Series: Sensei

A Call For Help

"So let me get this straight. You're not opposed to us getting married."

"Why would I be?"

Sakura gave him an exasperated look. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I don't love you."

"You love me."

Sakura sneered before shoving another piece of meat in her mouth. "You know what I mean."

"Do I?" Sasuke stared at her and Sakura found herself amazed at how much emotion she saw in Sasuke's eyes. It confused her. Sasuke and emotion? It was a contradiction of epic proportions especially when it had something to do with an actual relationship. "Things didn't work out between you and Kiba. Nor did they work out with you and Kakashi. Maybe this is destiny's way of telling you that you belong with me."

"You don't believe in destiny."

"I don't?"

Sakura slammed her hands on the table, causing it to tremble violently. "Stop that! Give me a straight answer Sasuke. You know I hate that!"

"I love you."

"The fuck? What?"

"That's your straight answer. Do with it what you will."

Sakura was too stunned to move, and Sasuke continued to eat as if he hadn't just dropped one of Deidara's clay bombs on her head.

Sakura didn't say another word to Sasuke during their dinner. She couldn't. The cat had effectively stolen her tongue. She was certain her day couldn't get any worse. It should have been a good thing that Sasuke wanted to marry her. It would make everything so much easier. She could let Kiba down and tell him things weren't going to work out. She could stop Fugaku from ruining Hinata's wedding. And she could move on from Kakashi.

And yet she knew there was some secret part of her that hoped that there would be some other way out of all this. Sakura felt her head start to throb as she made her way home. When she finally made it there and went to her bedroom it was only to find Kiba hadn't left. He was asleep in her bed. She couldn't even smile at how adorable he looked as her heart was so heavy, but seeing Kiba did bring to mind his suggestion. Sakura grabbed a bit of stationary and sat on her bed. Her weight on the bed caused Kiba to shift and crack open his eyes.

"What're you doing?"

"Writing that letter."

"Mmm. Still wearing leather."

Sakura snorted, but sneaked a peek at his pants. "Just get undressed and go to bed."

"You're letting me stay?"

Sakura nodded and Kiba rose to his feet and pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor causing Sakura to frown. "Kiba…"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm picking it up."

When he had stripped down to his underwear he slipped into bed with her and scooted closer her burying his nose into her thigh. Sakura rolled her eyes, ran her fingers briefly through his hair before getting down to business.

Dear Ino,

I suppose I should start off by telling you that all is well. Did you meet Itachi? Did he deliver our messages?

Tenten and I are fine. So don't worry about us.

Ino, I can't even think of small talk to fill this letter with. I have to tell you what I did. I don't want you to find this out from anyone else. I talked to Kurenai on your behalf.

She told me why she broke up with Asuma. Ino I promised her that I would keep this between the two of us so you can't tell Temari, Ten, or Hina. You know how word gets around about us. I can't make you swear in person and I couldn't wait until you came home because who knows when that will be?

Have you met any Suna cuties?

I can guess what you're thinking and I'll spit it out. They broke up because of you.

She says that Asuma is in love with you.

While they were together whenever the opportunity arose to speak about you he did so. Yes, he spoke of Shikamaru and Chouji as well, but she said there was something about the way he said your name that changed.

She said it was the way he used to say her name. She told me other things that essentially added up to him falling for you and not realizing it. Actually, Ino I think he does know it and that's why he took up alcohol to escape his feelings since he couldn't love the one he wanted and he couldn't love the one he was with.

The night the two of you made love I know he called out Kurenai's name. Temari told me (but just me) so don't be angry at her. I think he did that so that you wouldn't feel guilty about sleeping with him. He wanted you to be able to walk away.

But you stayed, Pig. He couldn't pretend it never happened and neither could you. That night made him face reality. He loves you.

Why he didn't hold onto you is anyone's guess. Maybe he's still trying to deny it. Maybe he's just pushing you away. I really don't know. I don't have a clue when it comes to men.

I know this probably isn't a good time to tell you this because you're there in Suna to get over it and let it go, but I felt like, as your friend, you should know. Do with it what you will.

:::

Sakura frowned, remembering that was exactly what Sasuke had said to her. She hadn't liked it.

:::

If you're happy I'm happy.

But Ino that isn't all I'm writing to you about.

Pig, I'm in trouble.

I don't know how this mess started, but I guess I'll just start from the beginning. I'm in love with my sensei and…my sensei is in love with me. The only problem is that the sensei I love and the one who loves me are two different people. Ino, Iruka is in love with me and we went on a date together and I wasn't even aware of it.

I don't know when his feelings started. All I know is that I considered him to be a friend and now I can't talk to him in fear of hurting him. But I know I have to because I owe him that much don't I? I don't want to ruin my relationship with him like I did with Hana. And speaking of Hana…

I'm sleeping with Kiba…or at the least I did once. He wants to make it a regular thing and the fact is Kiba is so good in bed that I do too. How twisted is that? But it's more than just sex with Kiba. He gets me. It drives me crazy sometimes that he knows me so well and doesn't fight me, but instead works with the knowledge he has to make us work. He still can make my heart skip a beat, but what does that mean?

But that's not the end of it. Fugaku, the asshole, is blackmailing me into marrying one of his sons. I won't tell you the gory details via letter just know that it's bad. Ino its really bad as in I-am-in-deep-shit bad.

Sasuke is in love with me. He told me so in his assholeish way and it's possible that Itachi is too. I don't know for certain. I do know that Sasuke isn't opposed to us just marrying each other.

And to top it all off I'm pretty sure Kakashi loves me too. He just won't give me a chance. I've let him go because I'm starting to think it's better that way, but it hurts so badly.

I hate to ask you this, but is there any way possible you can come home? We need to have a powwow because I can't do this on my own. It's just too much.

Sakura

Sakura folded the letter in half then called for one of her summons and therefore sending the letter to Ino via slug. It was really going to piss her off doing it that way, but Sakura had no regrets. Thereafter, she let out a sigh and a yawn causing Kiba to stir once more.

"Finished?"

"Yeah."

"Feeling better?"

"A little." Sakura admitted and Kiba dragged her down into his arms, but she went willingly.

"I know you don't want to tell me what's going on, but if you want to cry I'm here."

At his offer Sakura felt tears well in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. Instead, she snuggled close in his arms and silently thanked him for just being him.

She had no trouble going to sleep.

The sun rose and Kiba's eyes opened to see Sakura asleep snuggled in his arms—exactly where she should be if you asked him. He reached out and ran his fingers lightly through her hair trying to decide whether or not to be there when she awakened. She slept like the dead sometimes and other times she awakened to the slightest noise. Usually, it depended on how safe she felt at the moment. He used to take pride in the fact that he could slip out of bed and wander her apartment and get back in without her batting an eyelash.

He liked that he made her feel safe. It meant so many things. A part of him wanted to test it to see if things had changed, but the more sane part of himself withheld since he may not like the answer.

"Sakura, wake up." He shook her gently and she groaned in response. "I have to go." Her eyes remained closed, but her bottom lip protruded in a pout. It was his turn to groan before he leaned down and nipped at her lip. Her eyes popped open in surprise causing him to chuckle at her.

He made a move to slip out of the bed, but she wrapped her body around him and weighed him down like an anchor. Kiba sighed, knowing what was coming next.

"Don't go yet, please."

The 'don't go' told him that she was spoiled. The 'please' told him that she wasn't just being a brat. She really wanted him to stay. She was making things complicated and probably didn't even know it. But then again, that was Sakura. Admittedly, he hadn't helped things by coming over in the first place. He definitely didn't help things when he didn't leave when given the opportunity.

"Are you making breakfast?" Kiba inquired and he watched as Sakura's bottom lip began to protrude once more. Kiba pinched said lip. "You wasted a perfectly good pair of leather pants last night. I should at least get breakfast."

She laughed and rolled out of bed, heading to the kitchen. As he followed after her, he was glad she saw his point.

When he finally left Sakura's apartment it was only to run into Kakashi Hatake. Every bit of pleasure that had filled him drained away swiftly when the two of them locked eyes. He closed the door swiftly behind him before Sakura wandered over and wondered why he hadn't closed the door. It was also in an effort to keep the two of them apart for as long as possible.

Kiba forced himself to walk away even though instinct told him to stay and fight to protect his territory. He had made it all of three steps when Kakashi said, "I'm here for you."

He'd never admit it aloud, but those words relieved him. He felt his shoulders sag slightly before he finally composed himself. Kiba nodded and kept walking aware that Kakashi was behind him the whole time. Eventually, Kakashi took the lead and when he stopped walking they were joined by other familiar faces.

It was then that Kiba started wondering what the fuck was going on, although when Kakashi said, "I don't care how fond the author is about the idea. This isn't going to be a reverse harem. We all love her, but only one of us can have her," he knew exactly what it was all about.

His little trouble maker.

To be continued in the Series Finale. Hinata's Story…