Series: Blue

Pairing:SuperSakura, with mentions of SasuSakuNaru

Rating: T

Beta: kagomaru

Title Credit: JaneSwan

A/N: READ ME FIRST! WIA will have 3 chapters. Part II & III still need a little work but this one is finished. It's been a month so I thought I'd go ahead and give this to you since there isn't (in my opinion anyway) a cliffhanger.

That night she was with Clark Kent—as his date. They were at a very elegant party, but Clark was there to cover a story about a man named Lex Luthor, who was rumored to be considering running for President. Clark explained to her that the President was roughly the equivalent to her Hokage.

Just one look at Clark's face and she could tell Clark didn't want Lex Luthor to be his Kage. He also obviously didn't trust the man even a little. She tried to question him about it, but he, in an extremely polite way, brushed her off.

She was no great detective, but she deduced that the two men had some sort of history… Not to mention he had been acting oddly since he had taken her to see his parents. There was no doubt in her mind that he had seen through her lie about Naruto being just a teammate. She hurt him, albeit unintentionally, and ended up hurting herself as well.

She couldn't keep her past from him any longer. She couldn't stand him pushing her away. Previously it had seemed like every day they got a little closer, but now it was as if they had taken twenty steps back. She decided then and there that she'd tell him the truth as soon as they returned home.

Her eyes scanned the room looking for Clark. He had left her alone shortly after Lex Luthor gave a speech to his guests. He gave her some odd excuse about where he was going, but before she could question him he was gone. Sakura now felt like a wallflower; she hated missions like this where she felt like she couldn't be herself in fear of getting caught. She liked the dress though. She had purchased a stunning floor length red gown with a heart shaped neckline that she had been certain would make Clark's eyes roll out of his head the second he saw her in it.

She was wrong, they didn't. Just thinking about his lack of reaction pissed her off. She looked good if she did say so herself. The least he could do was drool a little; she was pouting and she knew it. Sakura sighed.

A voice interrupted her thoughts and Sakura raised her startled eyes to meet that of the man of the hour. "I'm Lex Luthor." He held out his hand, presumably to shake hers. Sakura extended her own hand, but he surprisingly caught it in his and brought it to his lips. Despite herself, she blushed. "And you would be?"

"Ms. Naharueno." Sakura said with a smile.

"Japanese I presume?" He spoke in her native tongue, delighting Sakura. It had been so long since she had heard someone speak in her language- she responded in kind.

"I'm impressed."

He smiled. "What did you think of my speech?"

Sakura spoke honestly. "You are a very charismatic man."

"I'm sensing a 'but' somewhere in there."

Sakura shrugged. "I've met men who have more charisma in their pinky finger than you have in your entire body. I think I'm immune." Lex laughed, drawing the attention of more than one person. In fact, it even drew the attention of her important person. Clark appeared at her side. "Ah, Kent." Lex Luthor said switching smoothly back to English. He looked back and forth between Sakura and Clark and said, "Is the charming Ms. Naharueno with you?"

"Yes, she is." Sakura put a hand on his arm because his tone was borderline rude. Had he heeded her warning that night, maybe things would have turned out differently.

"You're a reporter then?" Lex asked Sakura, who shook her head.

"Not at all. I have no interest in Clark's line of work."

"Then what do you do?"

"I work at the Pl-"

"Excuse us Mr. Luthor, but I promised her a dance." Lex and Clark locked eyes before Sakura realized she was going to have to diffuse some of the tension.

"It was nice meeting you Mr. Luthor." Lex slowly turned his attention back to Sakura. His eyes bore into hers and she found herself slightly unnerved yet a little intrigued by the man. What was it about him that bothered Clark so much?

"Hopefully, we'll meet again." He turned and purposely strode away as if their existence was no longer pertinent. Sakura was far from offended by it. She had more important things on her mind so she dismissed all thought of Lex Luthor and focused on the man at her side.

She opened her mouth to say something to Clark but he began leading her to the dance floor. She chose not to say anything, especially since she was actually a little delighted that he was really going to dance with her. Instead, she allowed him to pull her close to him and swayed to the music. She didn't even mind that he adopted his clumsy persona and occasionally stepped on her foot.

"What did he-" Sakura shushed Clark.

"Not now Clark. Just dance with me." Clark tightened his arms around her and Sakura let out a little sigh of contentment.

He didn't leave her side again that night.

Unfortunately, when they returned home, she didn't get to chance to tell him about Naruto because he was too busy grilling her about Lex Luthor.

"Sakura!"

"Yes, Jimmy?" Sakura paused in her tracks. She was on her way to lunch when the photographer caught up to her and pushed a package in her hands.

"You got a package."

Sakura chuckled. "Aren't I the one that normally delivers the mail?"

Jimmy shrugged. "Not when it comes from a man like Lex Luthor." Sakura arched a brow and looked down at the package. "You must have impressed him last night."

Sakura blinked. "How did you-"

"Well, Clark had to take someone with him. I suggested he take you."

"You suggested it." Sakura said flatly.

"Yeah, did you have fun?" Sakura made some sort of noncommittal reply before looking down at the package in her hands. She inspected it briefly before ripping it open- only to find a phone inside that rang just as she pulled it out. Sakura glanced at Jimmy, who shrugged.

Sakura answered the phone. "Ms. Naharueno." He spoke in Japanese once again, making Sakura smile despite herself.

"Mr. Luthor. You must have gone through a lot of trouble to locate me."

"It was no trouble at all. In fact, it was my pleasure."

The man had the innate ability to make her blush. "Is there any reason why you wanted to speak to me?"

"There is. Have lunch with me."

"Mr. Luthor I'm already on my lunch break. You aren't here now so I just can't-"

"Who says I'm not here? Come outside." Sakura glanced at Jimmy who was shamelessly eavesdropping. She made a face at him before heading for the elevators. After waiting a few minutes for the elevators that were slower than a turtle Sakura whirled and headed for the stairs. It was a long way down, but it wasn't something that she worried about at all since it wouldn't even leave her winded.

After she walked out of the building, her eyes landed on a limousine that she assumed was Lex Luthor's, but she wasn't about to go jump into a car without knowing for sure. Although, given the fact that Clark didn't trust the man at all (even though she didn't know why), she probably shouldn't get in the car with him at all. She trusted Clark's judgment most of the time, but Lex Luthor really intrigued her.

The driver stepped out of the car and opened the door for her.

"Ms Naharueno," The driver murmured bowing slightly to her. Sakura approached the car cautiously and slid inside only to meet the eyes of Lex Luthor.

Sakura couldn't help thinking the man was gorgeous—or to put it correctly he was sexy. There was just something about him that oozed sex appeal. For that reason alone, she probably should have gotten out the car and run far, far away.

But this was a Naruto and Justice League crossover. It had nothing to do with Shrek. So she stayed in the limo.

"Where are we headed?" Sakura inquired noting that they were still in downtown Metropolis.

"In due time Ms. Naharueno... or may I call you Sakura?"

Sakura thought about that briefly before saying, "I don't know, may I call you Lex?"

"If that is what you prefer."

"Then you may call me Sakura...until you do something to make me revoke the privilege." Lex chuckled, but remained silent for the remainder of the ride which suited Sakura fine.

Her mind wandered to Clark and she felt a sting of pain. It hadn't been his idea to take her to Lex Luthor's party, but rather Jimmy's idea. Was there some other choice he had in mind so that she wasn't the first person to come to mind? Some woman he had taken a fancy to that she knew nothing of?

She was so tired of them dancing around each other. This time, when she got home, she would speak to him honestly and hope for the best. If things didn't work out, well, maybe it would finally be time for her to head home.

Hopefully, she'd forget that she had ever met a super man.

"Penny for your thoughts."

Sakura blinked, realizing they had made their way into the restaurant and were now seated. She had no idea she was so out of it.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"I must admit I'm not used to a woman not hanging on my every word."

Sakura laughed. "I imagine you aren't, but I'm not your ordinary woman."

"I didn't think you were."

Sakura paused, raising an amused brow as Lex took the opportunity to order her food for her.

"Is that why I'm here then? Because I'm not an ordinary woman?" She couldn't help the damnable curiosity that was growing inside her about every aspect of Clark's life. She didn't know the problem between him and Clark, but she did know that Lex was an influential man. What he could possibly want with her was beyond her capability of imagining.

"I prefer to think of it as me wanting to enjoy the company of a woman who doesn't seem to fear me or want to use me." Sakura completely dismissed the 'wanting to use' him part. That wasn't her thing. She didn't know whether or not she should fear him. She wasn't stupid enough to say she shouldn't when she didn't even know the man.

"Should I be afraid of you Lex?"

He didn't answer which in and of itself was an answer.

"You work in the mail room at the Planet. Why?"

"You've certainly done your research on me. It makes a lady wonder why." The food was placed before them and Sakura murmured "Thank you for the food." Her face scrunched up as she ate her first few bites but she resumed eating a few seconds later with no problems.

"I've noted that a lot of people at the Planet come in contact with Superman. Have you?" His tone had a curious note to it and Sakura wondered if this was the purpose of him taking her to lunch. She suddenly remembered that Lois Lane had died because of her association with Superman. It was kind of ironic that a few moments later her name was mentioned.

"I've seen him if that's what you mean."

"You've talked to him?"

"I suppose that depends upon what you mean by 'talk'." She was being evasive and he hadn't caught on. That alone made her sit through the meal that she was ready to walk out on.

"He had a particular fondness for an old reporter at the Planet by the name of Lois Lane."

"I know of her. I hear she was a phenomenal reporter."

"Mmm. So, why is it, Sakura that a woman with intelligence as blatant as yours is working for the Daily Planet in the mail room of all places?"

He asked it again as if he knew there was something she was hiding from him and from the world. He also said it as if he knew that she would tell him the truth if he only asked for it. It made her angry because she figured out why he thought she'd give away information about herself so easily but she didn't show it.

"I like working at the Planet."

"Even if it's a waste of your potential?"

"You have no idea what my potential is."

"I think I do. Come work for me and let me prove it to you."

"No thank you." Sakura said promptly.

"You haven't even heard my offer."

"I don't have to. Any man who would poison my food is not a man I want in my life on a regular basis—no matter what he offers me."

"How did you-"

"If I tell you, would you even believe my answer? Or would you try to drug me again in order to obtain the 'truth'?" Lex narrowed his eyes and Sakura had a feeling that she was in the midst of making an enemy, and she didn't want that. It was alright for Sakura Haruno to have enemies, but if Sakura Naharueno did, that could bring trouble to Clark's doorstep. That was the last thing she wanted.

"You have three questions you can ask me Mr. Luthor and I will answer them honestly and completely and then I will leave. Choose wisely."

Lex leaned back in his chair, studying her closely to ascertain just how far he could push her. Sakura made sure she had on her best 'don't f with me' face.

"How did you know your food was drugged?"

"I had a lover who poisoned my food on a regular basis in order to build up my immunity to it. Every type of poison known to man has run its course through my system. I've ingested so much it's amazing I'm not toxic. He did it because he wanted to ensure that I was not killed by something as mundane as poison." Sakura deliberately didn't mention the fact that even before that she was an expert on poisons and drugs. He didn't need to know that.

"He sounds neurotic."

"He is. However, I will not allow you insult him." No one was allowed to talk badly about Sasuke. She didn't care how true their words were.

"Do you still love him?"

"Is that your second question?" Sakura inquired. Lex paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "Yes."

"Then the answer is I don't know. It's foolish to poke a sleeping lion to see if it is hungry. I leave my feelings for him alone where they can't hurt me."

"Interesting analogy." Sakura shrugged. It was accurate. She wouldn't say that all she had ever experienced at Sasuke's hands was pain (there had been plenty of pleasure as well) but she could say that the pain he inflicted had left a lasting impression.

"What did this man want from you that he would poison you on a regular basis to make you stronger?"

"Children." Sakura replied and then rose to her feet. "I would say that lunch was delightful, but given the circumstances Mr. Luthor I hope you understand why I prefer not to lie."

"Of course." Sakura bowed slightly before exiting the restaurant.

Lex watched her go, even more intrigued by her now than he was the moment he laid eyes on her. Curiously, he wondered how much power Sakura Naharueno's old lover thought he would get from her children and why he had such a notion.

He didn't question whether or not she was telling the truth nor did he realize that in the midst of the conversation Sakura switched her food with his.

Genjutsu. It's a wonderful thing.

Sakura caught a cab back to the Planet thankful that when she arrived Clark was nowhere in sight and superbly glad she worked on a different floor than him. However, when she got off work to find him outside of her department waiting for her, the look in his eyes told her that he knew where she had gone- and who she had been with.

She was going to kill Jimmy.

She didn't say a word because several people were looking at them curiously. He was Clark Kent, famous reporter, after all. What was he doing by the mail room looking for her? They walked outside of the building and headed home on foot. However the first thing Clark did when he was certain no one was listening was say, "Give me the phone."

She didn't even hesitate in handing the phone that Lex Luthor had given her over to Clark. The second he got it in his hand he crushed it to bits. He then put the remnants in the nearest trash can because Clark wasn't one to litter.

The walk home was the longest walk of her life. She felt like a child about to be punished for bad behavior. Although technically she knew it was probably a bad idea to get in the car with Lex, she had to learn the hard way. She was fortunate that he had only attempted to drug her. Things could have gone a lot worse; she really did have Sasuke's neurosis to thank for that.

When they finally made it to Clark's apartment building the doorman informed them that Sakura had a package at the desk. Sakura inwardly groaned somehow knowing who, exactly, it was from. She thanked the doorman with a smile who flinched at Clark's dark look. She debated whether or not to get the package now or wait till later.

Deciding to put off her impending doom she sent Clark upstairs and went to get her package. It was accompanied by a note that simply said,

My apologies,
LL

Sakura found it kind of disturbing that he knew so much information about her in such a short about of time. His Intelligence division must be phenomenal. Sakura opened the package only to discover a beautiful necklace, though it wasn't something overly extravagant. In fact, it was beautiful in its simplicity.

The necklace itself was made of white gold. There was nothing special about it. It was merely a chain. The pendant, on the other hand, was of a tree the leaves of which were rubies. It reminded her of home. She absolutely adored it.

Lex Luthor was undoubtedly an asshole, but when he apologized he did it well.

Sakura closed the box the necklace was in and went up to the apartment that she shared with Clark Kent.

Clark was beyond frustrated. There was this part of him that wanted to push Sakura away for so many reasons. Her world was so very different from his own. The fact that she spoke of interrogation so casually bothered him. As he grew to know more about her just how much more would he find out about her that would make him uneasy? What if she tried to harm the people of his world for what she thought was 'the greater good?'

Truthfully, he knew Sakura better than that. She wouldn't, her heart was too soft for that type of thing. But what if there was something else that he didn't know about her that came back to bite him later? He needed to talk to her, but ever since they left his parents the distance between them had grown. He knew it was his fault, but how did he bridge the gap?

He had tried to do that by taking her to Lex Luthor's party. Yes, he had been working, but he had hoped that they would have time to spend together during the party...but she had been so breathtakingly stunning that he was afraid if he stayed too close to her he would do something foolish.

And then she caught Lex's attention. He should have known she would have. Lex loved beautiful women almost as much as he loved power—okay, maybe 'almost' was an exaggeration, but still. The thought that Sakura had willing gone on a date with Lex worried, angered, and scared him. Probably the latter more than anything else.

So he had to talk to her. He had to tell her how he felt about her, about Lex, he had to be honest because he knew he'd lose her if he didn't.

He couldn't lose her. With that thought in mind Clark strode into his apartment only to realize that he was being...robbed or maybe it was more like he had acquired a squatter.

There was a man in his refrigerator helping himself to his food. He had several dogs with him, which were sprawled over his sofa, his floor, and everywhere.

When he saw Clark gaping at him, he raised a hand and uttered the most causal, "Yo," Clark had ever heard.

His hair was a shocking gray and yet he wasn't an old man. He was shorter than Clark and lankier, yet in no way did he seem intimidated by Clark's size. His face was almost completely covered by a dark mask and one eye was covered as well, revealing only a fraction of his face.

"What are you doing in my home?"

"Your home?" He inquired and then looked at one of the dogs and said, "I caught Sakura's scent here. Did you catch it as well?"

The man was talking to a dog. He was crazy—wait did he say Sakura? It was then that he heard a high pitched squeal come from Sakura. She dashed passed him and threw herself into the man's waiting arms. Clark felt a stab of jealousy begin to eat at him as he realized that his eye covering was a forehead protector much like the one Sakura wore in battle. Was this her lover? The one that had hurt her so badly she had to come to a completely different world to get over it? And she just willingly ran into his arms?

"What are you doing here?" Sakura exclaimed.

"Oh, well, I got lost on the road of life and ended up here..." Sakura scowled and then realized that he was speaking English.

"Did the Hokage give you the diamond as well?" Sakura glanced up at his forehead noting that it was covered by his forehead protector.

"She did." Kakashi confirmed.

"Where is it?" Sakura asked, reaching for his forehead protector, but Kakashi swiftly moved out of her reach not allowing the action.

Kakashi giggled. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Sakura took thirty seconds to be horrified at what that could mean, but that was probably the whole point of the question.

Clark, after witnessing the scene, made a move to leave, but Sakura turned to him and smiled beautifully at him. "Clark! Let me introduce you to Kakashi." She walked over to him and grabbed his hand dragging him closer to his unwanted visitor.

"Kakashi this is Clark. Clark, this is Kakashi. Kakashi was one of my teachers when I was younger. We were on a team together."

"Are on a team together."

"You know what I meant sensei." Sakura rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. Her sensei kept shooting glances at Superman obviously asking Sakura to explain his presence. Sakura ignored him.

"So why are you really here? Did Tsunade send you?"

Kakashi reached out and pinched her cheek. "Can't I check up on my cute little student?" Sakura's eyes narrowed into slits before turning away from him to go pick up one of the dogs.

"Pakkun!"

"Yo." The dog replied as Sakura picked him up and scratched behind his ears. It was then that he noted that the dogs were clothed...and that the dog had just spoken. Was he dreaming? Had he inhaled some hallucinogenic Kryptonite?

"Sakura..." Clark began, but she was too far gone in doggy heaven to pay any attention to him; so much so that she didn't notice her sensei pull him off to the side. His eye cold and hard as he stared at him, but Clark met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Any particular reason why my sole female student is here with you and not with the Princess I was told she would be with?" Kakashi asked his eye creasing with a smile that Clark didn't feel was the least bit natural. In fact, it was ominous and Clark had a feeling the man was dangerous when crossed.

"Yes, there is. I told her she could stay here if she wanted." Clark was determined to leave it at that, but the man smiled. "Oh, so you won't mind if I stay as well." Before Clark could reply the man strolled off to Sakura and told her of his plans to stay with them.

Sakura was happy about this, but Clark couldn't find it in himself to rejoice in her happiness. He had a feeling it would be the visit from hell.

He was right.

In light of the fact that Clark found himself living with a single woman while he was a single man he didn't really have room to talk about propriety. It didn't mean he didn't want to.

They shared a room. Sakura told him that it was his apartment, after all, so he shouldn't have to share his room. Besides, she told him, they were accustomed to sharing living space since they were teammates. He appreciated her courtesy, but he didn't like it even a little bit when he realized that not only were they sharing a room but they were sharing a bed also.

He shouldn't have known that. He had used his x-ray vision for evil instead of good and now he remembered why he had a rule against doing that.

They also shared a bathroom. And he didn't need x-ray vision to figure that one out. They left the door open. He had been shocked, to say the least, to see Sakura wrapped in an itty...bitty...towel...

…

…

And that was enough thinking about that.

Her 'sensei' had been in the shower while she brushed her teeth. As he passed by she waved at him—although her cheeks were a bit rosy and continued the conversation that she was having with the man.

Clark went to work shortly after that. People gave him wide berth because it was very obvious that he wasn't in the best of moods. Which was shocking because truthfully, it was a rare occasion.

"You want to tell me what's going on between you and the civvie?"

Sakura opened her mouth to tell Kakashi that Clark was anything but a civilian, but she didn't think Clark would appreciate that very much.

"We're just roommates. He's a friend of Diana's and he's allowing me to stay here."

"You do realize that I know there's more going on than that?"

Sakura pursed her lips. Of course she knew. The man was a genius. It probably took him less than thirty seconds to figure it out.

"I know."

"What about Naruto and Sasuke?" Kakashi asked quietly.

"We're not together anymore. That's a moot point."

"Sakura, you know that Naruto's never going to let you go until you talk to him." Sakura turned her head not able to look at him. She knew that probably better than he did, but she didn't want to acknowledge it because if she did then she'd have to leave. She didn't tell Kakashi any of that though. "Maybe not even then. Look, Tsunade sent me here to tell you she's not sure how much longer she can hold him off. You know Naruto never gives up. It's not his way."

"I can't be in a relationship like that anymore. It's too much for anyone to bear."

"Even if they both loved you?"

"We both know that isn't the case."

"Sakura, Sasuke loves you." Sakura scoffed. "He always has. He's just not very demonstrative, but you know that."

"You seem to be under the impression that I was the one that ended the relationship. Sasuke chose this. Sasuke threw me out. It's always about Sasuke and I'm sick of it. Everyone, including him, seems to think that he should get a free ticket because the Council ordered his brother to kill his entire family. That he can just treat everyone any way he pleases and it should be okay. Well, I'm tired of that. It's become an excuse that is no longer acceptable. I am a person. I have feelings, and I will not be treated like I am the most worthless shinobi in the world anymore. I refuse."

Kakashi stared at Sakura silently for a while before standing, moving closer to her and ruffling her hair. Sakura scowled and swatted his hand away. She had no idea why he was so fond of doing that. "I'm proud of you Sakura. It only took you a little over a decade to realize that." Sakura immediately channeled chakra to her fists with the intention of knocking her beloved teacher the hell out.

He held up his hands and danced out of her reach.

"Now, now you wouldn't want to ruin your new boyfriend's home, would you?"

She didn't take the least bit of offense at Clark being called her boyfriend, besides it would have been pointless to argue the point with Kakashi since he'd only give her this smug knowing look. Instead, Sakura thought about his words for a moment before deciding that it was worth Clark's irritation. She ended up chasing him through Metropolis before she went to work. She didn't catch him, though. He was the elusive Copy Ninja after all. Elusive being the key word.

Nevertheless despite his ability to annoy her to a point of rage she was still in a really good mood when she made it to work.

"You remind me of a friend of mine. He prefers green spandex but I think the color blue suits you." Clark froze. Sakura had gone to the grocery story leaving him alone with the current bane of his existence.

It seemed like the man went out of his way to annoy Clark beyond belief—not to mention he and his dogs were eating them out of house and home. He even went out to dinner with them and skipped out on the bill. And Sakura said nothing about this, nothing. It was like it was normal to her. "Don't worry, Sakura didn't tell me your little secret. I figured it out on my own."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Clark had never seen the man in his vicinity while he was Superman. He wasn't going to give away anything.

"Sure you don't." Kakashi tapped his nose. "But the nose never lies."

"What are you part dog?"

Pakkun spoke up, "You say it like it's a bad thing." The other nin-dogs, as they were called, muttered in agreement.

Clark ran a hand over his face. He should have gone to the store in Sakura's place.

"I've been in this world for a while. It's a very interesting place." He paused and Clark wondered whether or not he was waiting for him to say 'thank you' or something. "Sakura knows me well enough to know that I wouldn't come here to discover her staying with some stranger without finding out everything there is to know about him. I've been trailing you for months."

Clark narrowed his eyes and said nothing.

"Who you are and what you represent is something to be admired and respected." Clark raised a brow surprised. He somehow got the feeling that Kakashi didn't like him but maybe that wasn't the case. "However if who you are and what you represent harms Sakura in any way, I have no qualms about killing you—and don't think that because I know of your other persona I believe you are invulnerable. I'm not a fool. Every man has a weakness and if Sakura comes to any harm in your care I'll find that weakness and exploit it."

"You come into my home and threaten me-"

"Yes. Because Sakura is here all by herself with no one that she really knows or trusts to rely on."

The majority of Clark's ire left him when he put it that way. "You care about her."

"I do. I've...not done right by Sakura in the past. I owe her this and much more." His words were a red flag in Clark's mind.

"Are you in love with her? Are you the one that broke her heart?"

"I take it she hasn't told you about Sasuke then. No, I'm not the one who broke her heart. Our relationship is strictly platonic."

"Then-" Clark cut himself off, but Kakashi knew what he was going to ask.

"We're teammates—not to mention Sakura is my personal medic." Although Sakura probably wouldn't agree with that assessment. "Modesty died a cruel death with us long ago."

Clark took a moment to quietly absorb this before saying, "Your ways are very different from my own."

Kakashi didn't reply to his very accurate assessment. "You speak of death so casually when to me every life is important."

"We are shinobi. A lot of us live by the code of either kill or be killed."

"But not all?"

"No. Not all. One of our teammates, his name is Naruto, sort of changed our world."

"One person?"

"I think you and I both know that one person can make a difference. This is the person that Sakura fought side by side with. His ideals have rubbed off a bit on her."

"But not you?"

"I'm an old dog." Kakashi said by way of explanation. Clark slowly nodded and then said, "What did Sauce-Kay do to her?"

"Sa-su-ke." Kakashi corrected. "What do you know?"

"That when she first came here she cried a lot because of him. She doesn't do it as often now, but I still hear her crying from time to time."

Kakashi frowned. "If Sakura still cries I have no doubt that it has nothing to do with Sasuke." Clark took a moment to let that soak in. He didn't like the answer that he came up with.

"Then...it's me."

Kakashi said nothing to that. Although the look he gave Clark clearly said 'fix it'. "Sakura had a childhood infatuation with Sasuke when I met her at twelve years old."

"Then it wasn't love."

"I never said that. It's not up to me to say what Sakura felt for Sasuke after they grew older. They lived together, they were lovers, they planned on having children, living a life together."

"But he threw her out." Clark said flatly.

"Ah, so you do know a few things." Kakashi pulled out a little orange book and suddenly the door opened. Clark realized that he had been so absorbed in Kakashi's words that he hadn't noticed Sakura's approach.

"Sensei!" Sakura said scandalized. She glanced at Clark and then back at Kakashi. Sakura then made an unsuccessful attempt to snatch his book out of his hand.

"He wouldn't have known what I was reading if you hadn't pointed it out to him Sakura."

"I knew what you were reading." Sakura huffed and then moved away from Kakashi in order to take the groceries into the kitchen. Clark still didn't know although he was filled with foreboding at seeing the man chasing the woman on the cover and the big red circle with the slash through it.

"Hmm. Perhaps you should be used to it by now." Sakura growled and threw and apple at the man who simply caught it and took a bite out of it. "Thanks." He murmured and continued reading.

"Pervert!" Sakura hissed and stalked across the room grabbing Clark by the hand and dragging him out. "Get your own food. We're going out!"

The door closed and Pakkun looked at Kakashi and said, "You know you could have pissed her off after she cooked."

"Ah, but then I wouldn't be able to go through all Clark Kent's belongings."

Pakkun sent him a flat look.

"What? I wasn't really going to do it."

Pakkun continued to look at him. "Sometimes I wonder if you're my summon or Sakura's."

"… she's a lot cuter than you are. And she's a master at bribery."

:::

Sakura didn't release Clark's hand after they left. In fact, she felt emboldened by the fact that he didn't pull away either. She squeezed his hand a little tighter and took a glance at him.

He didn't look her way. Instead, he kept his eye on his surroundings, but he did tug her a little closer making Sakura smile. Eventually, Clark ended up leading the way and they went to a little Italian restaurant that he claimed served the greatest food.

They slid into a little booth across from each other which Sakura thought was awkward since every few seconds they ended up staring into each others' eyes. The silence between them stretched on to a point where Sakura was starting to feel uncomfortable so she decided to break the silence.

"Sorry about my sensei. He is a bit eccentric."

Clark gave her a wry smile. He had figured that out already—and the fact that it was more than 'a bit'.

"He cares about you a lot."

"Maybe he does. That doesn't make him less of a pain in the ass though." They both laughed at that bit of truth.

Clark reached his hand across the table and took Sakura's hand in his. He ran his thumb back and forth across her knuckles in a way that was supposed to be soothing but was in actuality far from it. "Sakura, look, I wanted to talk to you."

"I wanted to talk to you too. There just never seemed a good time for it."

"There's no time like the present." Sakura sighed and was about to speak when Clark spoke first. It seemed like his earlier statement had been something to give him a bit of encouragement and not her so she waited until he said his piece. "I haven't been treating you well lately have I Sakura?"

Sakura's eyes widened. She hadn't had that thought at all.

"No, Clark. You treat me very well. I-"

"Yes, but you're comparing how I treat you to how he treated you and that's not a fair or accurate comparison."

"He...?" Did he know about Sasuke and Naruto? Sakura's heart began pounding in her chest furiously. Had Kakashi told him anything?

"I...I care about you Sakura. I think I'm falling in love with you." Actually, he was already in love with her but he found that he couldn't say those words just yet. But maybe one day soon he'd be able to. "There's no reason for me to push you away the way I have. The truth is that I've been afraid."

"Of me dying?" Clark flinched.

"Of that, but also of who you are."

"Who I am? I don't understand."

"You live in a world completely different from my own. You speak casually of killing, and interrogation and things that I'm opposed to." Sakura fell silent. She didn't know what to say to that. She was a shinobi. They lived their lives to protect their village. If that meant killing well then... but it didn't always come to that. In fact, they tried to avoid it. "I talked to your sensei and he helped me see that I was being foolish." Sakura's brows shot upwards. Kakashi-sensei talked to Clark about their world? She could have sworn that he didn't like Clark and would never give him information about Konoha. "If I hurt you Sakura, I'm sorry for that. I never meant to-" Clark cleared his throat. "I never want to make you cry, and if I have I'll try my best not to let it happen again."

Sakura looked away then, but Clark reached his hand across the table to gently turn her face back to him. "I want to be with you, Sakura. I can accept you for who you are. Can you accept me?"

It took her a few moments to realize what he had said. When she did, Sakura had to forcibly control herself so that she wouldn't launch herself across the table and into his arms. Instead a devilish smirk appeared on her visage and she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose I could think about it."

Clark gave her an exasperated look that made Sakura laugh.