After Mission Shock

Questions, Answers and rather Loud Discussions

Arriving back at his apartment, Kakashi enters through his bedroom window silently as a night wind. Hinata and Ino are sitting on either side of Sakura, while Naruto is at the bedroom door. All quietly talking, they quiet down when Kakashi arrives. He can see that all of the younger ninja’s are frowning.

“Well, what is it I missed?” Kakashi asked in his normal tone. Looking towards him as one, the girls break first. It is Naruto who speaks.

“We have been discussing what happened since you left, and have a theory or two that might help us with Sakura. However, Ino mentioned something.” Naruto looks towards the Blond girl.

“When I went to get a week worth of clothing for Sakura, I noticed that Sakura’s home had been ransacked.” Ino says softly. “I am not sure who did it. However, it had to be Ninja who did it… they took stuff of hers. All her underwear and bra’s are gone.” Hinata says at a whisper. Kakashi looks at the three and shakes his head, ‘It must have been a male,’ Kakashi and Naruto’s inner selves rages. On the outside Kakashi nods.

He ushers them out of the bedroom, closing and locking the window, though leaving the door open. Motioning the three to sit on the couch… Kakashi starts asking questions. The answers are slow in coming, though the theories are well founded. It isn’t until a few hours later that all is said and done. And most of the theories are thrown out.

“So, let me get this straight. About a week after I left for my mission. Sasuke started taking interest in Sakura. Then for the next 2 weeks everything seemed to be going ok. It was when you three went to Sakura’s house now *looking at the clock* four days ago, you found the note and saved our friend from death.” Kakashi asks while pacing back and forth in front of them, while reading the latest Icha Icha Paradise. Naruto speaks up. “Yes, Kakashi-sensei, though we do know that 5days before the note, that Sakura and Sasuke had a date. That’s all we know for sure.”

Stopping in his tracks, Kakashi suddenly notices with a frown that the one time member of Team 7 is not here. Though, Sasuke has become ANBU he still visits when he has the time. He looks up at Naruto. “Where is Sasuke now?”

Naruto shrugs and looks at the girls. “Last I knew,” Ino says, “is he left for a mission not two days ago.” Nodding and frowning the inner Kakashi starts going nuts, ‘Could our on Sasuke be the one hurt our Cherry Blossom?’

All though the night, the small team takes turns keeping watch over their friend. All wondering if there was anything that they could have done to prevent what has happened. Its morning when there are sounds from the other room of stress. Kakashi, waking with a start uses his lightening speed to enter the room to calm ‘his’ Cherry Blossom down.

“Easy Sakura, easy… you are among friends.” Kakashi speaks softly and lets his fingers run though her soft as silk hair. The other three ninja’s seem to watch in silence. As their little cherry blossom calmed down at the older mans touch.

Sakura opens her eyes, puffy form silent tears, looking around. “Where am I? Why am I not dead?” Sakura asks with parched lips.

Kakashi groans inwardly, while sighing quietly. “You are at my apartment. The Hokage thought it would be better if you had some friends around. Also, you are now under the protection of Naruto, Ino, Hinata and my self. At least until we catch who would say such mean things to you.”

Sakura seems to gasp, and her stomach rumbles making most of them laugh. Hinata goes and gets some soft foods for her friend. While the others with in the room found seats. Kakashi moves to hold and comfort ‘his’ cherry blossom, for as much as she would let him, and is surprised as she cuddles into him resting her head on his chest. Kakashi sighs and has a soft smile beneath his mask. It isn’t until Hinata comes back with food, does Sakura release him. Looking at the food, Sakura begins to cry softly.

Her body shakes from the shudders running through it. While Kakashi rubs her back. “Sakura, tell us what happened earlier this week. We need to know to be able to help you.” Kakashi says using his soft voice. Swallowing hard on the food, Sakura stares down at the bowl in her hands.

Shaking her head, Sakura bites down on her lip. She cuddles into Kakashi’s chest, letting her tears moisten his shirt/chest. All the while her heart fights with her mind to tell the truth.

‘Tell them, Kakashi-sensei will protect you, as will the rest. You know that Naruto will go ballistic on the one who did this.’ Sakura’s heart cries out. While her head, ‘No, they would kill the last of the Uchiha …I can not allow that to happen. If Sasuke finds out that I talked he will kill my friends. I must escape. I can not put my dearest friends and tea…’ Sakura looks up at Kakashi, blushing lightly over her cheeks. ‘I can not let Sasuke hurt Kakashi; I love him to much, or my family.’ Looking around the room Sakura shakes her head.

“No…It is my cross to bear.”