish to ask of you," he chuckled.

Sakura pulled herself back up and walked him towards the door, "what is it?"

"Is it possible to get a goodnight kiss from you? I am afraid that I won't be able to sleep unless I get one." He turned his body and looked into her eyes with a smile. "So?"

Sakura stuttered and left speechless. He wanted what? A goodnight kiss? She fumbled with the hem of her pajama shirt as she bit her lip. It wouldn't hurt to give him at least one…right? Once she initiated contact with him, they would be crossing a bridge they couldn't ignore anymore.

"All right, just one though." She smiled sheepishly at him. Her trembling hands cupped his face, his hands laid on her waist. With a swift peck on the lips, she gave him a kiss. Her cheeks tinted with pink as he chuckled.

"Thank you, Sakura. Goodnight!" He waved a hand to her as the door closed once he stepped out of her room.

"…Goodnight." She felt like her stomach was doing somersaults along with the entry of butterflies. She couldn't help the Cheshire grin on her face. He wanted one so she gave it to him. There was no harm in it, right? With a permanent grin on her lips, she found herself falling asleep much easier than before.

Kakashi's smirk stayed with him but instead of finding himself in front of the elevator, he stood in front of the room that was across hers. He could sleep here, for just a bit. He changed the status of the room from vacant to occupied. He fell into the bed with a happy plop. Ruffling his hand through his hair, he rested his head against the headboard. It was going to be 2 months of bliss, just being by her side.

•••

The unexpected turbulence as the Sound Five hurled a sharp turn to the right; laughter erupted from the cockpit.

"You're going to pay for that!" The commander's voice shouted in playfulness.

Unfortunately, for his counterpart she was slammed against the table. Her eyebrow twitched with annoyance. It was one thing for Naruto to race Kakashi but it was another thing for him to accept the challenge.

"Kakashi! There are people aboard this ship, you know!" She yelled at him.

"Sorry Naruto, but gotta stay on the mission. We'll be back in Konoha in about a day and a half. How's that for exciting?" He turned his head to the side, hinting that he had said it to her.

"We're finally going to be home, that's so great to hear." Sakura sighed contently.

The commander switched a lever that put the Sound Five on autopilot path to Konoha's coordinates. He left his pilot seat as he wrapped his arms around her hips.

"I have to say, I'm going to miss this," his lips murmured against her neck.

Sakura never got used to his touches. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "What do you mean you're going to miss this?"

"I mean this." His hand cleared the lone pink strands of her hair as his tongue licked against the crook of her neck.

"Mhm, but why are you going to miss it? We are continuing…whatever we have once we get back home, right?" She turned herself around as her arms linked together behind his neck.

"You want to?" His lips continued along her collarbone.

She tipped her head back as Kakashi's grip on her tightened and brought her body closer to his. "Of course, I do. You want to too?"

"Sakura, I think you know that answer." He stopped his actions momentarily. She looked back at him, emerald orbs staring into steel gray.

"You do?" Her eyebrows rose in surprise.

"You thought I wouldn't? I'm not some playboy, Sakura. Besides, Lady Tsunade would have my head if she found out our little…adventure." He chuckled.

Sakura slapped his arm as she relinquished her hold on him. "Well, at least we agree on something then." She laughed as his rough hands slithered around her neck to bring her in for a passionate kiss.

•••

A/N: It's 3 pages shorter than the required 10 I wanted but, I think it fits to end this here. The first version of this chapter was significantly different but it didn't sit well with me so I changed it. I'm really satisfied with this chapter now. After all the adventure I put into it, romance saves the day. It may be a little incomplete but this is the best I can do. It IS KakaSaku. xD Thanks to everyone who has read this and the voters (if there are any, who knows? xD).

NoaShi