Two years later

"Only you can complete this mission. Do you understand what this responsibility is?"

"Hai."

"If you fail, or worse, change your mind..."

"I won't let you down."

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

A devilish smile curved Sakura's lips, the same was on Tsunade's face.

"Hell yeah!"

~ * ~

Two years earlier

"Please, Kakashi, don't leave team seven because of me," she asked in a low voice as they moved away from Naruto and Sasuke at enough distance that they couldn't hear them.

They were now walking the stone road leading towards the Hokage Mountain, passing Hatake's house on the way, and in the background they could hear Naruto's screams, who argued about something with Sasuke as usual. Sakura, on the other hand, enjoyed the company of a man by her side, who in turn was a true anchor of peace and patience.

"Sakura, my decision to quit the team has nothing to do with you," Hatake replied after a moment and looked at her figure dressed in his spare jōnin uniform set, she looked hilarious in it — everything was too big and too loose for her, and then Kakashi shifted his gaze back to the path in front of them.

"But I was the one who had an influence on it... I never questioned the Hokage's orders, and now... I feel bad about having my part in it and..."

Kakashi stopped and put his hand on her shoulder, so Sakura fell silent and looked at her former teacher.

"I'm not angry with you."

"But by resigning from our team, you punish not only me, but also Naruto. Sasuke probably doesn't care anyway," she replied, staring into mismatched eyes, one dark and always warm, and the other blood-red, promising inexpressible torture.

"I'll see what I can do about it if the Hokage apologizes properly," Hatake said after a moment.

Sakura looked down at the ground.

"She went overboard with it totally, she shouldn't be playing with someone else's feelings, if only I knew what was behind it all..." she replied and almost felt her companion smile.

"She got you involved in her games, but I understand why you followed her instructions. After all, no one would dare to oppose her, only me," he said nonchalantly.

Sakura started to play with her hands as she didn't know what to answer to him. She understood her mistake perfectly well, but it seemed that Kakashi didn't blame her...

Too good...

He was just too good for all of this...

And that's what made Sakura feel mean, she would never intentionally want to hurt him.

She bit her lower lip and looked over her shoulder at Naruto and Sasuke, standing in the distance and watching them. Sasuke at least gave the appearance of accidental eye contact, but Naruto was staring directly at her.

"I feel so stupid... I never questioned her orders because they were always prudent, but now..."

Kakashi followed her gaze and narrowed his eyes in his typical smile.

"Come on, Sakura."

Sakura was trembling inside. She couldn't handle his decision.

"You still want to leave, right?"

No reaction.

"Why?" The question was only a whisper, and it hung heavily between them.

Kakashi sighed in resignation, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his pants.

"What was between us will get in our way more than once," he replied after reflection. "It won't be possible to complete the mission properly. And although the very thought of sending you out in the field without me makes me want to tear my hair out, I know that this way we'll be able to think logically."

Sakura saddened looking down at his feet as her own high heels had disappeared under the pantleg of his pants.

"So it's my fault," she replied, unwanted tears pressing into her eyes.

Kakashi put his hand on her shoulder in a soothing manner.

"I just give our team a better chance of properly completing the mission."

Sakura shook her head.

"It won't be the same without you..."

Sakura cried out, unable to control the storm raging inside her, and Kakashi did the only thing he could in the current situation — he hugged her to him and let her hide her face in his chest. While he stroked soothingly her back.

~ * ~

Two years later

Sakura watched from her position as Tsunade walked over to the railing in her Hokage's coat and hat. The young kunoichi's heart fluttered as she followed her gaze to Kakashi by her side. The bouquet of red roses she was holding was threatening to slip out because of her general nervousness.

"It's your big day, Kakashi," she whispered, and he replied with his typical smile, the only sign of which was his narrowed eyes, as the rest of his expression was obscured by that nasty mask.

Tsunade raised her hand to silence the crowd below. Out of all the screams, Sakura could distinguish the scream of her blonde-haired friend, who rejoiced most of them all, and who for the last few weeks after hearing the news had repeatedly repeated how great honour had kicked Kakashi.

Though Hatake wasn't very happy about this decision, the moment he heard Tsunade's sincere apology two years ago and she presented him with her decision in honour of her apology, Kakashi couldn't refuse. For he knew that he had received the highest honour and didn't intend to protest. Especially since the Fifth gave him a lot of time to think about it before he finally got used to her decision.

Despite Tsunade's apology, Kakashi left the team after the events. He justified his decision with how easily he let himself be carried away by his own emotions, when Sakura was in danger. He saw it after the last mission of team seven, and after what brought them together, he was well aware that he wouldn't be able to control the desire to protect Sakura at all costs. Even at the cost of the success of their mission. Therefore, it was really the last mission of team seven, as soon afterwards Tsunade disbanded the team. Naruto was shocked, but Kakashi promised that he would always be able to invite him for ramen at Ichiraku. Sakura, on the other hand, participated in missions with Naruto and Sasuke for a few more weeks, when he had already won the title of chūnin, but she couldn't cope with the emptiness she felt when Kakashi wasn't with them. Naruto and Sasuke were arguing or talking all the time, and she was lagging behind, hopefully looking back to see a familiar figure reading his beloved books. Seeing the dynamics of Naruto and Sasuke, Sakura knew she would never be able to stand between them or make them see her, because Hatake always noticed her. Therefore, motivated by her longing for him, she decided to join the ANBU. Especially when she was able to activate the byakugō seal for the first time. Sakura was appreciated and Tsunade admitted that it's perfect for her special line-up. This is how Sakura ended up in the team led by Yūgao. When she announced this to Kakashi, Kakashi almost breathed a sigh of relief and informed Sakura that Uzuki was one of the better ANBU members, which made her feel proud that she had joined the best trained squad. And it was without any help, especially without Naruto and Sasuke, who stayed in their usual shinobi positions.

As for Naruto, the boy swore he was straight and had been dating Hinata in the last two years, but Sakura had often seen him secretly sneaking out of Sasuke and had found them in a rather unfriendly situation more than once. Either they were entwined in a passionate embrace or kissing around the corner so that no one could see. While Naruto's clone was hitting on Hinata. It was true that Sakura didn't approve of it, but she didn't really want to get involved in it all. Especially considering her own situation...

Kakashi and Sakura were a couple. However, not so typical, as they kept their relationship a secret due to the large age gap between them. Sakura's friends didn't know about it, except for Sasuke and Shikamaru who guessed, while Kakashi's friends, who were few, did. It was hard to hide that wide smile Kakashi bestowed on Sakura every time he saw her, even despite the mask on his face. Genma was the first to guess, who shared his insights with Kotetsu and Izumo during one of their drunken evenings. Among Kakashi's friends, only Gai didn't know about anything, because Hatake asked the rest of them for discretion as he was trying to respect Sakura's decision. Anko used to throw dirty jokes at Kakashi and Sakura from time to time, but she had this way of being, so Kakashi was able to turn a blind eye to it, because she never publicly announced their relationship.

And although Kakashi and Sakura didn't usually show up together in public places, and if they did, they usually didn't show affection for each other, over time more and more people began to pay attention to the two of them. Ino even joked once that Sakura should look for a younger company, because with Kakashi she looks like a child. And actually it was Yamanaka's fault that Sakura was standing here right now. If this Pig hadn't called Kakashi 'old freak', Sakura would never have made Tsunade give her another lonely mission.

Her hands tightened on the bouquet as Tsunade began her speech.

"We are here to see the nomination of another Hokage. I chose him from among many because he has distinguished himself for his dedication to the Village and also because he is the best of the best. After all, he graduated from the Academy very quickly. He's a brilliant strategist and a great shinobi, so I think he'll be perfect for the role of the Sixth Hokage."

Sakura gave Kakashi a disgruntled look.

"Don't you dare take the book out!" she hissed softly, to which her companion replied with an innocent smile, obediently pulling his hands out of the pockets of his pants.

It amused him completely that Sakura could see even such a small detail as the skimming of his hands in his pockets.

Tsunade continued; "I won't go into details, but I think it's time for me." Here she looked angrily at Naruto. "Some people were able to tell me straight in the face that I was too old for the position of Hokage, but let no one think that I cannot punch accurately due to my age. Maybe I'm oldie but goodie!" Tsunade clenched her hand into a fist, and Naruto shivered knowing exactly which conversation the woman was referring to. "That's why, I am giving the Hokage position to Hatake Kakashi."

That was the moment.

Kakashi walked unhurriedly to the railing.

Sakura followed him, but only to get closer.

Kakashi stopped in front of Tsunade and bowed his head slightly as she removed the Hokage cloak which she had put on Kakashi's shoulders. Then she took off her hat, which was also handed to Kakashi.

Hatake straightened up, straightening his hat, then turned to the railing and bowed his head slightly to the crowd who began to cheer.

"CONGRATULATIONS, KAKASHI-SENSEI, DATTEBAYO!!!"

It was then that Sakura approached with a bouquet of roses, which she handed to Kakashi, then stood on her tiptoes and placed a tender kiss on his masked cheek.

In a split second, Hatake turned again to face the crowd, and Sakura took advantage of it. It was then that she reached for his mask, but before she could even brush its cloth, Kakashi grabbed her wrist, dropping the bouquet of roses to the ground.

A smug smile danced on his lips as he sent Sakura his darkening gaze.

"I knew you were up to something," he muttered.

Sakura's cheeks blushed.

"I... it's not like that, Kakashi... it's all Ino's fault!" she blurted out, but he seemed not to listening to her, he pulled her to him, not releasing even for a moment from the tight grip, because he knew exactly that Sakura still could take the opportunity to bare his face in public.

Somewhere in the back, Tsunade laughed.

Hatake pinned Sakura to the railing with his hips, staring at her with his darkened eyes.

Sakura swallowed loudly, noticing the intensity with which he was staring at her before leaning down to her ear to say in his low tone of voice, "For your sneaky games, I will have to punish you, Haruno". He bit her ear lobe lightly, and she whined as she felt his erection against her abdomen. "After all, as one of the ANBU member you're under my authority, and today... you acted against your Hokage."

Sakura bit her lower lip as Kakashi cornered her. He clamped his hands on the railing on the sides of her hips.

"Forgive me, Hokage-sama," she whispered.

"Perhaps I will forgive you, but not until tonight."

"Why waiting until evening?" Sakura replied obstreperously, what caused pure desire being visible on Kakashi's face.

"Here and now?"

Sakura blushed fiery.

"No!" she squeaked in panic. "Everyone will see us!"

Kakashi chuckled further in that low tone of his voice.

"You wanted to reveal my biggest secret a moment earlier."

"But it's not like that, Kakashi... I..."

Hatake leaned her back and she wrapped her arms around his neck, knowing he would never let her fall.

"Then you will come with me now. You just received a mission from the Sixth Hokage, Sakura-chan," he murmured into the hollow of her neck.

"What am I supposed to do?"

Kakashi smiled slyly.

"Seduce me."

Sakura's lips stretched in a triumphant smile.

"You're already mine, Hokage-sama."