The sun had set about an hour ago and Sakura had already finished cleaning up dinner with Naruto. It was a simple dinner of fish they had caught from a river nearby and rice that they had brought. The day was very uneventful. They had a full day of walking and were going to leave at dawn tomorrow and most likely arrive at the client's house after two hours or so of walking. Sakura really did not care about tomorrow though. She was more concerned about what would happen after Naruto went to sleep.
Sakura sighed looking up from the cooking tools she had just finished cleaning. Naruto had already finished cleaning his utensils and was setting up his bed on the forest floor. She saw Kakashi out of the corner of her eye sitting on a tree branch reading his book for who knows how many times. She felt her heart beat pick up. Shit its almost time she thought to herself. She had been thinking the entire walk about what she was gonna say. But what if this talk was really just Kakashi telling her to stop. That he wasn't interested. Telling her lies like he loves someone else to spare her feelings. Sakura could not take this.
She packed away her tools and went over to set up her bed. Stretching up her arms letting out a light moan as she stretched out her achy muscles. Walking all day was not as fun as it sounded and the stress of tonight's impending talk was getting to her. Reaching for her bag she pulled out two sheets one she laid down on the ground and the second laid out on top of it. Standing back up she looked satisfied with her work. Kakashi came down from his perch and set up his bed in a similar fashion next to Sakura's. Naruto looked over at his two comrades.
"Whose going to take watch first?" Naruto asked yawning
"I will for the first part." Kakashi volunteered.
"I will after him. You can sleep tonight and get tomorrow night. Okay Naruto?" Sakura asked as Naruto started taking off his jacket.
"I'm good with that. Goodnight guys." He crawled into bed taking off his headband and putting it delicately in his bag. He rolled over while Sakura also took off her headband putting it in her bag as well. Taking off her shoes she jumped into her bed to wait for Naruto to fall asleep. Kakashi tended to the fire they used for dinner then hopped off into a tree somewhere. Fuck it's almost time. She thought to herself. This is it. I'm gonna get rejected. She rolled onto her back when she heard it. Naruto was lightly snoring. It didn't even take ten minute! She sat up letting her blankets fall to her hips. She laced her hands through her hair tugging at it. Bringing her knees into her chest she just sat there. What if he doesn't love me? She thought to herself. The idea brought tears to her eyes. No, there had to be something here. She wasn't just some bitch to him, she can't be.
"Sakura, you shouldn't get yourself so worked up." Kakashi whispered into her ear. His arm were brought around her waist hugging her from behind. He nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck kissing it lightly. He squeezed her snugly against his body. Like two puzzle pieces fitting together for the first time. Kakashi never wanted to see Sakura that upset. He didn't know why Sakura was so upset, but he knew he would never let her get to this point ever again. He could feel her breathing regulate again showing she had calmed down from this freak out.
"Do you want to talk?" he ask so lightly that Naruto did not even stir in his sleep.
Sakura simply nodded and started to get up as Kakashi released her from his grip. He grabbed her hand and led her into the forest away from the fire and their comrade. They continued to walk for about five minutes until Kakashi stopped turning to her. He tried to look her in the eye, but she was staring at her feet obviously still upset. Kakashi could not have this especially if they were supposed to talk. He pulled down his mask to his chin, grabbed Sakura's chin forcing it up, and pushed his lips on top of hers trying to drag her out of this slump. She instantly reacted eyes flying wide open then closing. She took a step closer to him putting her hands up his shirt to feel the toned chest beneath it.
Kakashi pushed his tongue into her mouth exploring what he hadn't touched for a couple hours which for him was too long. Sakura let out a light moan into his mouth pushing her hips into his holding him close. Kakashi gasped and withdrew his tongue. Taking this opportunity Sakura kissed him taking his bottom lip her mouth biting on it lightly then sucking on it. Kakashi's hands ran down to his student's butt cupping each side of it lifting her off the ground. She complied wrapping her legs around his waist holding onto his body tightly as she finally released his lip continuing the kissing. He pushed her up against a tree and Kakashi took this opportunity to push their rapidly raising and falling chests next to each other. He breaks away from the the kissing to trail kisses down her chin to her neck where he pulled down the new raised collar so he could pick up where he left off earlier that day.
"Kakashi..." Sakura whined rolling her head back against the bark on the tree. She pushed him back so she could look his in the eye putting her head straight again.
"We need to talk about this." she said with a strain in her voice.
"Okay," he lowered her from the tree so she was standing still slightly pushed against the tree, "I'm sorry let's talk."
"What is this?" She said point to him then back at herself.
"What do you want this to be?" he asked demanded his face looming over her's. It was amazing seeing his face without the mask. He was more beautiful that she could have imagined, but he wanted an answer it showed in the strain in his face. Sakura closed her eyes took a deep breath and knew what she needed to say. Even is he rejected her she needed to get it off her chest.
"When I look at you my chest aches because I want to be with you so much. When I was young I was always watching you Kakashi and you were always there to protect me. Always there for me. I wanted to be at your level and that's why I worked so hard. I saw Naruto advance so quickly along with Sasuke and you all left me behind. I was alone Kakashi and becoming Lady Tsunade's apprentice got your attention again because I began to stand among you guys again. I only wanted you to see me. More than that little bitch girl that you had to protect all the time. I wanted us to be here for each other. I want you to look at me and be here for me everyday. Then I want you to look at me like you need me too. I don't want to be watching you move forward. I want to hold your hand and walk along with you forever. I don't want you ever to leave me behind now that you actually see me. I worked so hard to be with you. To climb my way to your level. I love you Kakashi and I'm terrified that you don't feel the same. That you are going to keep walking and all I will see is the back of the person I love."
When Sakura finished her rant she had tears running down her face. She calmed down a little looking for something to show in her sensei's face. He look stunned, but a smile was soon placed on his face. He leaned his forehead against hers closing his eyes.
"I will never leave you behind again. I never meant to leave you behind to begin with Sakura. I love you so much. Honestly I felt as though you would never see me like this. I had hoped when I saw you become a fine woman and ninja that you would look at me. I honestly never thought I would get this lucky to have Sakura Haruno. Everyone I have ever loved has left me tragically because I wasn't strong enough. I have never been strong enough to to protect anyone I love, but for you I will try to as strong as I can be. I will never let you leave my side. I love you Sakura and will always feel the same way about you." he said feeling like things in his life were finally okay. He could finally forgive himself by dedicating his life to this one girl. The girl he loved. He would protect her for all the other times he could not protect those around him. She would set his world right.
"I've never been more happy Kakashi." she said lightly kissing him on his lips just to show the love she felt from him. Sakura looked serious again, "Do we tell people?" she made a worried faced."What would my parents say? You are a little older than me? Scratch that a lot older than me..."
"We will deal with that when it comes up." Kakashi shrugged. "When people start asking questions we will tell them straight up, but until then we will keep it not a secret, but not super open about it."
Sakura squinted her eyes thinking about that, "I think that will work. We just have to wait to be open about it until I get a little older and you a little younger." she said laughing to herself.
"It's not like I'm a grandpa Sakura." Kakashi started grinning, "But you can call me daddy if you want though." He started kissing her neck as they both laughed.
"Damn old and a pervert. I've got great taste in men." she said putting both her hand on each of his cheeks kissing him sweetly. "I love you so much."
Kakashi kissed her again, "I love you too my beautiful Sakura."
"Come here," she said leaning into him kissing him sweetly over and over again.
She began moving down his neck when there was a loud noise coming from a bush. Turning around Kakashi pushed up his mask pulling out a knife ready to protect Sakura at any cost. She was right beside him though ready to protect him too. Out stumbles a half asleep Naruto going to a tree pulling down his pants to pee. Slowly Kakashi and Sakura backed away running back to the campsite.
"Get some rest please. I'll make Naruto do guard duty. I love you." He kissed her on the nose and disappeared.
Sakura being exhausted turned around and fell down onto her two blankets with a smile. He loved her just as much as she loved him. Slowly she fell asleep remembering the way Kakashi looked without a mask and what the future held. Happiness.