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I-write-for-enlightenment - A bit more settling down in this chapter but not for long! (Mwhahaha!) My attempt at an evil laugh…Enjoy the update!

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Chapter Five

Remorse

Life. In one way or another had to go on. Even if the pink haired medic currently marching through the maze like tunnels leading towards the Hokage's office really wished she could change that persistent fact.

Two months. Two long, drawn out, and seemingly never ending cycles of clustered weeks is how long it had taken Sakura to finally brave the light of day. Other than her constant rotation at the hospital she had basically become the person she had once disliked most. A recluse. Never leaving the safety and confined space of her apartment unless being basically forced to do so.

Which is exactly what it had taken to make her venture here. Deeper and higher into the center of all the leafs inner workings.

This morning while repeating her usual cycle of labored breathing and fetal position cradling, trying her best to keep the inner demons she had created at bay. She had received a letter summoning her to the office of the Hokage. Apparently her silent tear stained pleas had been heard by someone up above.

She was finally being sent away on a mission.

Oh how she wished it would be to some unknown place. Some place so far away and unheard of nothing but pure isolation and seclusion from the outside world and its problems.

That. That would be just the thing she needed to finally piece herself back together. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she felt so hopeful about anything, not since then…since last seeing him…

Sakura banished the thought immediately. She was finally catching a break from the seemingly never ending barrage of attacks life seemed to be throwing her way. She wasn't about to waste this golden opportunity by thinking about a certain almond eyed ANBU member that she oh so badly wished she could erase from her memory completely!

If it hadn't been for her complete laps of sanity in those few moments she had lost herself, her life would be what it once was. She wouldn't dread leaving her home in fear she might run into the very man who had spiraled her life into this shell of what it use to be.

To make things worse as impossible as it might seem she hated being home more than she hated being forced out of it. Also in fear she might one day be laying in her defeated and sobbing form to be walked in on by the man she was supposed to be distraught over.

There was no other way to describe it. Sakura's life was a prison, and the unforgiving warden was her own mentality.

Her mind was a silent war, but just as brutal. Constantly plagued with guilt over what she had done with Yamato, and even more filled with rage at the man she had attempted to destroy in the process. The man who had ripped apart the seams of what she thought they once had, Kakashi.

All other conflicting emotions aside. She hated both of them, hated! But, at the same time, wanted to make things right between them…even though she knew there was no way she could…

She had set this fire and in do time there would be nothing to do but stand back and watch the ashes of her once happy life.

Snapping her back to the present Sakura inhaled deeply. Burying all that was raging inside her down deep before reaching for the aged slightly crooked handle of lady Tsunade's office and shoving the wooden door from its frame.

She may not be able to sew the shredded fabric of her life but for the time being, all she needed was this. A wonderful, and beautiful, distraction.

Slowly and with rising excitement Sakura crossed the threshold into the rounded window lined office her jade eyes fixing on the blonde curvaceous figure seated at the flat desk at the center.

"You asked to see me M'lady-" Sakura began unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

That was until her bright and hopeful eyes fixed on the second figure standing just on the other side of the door she still currently held.

Sakura felt the blood drain from her face and her heart drop into the pit of her stomach, and she knew at this exact moment whatever hope she had held for the future just shattered into a million shards right at her feet.

"Y-Yamato" She whispered the sheer dread clear in her shaken tone.

Those impossibly ink black eyes stared at the visibly shaken kunoichi behind an emotionless mask before turning away from her completely.

Sakura had forgotten how to breathe, the ache beginning to build in her chest warning her of that. Weakly and running on pure instinct Sakura released the door handle, fighting against every urge in her body to slam it shut and duck back into the safety of the hallway before running for dear life.

All this time, all her efforts to avoid this very situation…It had been all for nothing! Here she was, trapped in her own personal nightmare!

What made matters worse, they weren't alone. Clearly Tsunade had agenda of her own. Why else would she summon the two of them specifically? Oh god! Did she know?

Had word of the twisted triangle of love and hate Sakura had personally created reached the pinnacle of the leaf? Had she somehow compromised the inner working by intentionally pitting two of the top shinobi in the village against each other?

Sakura's eyes flashed terror as she glanced at her mentor who currently was buried nose deep in manila folders and crinkled paperwork.

Silently Sakura inhaled. Okay, maybe she was letting her over active imagination get the better of her. The blonde Kage was way to relaxed to be distracted with such a scandalous situation.

But still the question remained, what was she doing here with Yamato?

Sakura blinked and suddenly she felt the build up of acid burn her throat. No, she couldn't possibly be thinking of-

"Good you're both here." Tsunade began breaking the unnoticed tension as she thumbed another thick stack of paper to another corner of her already cluttered desk.

"I have a mission for you two." The secretly aged blonde Kage stated matter of factly.

Sakura bit into her bottom lip so hard she thought she might actually draw blood. This couldn't be happening! Anyone! Anyone but her! Anyone but him!

Tsunade sighed heavily before finally finding the folder containing the details of the assignment she had been searching for this entire time.

Her honey colored eyes fixing on her rigidly stiff prodigy and special operative standing before her. She had been careful to select them all for good reasons, and now came the job of explaining their assignment.

"In the land of Rivers. There is a large herb village. The farmers residing there specializing in certain toxic plants used for medical treatments and procedures. A single harvest of their crop accounts for over half of the lands financial support." Tsunade said sternly trying to instill the importance of this particular mission in the tone of her voice before continuing.

"Recently though-" She paused gauging her assigned ninjas reactions, they seemed to be listening intently.

"Rouge, unknown shinobi have been raiding the farm lands. Plundering and stealing these rare herbs for unknown purposes. Leaving countless in the surrounding villages in desperate need." Tsunade stated interlacing her manicured fingers together to lean forward against her aged oak desk.

"Yamato, Sakura. You're mission will be the find these culprits and put an end to their theft. By any means necessary." Tsunade finished she seriousness of her voice blunt and direct.

"Understood?" She asked sharply.

Yamato opened his mouth to respond as any ninja would but Sakura was far to motivated to nip this nightmarish situation in the bud before it grew any more chaotic.

"M'lady-" The pink haired medic interrupted quickly, catching the curved Hokage's attention directly.

"I understand this assignment and except it graciously but.." Sakura trailed off fighting to glance in Yamato's direction as she forced herself to continue.

"Might I ask for another partner to accompany me? Instead of Captain Yamato." Sakura spat the wood users proper title out like it burned her tongue to address him so. Especially since all they had secretly shared.

Sakura didn't need to shift her gaze to know Yamato's surprised eyes were now completely fixed on her and so was Tsunade's.

She watched as her mentors perfectly groomed eyebrow arched in suspicion and Sakura knew she better explain herself and fast.

"It's just Captain Yamato not being a medical ninja, I'm afraid his inexperience might be used against us. Maybe Ino or-" Sakura started almost desperate to throw anyone at her side on this mission besides the ANBU member already there.

"I've thought this assignment over carefully Sakura. Yamato may not be as well trained as you when it comes to the utilization of medical tactics. But, he is more than qualified in vast amount of areas you personally lack in." The trace of annoyance and surprise in the now narrowed eyed Hokage was clearly heard and Sakura knew instantly she better not try her luck like that again.

"Lady Tsunade-" Sakura began, unknowing if she was about to plea for compassion or apologize unfortunately she would never know before Yamato's strong voice cut her off.

"Beg pardon M'lady, I understand Sakura's concerns but I feel as though I am fully capable of completing this task." He said calmly and without hesitation.

Sakura blinked in shock unable to help herself from glaring up at the wood user at her side. What the hell was he thinking? Did he want to be sent out on this mission with her?

"Noted." Tsunade sighed leaning back in her cushioned seat a bit more at ease that this little disagreement had been set aside.

"You will depart from the village in one hour. Gather your things and meet Izumo at the head gate to receive your travel documentation. Dismissed."

Sakura swallowed hard. That was it, there was no escape from this.

The hope she had clung to like the life preserve it was had now been deflated leaving her alone to drown in a ruthless tide of uncertainty.

And all she could possibly do was stand there frozen with the same simple plaguing question racing through her frantic mind.

Why her?

The marble hallway was so immaculate the silver hair of the lone figure leaning against the polished stone reflected brightly with its impossible shine.

Tiredly Kakashi ran a calloused hand through is unruly spikes shifting his weight from one fine leather covered foot to the other resisting the urge to pull at his uncomfortable suit collar. God he hated these cloths.

Then again he hated everything about this place. The lavished walls with countless golden framed portraits of jewel and silk covered strangers, to the overhanging chandeliers of pure crystal.

With his one visible eye he glared down at the finely woven crimson rug lining the towering hallway floor he currently felt like he was wasting away on.

You think being surrounded by such luxury would be easy to adapt to, especially since he was forced to endure it day in and day out. But, no matter how much gold trim and handing silks engulfed him it didn't do a thing to change what this copy ninja truly wanted.

To smell the scent of rich forest pine while basked under the hot mid day sun of the leaf. To feel the crisp dirt of the training field beneath his shinobi sandals, and know he was home. That was his idea of paradise. And it was the knowledge that dream was only a few more months away that gave him the strength to stand here and endure his current assignment.

Waiting obediently and patiently while Shan underwent her usual "therapy session". It was a simple enough task, to stand here and wait for her to re-emerge from behind the thick finely carved wooden door to his right. But, all the while he knew, just beyond that locked office was the information he needed to bring this crooked vain empire down.

On the inside Kakashi couldn't help but wonder just how many of these codes he would have to gather before he was finally able to put this mission behind him? It couldn't be more than a pair at most, he had already met his contacts from the leaf one week ago and they assured him he was so close to breaking this underground train of smuggling.

Kakashi rested his weary head against the cold stone at his back. He was close, he knew that. But, it wasn't close enough. When he closed his eyes he could practically see the leaf villages massive gates welcoming home. Then again, at the exact same time they seemed so very far away.

Snapping him from his longing thoughts the large office door inched open causing Kakashi to straighten up as Shan's curvaceous form stepped through.

In her shadow the slightly large bearded face of the man Kakashi had come to know as Shan's 'therapist'. Dressed in his usual sharp suit he patted Shan's bare shoulder with an aged smile.

"Very good my dear. I feel as though we have made excellent progress today. I will speak to your father for rescheduling your next appointment." He smiled dryly, the age lines around his eyes crinkling deceivingly.

Kakashi fought the urge to glare the old bastard down. He was just one more chink in this chain of deception that it would be oh so sweet to break entirely.

"Yes Yes. Can I go now?" Shan brushed his hand off her low cut summer dress not bothering to hide her annoyance from being touched by the old codger.

"Miss Shan. I've been asked to escort you to the gazebo for lunch." Kakashi interjected politely locking all his true emotions down deep. So well in fact he was almost capable of fooling himself.

"Tanashi!" Shan squealed in delight eagerly wrapping her arms around Kakashi's forearm pulling him close to her side willing or not.

"Your appointment went well I assume?" Kakashi smiled flakey behind his fitted mask.

Shan opened her gloss covered lips to respond but was cut short by the harsh tone of the therapist still hovering behind the pair of them.

"Miss Shan is not at liberty to discuss her treatments." The elder man said with a slightly more demanding tone.

"Oh lighten up! Me and Tanashi have no secrets! We are completely honest with one another! Isn't that right?" Shan asked sweetly and surprisingly secure in her statement as her hazel eyes fixed up on the man currently glued to her side.

"Of course." Kakashi reassured her.

"M'lady-" The therapist began and Kakashi knew what he was about to say next would be no short of a command or threat but Shan beat him to the punch.

"Tanashi, I can't stand the atmosphere here! Lets go to the beach and eat. If I have to stay in this house one more moment I might become ill." She said sharply glaring her exuberant eyes in the direction of the speechless man in her shadow.

"As you wish." Kakashi agreed angling his arm to proper posture as he had been trained to do before marching forward with Shan tucked securely at his side.

Once a few dozen feet down the lavished hallway Shan released a heavy sigh like she had held it in for hours now.

"I can't stand that man. I have to speak to father about ending these ridiculous sessions. What on earth do I have to vent about anyway?" She asked clearly irritated.

For once Kakashi agreed with Shan. Compared to most people he knew Shan's life was a dream. It was no wonder the girl was beginning to question her unnecessary treatments.

Though he wasn't about to let her know that.

"Your father is just concerned for you. Being his only child puts a great deal of stain on you. He is most likely just being overly cautious." Kakashi explained with a false gleam in his naturally dark eye.

"I'm sure your right. Either way I don't want to talk about it anymore." Shan instructed squeezing her grip on Kakashi's arm just a bit more tightly.

"Instead lets discuss our day! What do you feeling like doing?" She smiled brightly.

"Whatever you want." Was Kakashi's automatic response.

"You always say that!" Shan laughed sweetly "After lunch let's go for a swim! I have a new swimsuit I have been dying to try on!"

"Another new suit? You just had one made two days ago?" Kakashi asked not bothering to hide his surprise. This girl really didn't know the meaning of restraint did she? He knew full well each one of her hand embroider swim wear cost more than six months of his rent back home.

"You disapprove?" Shan blinked taken back by her bodyguards criticism.

"Of course not. I was just fond of the other one is all." Kakashi recovered fast with a forced hint of mischief in his naturally charming voice.

"Oooh-" Shan smiled before halting in her steps bringing Kakashi to a sharp stop as well.

Kakashi stared down at the heiress at his side and suddenly wished he hadn't.

"In that case, why don't we just skip the beach? I'll model it for you privately in my room." Shan teased sensually bringing herself closer to Kakashi until the roundness of her full breast were pushed against him exposing their flawless shape.

Kakashi had seen this coming. After all she had just received encrypted codes buried in her subconscious and he knew exactly what it was going to take to retrieve them.

Fighting the urge to pull away in inner distress as he often did he forced himself to lean closer until his mask covered lips almost brushed over Shan's shimmering ones.

"Why wait?" He whispered darkly and before Shan could say another word he had the spoiled heiresses pressed to his chest and shoving her aggressively into a darken room attached to the main hallway.

Shan gasped at the sudden feeling of fumbling around in the dark but quickly silenced herself when the oh so familiar feeling of Kakashi's hand began shoving the material of her dress up roughly.

"Tanashi-" Shan purred surrendering herself completely the copy ninjas forceful actions turned on all the more by his lack of restraint.

Kakashi was rough and uncaring forcing himself to remain focused solely on the target at hand. The information he needed, and nothing more.

As far as he was concerned the girl who clung to him was collateral damage in the destruction her family had created.

To him she was nothing more than a shallow tool he could use to his advantage and at this exact moment that was exactly what he had on his mind.

Kicking the door that separated them from the main hallway shut behind him Kakashi sealed them inside and began to devote himself entirely to the one thing that had always kept him grounded.

The mission.

Being basically trapped in the leaf village for months it almost made it easy to forget just how miserable traveling really was.

Sakura wiped her sweat dampened pink bangs away from her face with an exhausted sigh. She couldn't remember the last time she had suffered through a day this hot.

The relentless sun beating down on her slightly redden skin was scorching and the total absents of any source of wind only made her backpacking misery that much more unbearable.

Stiffly she braced her damp palms on her knees hunching over to steady her heavy breathing. The weight of her overly packed shoulder making her already stiff back ache just a bit more aggressively.

To be honest she was surprised her stamina had lasted this long. After all she had been pushing herself mercilessly since leaving the leaf village three weeks ago.

Barely managing more than an hour or so of rest a night. And eating had been a habit she had basically forgotten all about. The abdominal slimming of her civilian clothing assuring that much.

"There should be an inn a few miles up." A slightly equally as drained voice announced from Sakura's slumped side.

Sakura glared her jade eyes at the wood user now standing beside her. Just the sight of Yamato's stout frame shadowing her own filling her with the need to push on and reclaim the distance she had managed to cling to since leaving home.

Wordlessly she braced herself back up straight and began to march ahead ignoring the constant annoying throb radiating its way through all her unseen muscles.

Sakura tried to blink away her exhaustion. Holding onto her pride was even harder work than the seemingly never ending route to their destined mission spot.

How many days had it been since she had even mumbled a word in Yamato's direction? Honestly she had done everything in her power to erase his entire existence on this 'trip'. And so far she had succeeded.

They didn't speak. They barely glanced in each others direction. Except on the off occasion Sakura had caught the wood user staring at her behind those conviction black orbs. Like he was a moment away from addressing the building tension between them. Skillfully she would quickly deflect the situation. Either by running away in the forest to 'relieve herself' or forcing herself to lay still until he believed she had actually fallen asleep. Even though she did nothing of the sort. Far to uncomfortable to even think about letting her guard down around the ANBU member.

It may be a little immature on her part and irresponsible considering the importance of the mission they were being forced to share. But, Sakura didn't know any other way she could drive the distance she needed between them.

It was just to hard to be near Yamato. She couldn't stand to see his face without reliving every sorted detail of what they had done.

Sakura banished the thought. She didn't have the time or energy to think about these things now. Not if their addressed rest spot was coming up. And she had every intention of reaching it as soon as possible.

Forcing herself to pick up the pace she trudged forward and tried to leave the memories of emotional baggage behind.

"We've made good time. But, we wont reach the river lands for another day or two." Yamato said calmly keeping up with Sakura's hurried pace much more easily than she liked.

She could feel his eyes on her trying to gauge her reaction, she did her best to ignore it.

"We could take an extra day to recover? Head out first thing tomorrow night." He added a hint of concern laced in his voice. It didn't go unnoticed.

Sakura only blew out an agitated huff. She didn't care. Just as long as she got one night in an actual bed and a roof over her head. Away from the man still marching evenly at her side.

Yamato sighed tiredly. This was just impossible.

Running a calloused hand through his sun lightened hair he weighed his options. He and Sakura were just a mile or so away from their rest area. It might be a good time to grab the bull by the horns and face their discomfort head on. Before it could affect their mission performance. That wouldn't do either of them any good.

"Sakura-" He began evenly "Eventually we are going to have to speak to each other."

Sakura narrowed her jade eyes instantly in aggravation. She should have seen this coming.

"Not if I can help it." She snapped under her breath definitely pushing her already aching legs harder to distance herself from the still staring wood user.

Yamato felt his jaw tense with frustration. Usually he liked to consider himself a patient man but there was just something about today that his attitude wasn't at its usual mellow level.

Maybe it was just the tension from this drawn out trip getting the better of him or this god awful heat that beated down on the two of them endlessly. Either way he had his fill of swallowing down his aggravation and it was beginning to seep through.

"Why are you being so childish?" He asked hard irritation filling his voice.

Sakura felt her jade eyes widen in disbelief. Had she just heard him right?

Stomping her feet to a jarring halt until she felt harden dirt cloud up around her ankles she spun to face the arrogant wood user with a searing glare.

"Childish? I'm being childish!? You're the one who sucked up to Lady Tsunade to get me assigned to this mission with you!" Sakura hissed hatefully.

She had felt that accusation on her tongue since the moment she had left the village and god did it feel good to say it out loud!

Of course Yamato had played a part in this! Why else would she of all shinobi in the village be forced to fight side by side with the one man she couldn't stand to be near!

Yamato felt his usually composed facial expression slip into surprise. Is that what she really thought?

"You think this was my idea? I had nothing to do with you and me getting paired off together!" Yamato vowed sharply.

This entire situation had been a coincidence! And one he desperately wished he could have avoided if he had been given the chance!

"Oh sure! I'm suppose to believe that!?" Sakura snapped visibly rolling her harsh jade eyes.

Yamato sighed heavily. Taking a forceful gulp of air he tried to even out his increasing anger to avoid say something he might otherwise regret.

"You can believe whatever you want Sakura." He stated coldly "But, unlike you I'm not going to let what happened between us affect my duties on this mission. And neither should you."

Sakura felt fury rush through her blood! Yamato's oh so mature attitude just made her see red! She hated him! Hated! Why was he so level headed! So damn smug! Like he had all his emotions in check! And she was the immature little brat he needed to talk down to!

"Do me a favor! Unless the next's words coming out of your mouth involve this mission! Don't speak to me for the rest of this god forsaken trip!" Sakura roared before spinning away from the wood users unphased form with such force she felt a gust of wind come off her momentum.

Yamato watched the clearly infuriated kunoichi go with a grain of salt. Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to march on.

"Gladly." Was his immediate response.

The dying sun lit the sand spotted boardwalk surrounding the massive pearly white beach with a soothing orange and crimson hue. Its radiant colors illuminating the naturally coal black orb watching the day fade away.

Kakashi peered at the quickly fading light and internally wished he could disappear with it. Anything to momentarily escape the weeks he had endured while visiting the Yutaka summer beach house.

Just when he thought life at the mansion was unbearable a whole new load of misery had been added when Shan had gotten the brilliant idea for the two of them to "go away" for a few days. At least back in the marble palace she called home he had time away from the agitating heiress. But, here completely cut off from the outside world she was like a tumor! An inescapable cancer that had burrowed itself deep down into his very core!

Were it not for the small local village of ordinary islanders he was lucky enough to visit he swore he would have gone completely insane from the endless barrage of elegant conversation.

In fact it was this very charming little town that had kept him hopeful for the future that one day he would be in his true home much like it.

Strolling down the aged planks of dried wood beneath his feet warmed him with familiarity and earthiness even if he was currently having to ignore the countless snide comments from Shan glued to his side.

"I swear Tanaish, I don't understand why you like this side of town? It's so-" Shan grimaced at the weathered walkway creaking beneath her high trending pumps.

"Quaint." Kakashi finished with an almost sincere smile.

"Poor." Shan corrected uneasily. She couldn't wait until they left this awful place. Everything about its dismal appearance made her squirm in discomfort.

"Is that why you felt the need to bring all your entourage?" Kakashi asked calmly glancing at the horde of suit covered stiffs Shan's father had insisted on bringing along for "extra" protection. That currently shadowed their every step.

"You can never be to careful Tanashi. Especially in a place like this." Shan defended with a frown.

"And here I thought I was your bodyguard." Kakashi hinted with a slight tilt of his chin.

"Don't be so sensitive. You're all the protection I need." Shan flirted full heartedly "But, you know father, overly cautious as always."

For good reason. Kakashi sighed behind his mask maybe he was just dragging out the inevitable he would have to return to his marble prison sooner or later. They should head back.

Kakashi was about to suggest just that very thing when the sudden sight of movement caught his attention.

He glanced ahead a good second or so before the rest of the squad in his shadow even noticed as he watched two young children one boy and one girl come charging over the railing of the boardwalk.

Clearly the duo of children were playing some sort of game because too late to be avoided did the boy come crashing face first into Shan's waist smearing what looked like ice cream that Kakashi only now realized he had been carrying all over the front of her silken day dress.

The boy fell backwards clumsily dragging the girl who had followed him down onto the path right along with him.

While Shan's frantic eyes caught sight of what the boy had unintentionally marred her clothing with. A shrieking scream filled the crisp beach air so loudly Kakashi had to resist the urge to cover his ears.

"M-My dress!" Shan cried out at the top of her lungs. Kakashi could have sworn she might as well have just been stabbed by the panic now raking her body!

"O-Oh I'm sorry!" The boy instantly apologized trying to climb to his feet his small hand extending out a napkin as a gesture of pleading.

"Urgh! Don't touch me you little brat!" Shan hissed slapping his hand away fiercely.

The small boy instantly recoiled behind the young girl now standing over him. It had taken Kakashi a second but a lingering glance down at the children before him told him they were related.

Each one sharing the same hair and eye color. There was no mistaking it. Siblings.

"Miss Shan! Are you alright!?" The troop of goons Shan called her protection called out. Circling the four of them as if some sort of actual crisis might had just occurred!

Kakashi watched as fear and intimidation spread over the small children's faces at the sight of all the armed men towering over them.

"Of course not! Look at my dress!" Shan wailed her slits of hazel eyes glaring down at the basically trembling kids at her feet.

"Do you have any idea how much this cost!?" She hissed grabbing a handful of her off white dress for emphasis'.

The nameless pair of children stared up at the raging heiress in confusion and unknowing. To frightening to muster any kind of reply.

"Who am I kidding?! You little insects don't even know what real money is!" Shan spat and instantly Kakashi felt his temper flare at the degrading nature of her insult.

"H-Hey! He said he was sorry!" The girl shot back almost protectively of her obvious younger brother.

Kakashi stared down at the girl with surprise at her sudden burst of bravery.

"How dare you speak back to me!? Guards!" Shan ordered and instantly both children were face down on the boardwalk forcibly held there by the no doubt crushing weight of the suited men acting as Shan's extra protection.

Kakashi stepped forward having all he was about to take of this completely excessive situation. But, Shan's polished fingers gripped his sleeve harshly causing him to meet her cold gaze.

"Tanashi-" She began with an inescapable hard tone.

"I want these vermin punished!" She ordered coldly.

Kakashi blinked in disbelief.

"Punished? Shan their just children. It was an accident." Kakashi said doing his best to restrain the sheer fury threatening to spew into his voice.

"With adult mouths! If you don't do what I ask I'll have them do it for you!" Shan threatened glancing in the direction of the clearly unremorseful team of tag alongs.

As if to prove her point Kakashi watched as one of the larger men currently subduing the helpless children raised an elbow before apply a cruel amount of pressure to the back of the young boys neck making him cry out weakly.

"That wont be necessary!" Kakashi shot out loudly making the band of armed men halt in their actions.

"I'll take care of it." The copy ninja promised lowly and he could tell Shan believed his assurance.

Obediently Kakashi stepped over to the children before grasping each one of their arms in his hold and hoisting them to their feet.

"Not here!" Shan interrupted. "Take them out of my sight!" She added crossing her arms sternly.

Kakashi nodded in agreement before guiding the children in his hold into the shadow of the nearby beach huts despite their squirming and desperate effort to get away.

Kakashi felt all the massed group of eyes on him until he was safely behind the shacks cover and then he released the children gently.

Defensively the girl stood before her brother as they backed up against the buried wooden home in preparation for what was to come.

Kakashi raised his hand and they both tensed expecting a punishing blow to strike either one of them, instinctively closing their eyes in waiting. But the pain never came.

Then something soft rustled the top of their head and both children couldn't help but peer their eyes open to see what it was.

They were met by Kakashi's smiling face mask covered and all as he softly patted the tops of their heads almost apologetically.

"You two should really try to watch where you play from now on. Okay?" He whispered calmly before climbing to his feet.

Both children stared up at the ex-ANBU member in amazement. Was this some sort of trick? H-He wasn't going to hurt them?

"Oh before I forget-" Kakashi began reaching into his back pocket.

Wordlessly the boy and girl watched as the silver haired ninja retrieved a massive wad of folded cash. It was more money then they could ever remember seeing in their young lives!

Without hesitation Kakashi extended the mound of currency down towards them watching as they took hold of it timidly.

"That should get you some more ice cream. Stay hidden until you see us leave." Kakashi instructed and both children stared up at the complete stranger like he was a god send.

"Take care." Kakashi waved over his shoulder before emerging from behind the row of shacks and peering out the coroner of his eye to make sure the duo of kids had followed his instructions. Which they did flawlessly.

"Good. Now let's go home!" Shan called to the now slumped shouldered ninja approaching her. He played the role of guilt perfectly, but in all honestly it wasn't that hard of a thing to fake at this point in time.

But as Kakashi took his assigned place back at Shan's side for the very first time something besides blame began to build just below the surface.

Sheer hatred.

Thick steam filled the cool midnight air visibly spiraling upwards in a clouded mass from the heated pool below to dissipate into the looming black starless sky above.

Sakura stared tiredly through her sleepless eyes at the dark void letting the heated water wash away all the retained stress that seemed to linger in her hidden muscles.

Resting her back against the hot springs rim she sighed contently. This moment is something she would have killed for in the past. Just sitting her quietly under the night sky and letting her body heat to its core in the mellowing water, but like everything else in her life.

Her mind kept her from enjoying even a moment of this serenity.

What Yamato had said earlier her been true. In a matter of uncomfortably silent hours they had reached the local inn and settled in for what would most likely be their last chance to rest before reaching their mission location.

Sakura knew that fact and had tried to force herself to soak up what little relaxation she could. But, even now while trying to scrub away all her troubles in the murky soap scented water she just couldn't force the thoughts that swarmed her away.

It had been the wood users words that had seeded this blame inside her. He had accused her of being childish. In the moment Sakura could have sworn she had seen nothing but pure red the moment she had heard that little dig leave the ANBU members lips.

But now sitting her so quietly and actually having time to sort through her thoughts she could see things a bit more level headedly.

Maybe she was being immature... Who was she kidding? Of course she was. They weren't academy students having some little disagreement. They were ninja, élite shinobi who carried the responsibility of their village on their shoulders.

Acting the way she had couldn't go on. They were partners after all, being able to communicate was the bassist of any mission. And not doing something so curtail just because she was uncomfortable or angry put the success of their objective in jeopardy.

Sakura sunk deeper into the scolding bath stopping only when the water reached under her nose. Her lips under the surface she huffed lowly causing little bubbles to burst upwards.

Things were so complicated now and they weren't going to get any easier. Despite her best efforts to try and think of a solution she didn't know how to face Yamato. Maybe even attempt to apologize for her accusations earlier.

In her heated annoyance she had really grasped a straws trying to allege that the wood user had somehow set up this mission just to get the two of them alone. Sure he had the connections in the leaf to do just that, but Yamato would never be that deceiving. It wasn't in his nature.

Especially seeing in the last few days he had been just as reluctant and uncomfortable as she had.

Sakura closed her slightly hazy emerald eyes. She would think of a way to face him, just not tonight. She didn't have the energy. She was just so, drained. Emotionally and physically.

Dragging her from her thoughts the familiar sound of the hot springs entrance door sliding open broke the silence and Sakura instantly straightened up instinctively crossing her arms over her naked chest.

Urugh. She had hoped this wouldn't happen. Of course she wasn't the only patron at this inn who wanted to enjoy the springs but she had postponed it all day long just to try an avoid this problem.

She didn't want to bathe with complete strangers especially since this bath was co-ed. The last thing she wanted was for some strange old pervert eyeing her most private assets.

Weighing her options Sakura opted for finishing washing as quickly as she could then making a quick and skillful exit.

That was until the form of the approaching figure finally parted through the steam and Sakura saw exactly who she was now having to face.

Instantly Sakura's gaze filled with disbelief as her eyes met the pair of black almond shaped orbs staring back at her.

"What are you doing here!?" Sakura shot out directly making sure to conceal her lower half under the foggy water and shielding her chest even more impossibly tighter than before.

"Bathing." Yamato replied flatly planting his feet by a small bench mounted against the high oak fence surrounding the spring. Placing a neatly folded pile of fresh towels on the narrow plank.

His eyes never leaving the task at hand as if Sakura's being there didn't even matter in the slightest.

"Here?!" Sakura asked aggravation thick in her voice. She couldn't believe this! She had just been trying to think of a time and place from the two of them to have a rational level headed conversation and he goes and pulls something like this!

Was he purposely trying to make things more tense between them?

"It's a co-ed bath Sakura." Yamato stated eyeing the tie of his robe belt before he slowly began to untangled the woven band.

"I know that! What I meant was why are you bathing now?! You couldn't wait until I left?" Sakura snapped. Why did this man have to be so absolutely frustrating! It was like he knew how to push all her buttons at once!

"Not everything I do has to revolve around you." Yamato said sharply in a tone that cut right through the misty air between them.

Sakura felt an equally as nasty reply burn her tongue but she kept it trapped behind her teeth. Getting frustrated and saying something she might regret like earlier today would only add to the stress that was their partnership.

For the sake of the mission. She had to remain calm.

But despite her inner restraint she could feel her eyes burn with aggravation and she was sure Yamato felt it too.

"Look, Its late." Yamato began in a heavy sigh shedding his robe away to reveal the hard outline of his sculpted body.

Forcing her too Sakura tore her eyes away in fear she might mentally relive what it had felt like to touch his perfectly defined form first hand.

"The trip here has been a headache, and I need a bath before I try and manage some sleep. So if my being here upsets you, no one is forcing you to stay." Yamato's blunt tone caused a fresh pulsation of hidden friction to course through Sakura's veins but she didn't allow herself to react.

Counting backwards from ten and forcing herself to take a steadying breath she eased herself back down under the cover of the water. She would just bathe like she had originally planned and get out. No need for unwanted confrontation.

When Yamato turned to enter the heated pool Sakura instinctively turned her back. She didn't need to see anymore than she already had.

The steaming water welcomed Yamato with a relaxing slosh as he submerged himself fully going head first under before slowly rising back up until he found a comfortable position by the rounded bath rim.

Resting his head back against the stone edge he sighed heavily. He needed this.

Sakura couldn't resist the urge to peer over her naked shoulder at the oblivious wood user staring up at the night sky in almost the exact position she had earlier been in.

She wasn't about to deny how annoyed she now was about him intruding on her bath. Especially since it looked like he couldn't care less about glancing in her direction. He hadn't from the moment he entered the bath.

But beneath her aggravation she couldn't help but take in the wood users unusual features.

His usually smooth face was riddled with light stubble from neglecting to shave. The deep hue of his ink black eyes a now sort of off colored dull grey matching almost perfectly the dark circles that were beginning to form under them.

He looked even more exhausted then she felt. Like he hadn't gotten a decent night sleep in weeks. For the first time Sakura felt her anger melt away into something much more upsetting. Sympathy.

It was like she was looking at a mirror image of what waged inside her just beneath the surface. The confusion, the restlessness, but most of all the guilt.

Sakura tore her eyes away cupping a handful of steaming water to wash over her shoulder almost desperate to finish here and hide herself away.

She didn't want to see him like this. It actually hurt.

He was like a living breathing phantom of the chaos she had created. A walking talking reminder that the selfish choices she had made didn't just affect her life. It had taken several others down with it.

Sakura felt the sharp stab of fresh dejection puncture through her heart. Why did Yamato do this to her? Why was being around him so hard?

She wanted to hate him! Hate! So why couldn't she?

Before she could stop herself Sakura felt the words that had burned on her tongue for months now slip out and she helpless to stop them.

"I'm sorry." She whispered her jade eyes searing into the rippling water just beneath her.

Yamato lifted his head staring over to the motionless kunoichi in silence. Had he heard her right? Or was the exhaustion running through his body finally getting the better of him.

Reluctantly Sakura's gaze met his and he instantly knew he hadn't.

"The way I've been acting towards you since we left the village." Sakura breathed, "And before that-"

Sakura couldn't force herself to mouth the rest of her apology. What could she say? There were no words to describe her regret.

"This isn't easy Yamato." She finished trying to hide the almost devastation filling her conflicting tone. Fearful of what his response would be if he could really hear what was lingering inside her just beneath the skin.

Yamato was taken back by her sudden burst of maturity. Doing something like this, facing what had been built between them head on. It was noble of her and he respected her for it. Though that didn't make any of this any easier to stand.

"I know it isn't." Yamato whispered hanging his head lowly unwillingly getting a clear glimpse of the stranger staring back at him in the waters shifting refection.

Setting aside the modesty she might have felt otherwise Sakura slowly walked forward closing the narrow distance that separated them until she stood on a foot or so from his side.

Her jade eyes staring ahead sorrowfully not daring to peer in his direction afraid his gaze might undo her completely.

"Yamato-" She began in a struggling whisper.

The silent ANBU member didn't respond only continuously stared down into the incoherent image of swaying water and steam.

"Do you feel as horrible as I do?" Sakura knew the answer before the question ever left her lips. But for some reason maybe having just an ounce of her own misery outspoken and shared with another would ease the pain inside.

Yamato smiled a hollow and empty smirk.

"Worse." He answered.

Sakura bowed her head. Hearing the truth didn't help. It just made it harder to breathe.

"Goodnight, Yamato." Without another word she ascended the pools steps to try and distance herself from what was currently trying to suffocate her.

"Goodnight, Sakura." Yamato whispered.

With that Yamato slowly closed his heavy eyes and sank into the scorching water until it engulfed him entirely.

Next update should be coming just after the holidays! Or before just depends on when I have the time to sit down and write. College is really taking a lot out of me!

But, never fear I will be back! Peace & Love!