What the New Year Brings

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Chapter 15-The First Time Kakashi Makes A Stand

People keep talking
They can say what they like...

No one can get in the way of what I feel for you...

~*~*~*~

"What the hell is your problem?! Where do you get off questioning my decisions like that in front of everybody?! I don't care if you are Konoha's famous Copy Nin, I'm freakin' Hokage for God's sake!"

"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama. It won't happen again."

"It better not! And what is your problem with Yamato anyway?! Seriously, Kakashi, if looks could kill..."

"I'm just trying to keep what's mine, mine."

"Keep what's yours, yours...And that's another thing! What do you think you're doing with my apprentice?! I should hang you by your pinkies for so much as thinking about her in that way you goddamn pervert!"

"We're dating."

"You're what?! Since when?!"

"Since yesterday."

"But you didn't even ask for my permission!"

"Didn't think I had to. Sakura's a grown woman."

"She's my apprentice, Kakashi! Her business is my business because this entire village, country, whatever, makes my business theirs. Everything reflects back onto me and not only that, I care for Sakura. I see myself in her. It's the main reason I took her on as my apprentice in the first place! So God help me, if you so much as hurt her..."

"I have no intention of doing that."

"We all have the best of intentions when we first enter into a relationship, Kakashi, but once we're further into it..."

"You seem to have confidence that our relationship will last then." Kakashi says with a sly smirk under his mask.

"I didn't...I wasn't implying...I'll punch you all the way to Suna if you break her heart, you hear me Hatake!"

"If I break her heart, I'll exile myself to Suna. I'm more worried about her breaking my heart."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm an old bachelor, Tsunade-sama. Old bachelors don't suddenly start pursuing a woman unless they're serious."

"You're serious about her then? Like 'I want to marry her and start banging out kids with her'?"

"Like I said...I'm more worried about Sakura breaking my heart. I'm in this for keeps, but she's still young. I can't be so sure she feels the same way."

"I do." I whisper softly on the other side of Tsunade's office door, my ear still pressed hard against its smooth surface as I eavesdrop.

"Kakashi, you do realize people are going to talk."

"Let 'em. I'm not in this relationship for their sakes."

"As cavalier as that sounds..."

"They can't pull the whole 'But she's your student' card. She's your student now. You've had her for far longer than I ever had. And as for the difference in our ages, she's in her 20's and I'm in my 30's. Our ages aren't that far off."

"She's barely in her 20's and you're nearing your 40's, how is that not that far off?!"

"All I'm saying is that we get along far better than most couples who are the same age. I'm not immature and impatient like the other young men she's dated and she's not salacious and empty-headed like most women I've dated. I honestly believe we're a good match for each other. We're already friends, know each other pretty damn well, and I'm also pretty damned sure I'm falling hard for her. I've waited 36 long years for a woman like her to come into my life and I'm not letting you, the village, the country, or the entire world itself get in the way of my being with her. My whole life has consisted of loss and heartache. Being with Sakura has given me the chance to experience how the other half lives...happy and complete. So help me, I've fought and risked my life for things less important. I will fight for this!"

Dead silence. Then...

"You're arrogant and stupid, Kakashi."

"Fuck you!"

"What do you know? You may have a chance yet." Even through the door, I can hear the smile in Shishou's voice. "But I'm warning you, you better keep your head on straight! I don't want any foul ups on this mission or any others just because you can't stop ogling your former student! And I don't want to hear about how you abused your authority as captain just because you're a jealous boyfriend! And on a completely different subject, I don't want to hear about any accidents."

"What are you-Oh, God, no! We're nowhere near that stage yet!"

"I hope not, but I can't be so sure with those books you're always reading and the kind of thoughts they put in that hentai head of yours!"

"When that time comes, I promise we'll be careful."

"You better be! Now get out of my sight! I'm sure Sakura can't wait to see you, can you Sakura?!"

"Uh, yes Shishou!" I yell back through the door. Shit!

"You're dismissed, Kakashi!"

The door swings open and I'm suddenly face to face with him.

"So, you feel the same way do you?" Kakashi smirks under his mask, his eye sparkling down at me.

"How did you-"

"My sense of smell is better than Kiba's, but so is my sense of hearing. Now c'mon, we've got a long journey ahead of us and a lot of packing to do." Kakashi says as he glides his hand down my arm to take my hand into his, lacing his fingers through mine.

I can't help but smile and lean my head against his shoulder as we walk out of the Administration Building and into the sun.

...There's just something about a man who stands up for your honor.

To be continued...