Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. All rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 1

The silence of the lush forest was disrupted by a shinobi running for his life as he ran for the safety of his village as his pursuers tried to close in on him. He knew the forest like the back of his hand, so they didn't stand a chance of catching him. The shinobi was raised here, taught to use its secrets as a cloak of defense, when it was needed. As a child, his father and sensei spent hours teaching him all of its secrets. Today, he would use his wisdom to eliminate the enemy that was trying to eradicate him. Lucky for him, he was an elite and used his speed to set the trap needed to fulfill his goal. His pursuers blindly rushed into his trap as he destroyed them, thus releasing him from the danger that they had posed to his wellbeing.

His breathing was labored due to the damage he suffered from them prior to reaching the forest. Quickly assessing his situation, he made a mad dash towards the nearby temple so he could get the medical attention he so badly needed. If he were an average shinobi, his life would have been claimed long ago. He morosely chuckled to himself as he thought about his adversaries. They wouldn't have been tracking him if he was just any shinobi. His name was well known in all of the bingo books. With notoriety comes peril, even when he was away from home completing the simplest of tasks. His training took over as he sped towards the temple. Not aware of his surroundings anymore, his body knew what it needed to do to survive. Making his way through the gates, he was unconscious from the loss of blood and the injuries he had suffered. This was not the first time that the monks had come to his rescue and it probably would not be his last. As he collapsed, two of the monks were instantly by his side to catch him before he crumpled to the ground. Gingerly, they carried him to the infirmary so they could treat his many wounds.

The abbot made his way to the infirmary. He was summoned after the infamous ninja was ushered into the temple. The shinobi was well known by him, as well as all the monks. They had taken excellent care of their protector since the day the shinobi risked his life to save them all from an enemy's brutal attack. The silver-haired man was held in great esteem by the brethren. It was the least they could do for the elite ninja. The abbot had also helped mentor the shinobi long ago when they were teens and had become fast friends, even though the way they lived their lives was vastly different.

"Masao-sama," the young monk bowed to his superior, "Hatake-san has made his way back to us again. I fear that his injuries are too severe for us to adequately heal."

Masao nodded as he made his way to Kakashi's bedside. The man on the cot was stable, but still had many unhealed wounds that needed attention before they festered. As he surveyed the damage that was inflicted on his friend, he detected a slow-acting poison surging through his veins. He quickly pulled out a scroll and quickly penned a message.

"Hiro, Kazuo," he said softly, "take this message quickly to the Hokage."

Both men bowed and disappeared out of sight. The abbot adjusted the Copy Nin's position so he could breathe easier as they waited for a medic with the poison expertise to come back with the two monks he had just sent out. He hoped that they would return soon in order to minimize the damage done by the poison. Sitting next to the sick man's bed, he began to gather his chakra so he could slow the injury as they waited. Whispering in Kakashi's ear, he told the silver-haired ninja the jutsu he was going to use and that he was in good hands. A blue glow settled over Kakashi as the abbot slowly infused his chakra into his body. Masao watched his friend relax as the jutsu slowed his bodily functions. Concentrating his chakra, he began his vigil as they awaited the medic from Konoha to come.

Kakashi wasn't totally conscious when he made his way through the gates of the temple. He knew he was finally safe and that he would be helped. His body was starting to fail from the poison that his enemy had instilled into him during the battle. Knowing that he had to slow his body functions so the damage from the poison could be minimized, Kakashi instinctively let himself relax knowing that he would be protected in the confines of the temple. He felt two strong arms catch him as he fell into the safety of the darkness.

The next thing Kakashi was aware of was his friend's voice telling him that he was going to take care of him. Masao always had a way of calming the high strung ninja by just the sound of his voice. Kakashi could feel his body floating peacefully as the familiar chakra surged through his body. Both of them had spent a long time together when Kakashi was a youth. Masao had helped him through one of the darkest times of his life. His friend was saving him again. Knowing that he was in good hands now, he gave himself into his friend's jutsu and slipped into the darkness, happy to know that at least for now, the terror of his nightmares would not plague him.

Masao surveyed the damage that was inflicted on Kakashi's body. It was amazing that his friend had survived. Shaking his head, he sat back into the chair and thought of path his longtime friend had taken. Each had their calling, each was a master in their own rights. Masao hoped that Kakashi wasn't punishing himself again for things that had happened in the past, but he knew that his friend was stubborn and never fully forgave himself for past deeds that were out of his control. It had been a long time since they had seen each other last. Once Kakashi was fully healed, Masao would make it a point to find out what was going on in his life. Kakashi was like a brother to him and he would make sure that Kakashi didn't resort back to this unremitting way.

Hours had passed before the medic and her assistant arrived. The monks ushered them both quickly into the infirmary where their patient was waiting for them. Masao stood to greet them and was impressed that the Hokage had sent her own apprentice to treat the injured man. Kakashi had told him about her prowess as a medic and jounin the last time they had met. The pink haired woman was an ex-student of Kakashi's and he had told his friend how impressed he was with her progress as she matured. The way the man spoke about the young woman made Masao think that there was more to Kakashi's feelings than just respect. Watching the woman as she worked, he wondered how this young woman felt about Kakashi. It was obvious that she cared deeply for the man that was now comatose on the bed. A smile came to his face as he wondered if either of them really acknowledged their true feelings towards each other. Sakura looked as guarded as his longtime friend. It was another subject he would broach with him once Kakashi had healed.

When the Hokage had summoned Sakura to her office, she never dreamed that Kakashi would be in so much trouble. She was glad she brought her assistant, Moegi, with her to help. Even though the girl was still learning, she was helpful when Sakura needed someone to aid her while she worked her healing magic. The abbot had done well in stopping the progression of the poison that had surged through Kakashi's body. There was some damage, but she had no doubt that Kakashi would recover with minimal effects. After she was done with extracting the poison that was left in his body, she would need to sit down with the monk to ask about the jutsu he had used to slow the reaction down. It would be helpful out in the field to save lives of shinobi who found themselves poisoned during a mission. Focusing on her task, she started removing the toxin from Kakashi's body. There would be time later to talk with the abbot.

Several hours went by before Sakura had finished with her task. She had no doubt that Kakashi would have been severely injured or dead if the man that was standing by his side hadn't treated him. Cold dread spread over her as she thought of losing her ex-sensei. Over the years they had become close and she didn't want to think of a world without his presence. She had come to rely on him as a cherished friend. Deep down inside, she felt so much more, but didn't want to risk losing his friendship if he didn't feel the same for her. Finally done with the procedure, she turned to her assistant to heal and bandage the areas that were still open. Sakura had depleted her chakra by all she had done for the man and didn't have the energy to treat the small wounds that were left. Moegi was more than qualified to take care of the rest.

Sakura collapsed into the chair beside the bed as she watched the girl work. She was surprised to see a pot of tea with some fruit waiting for her on the table next to the chair. Either she was more exhausted than she thought or the monks were very quiet as they moved. She thanked Kakashi's protector as she nourished her body to regain some of her strength back.

Once Moegi was done, Sakura quickly scanned Kakashi's body to make sure he was stable and that he was not in any pain before she put him to sleep. She had learned long ago to apply the sleep jutsu that her master had taught her on Kakashi to make him stay put and heal. The man was well known for his aversion of hospitals and pushing himself physically before he was fully healed. Finding all his systems stable, she formed the hand seals to make him sleep so his body could mend. She couldn't help but smile at her handy work. Sakura told the abbot that her assistant would stay by Kakashi's side as he slept to monitor his progress. The man nodded and suggested that they talk in the other room as Kakashi slept. Before she left, she couldn't help but caress Kakashi's cheek to comfort the man she cared for so much. The gesture did not go unnoticed by the abbot as he waited by the door.

Masao escorted Sakura to the adjoining room and offered her the comfortable chair near the window. He thanked Sakura for saving his longtime friend and told her the story how they met long ago. Sakura was amazed that Kakashi had been a student at the temple. He had never shared that information with her. It made sense to her now on how Kakashi could stay so calm under so much pressure. As she listened to the abbot, she made a mental note to question Kakashi about his time spent here in the temple when he recovered. Kakashi had shared some of his past with her, but she was always amazed when she found out a little more about the man. His demeanor to the world was one of arrogance and laziness, but the closer she got to him and the more she learned, she realized that he was a reserved person who didn't want the recognition in the wondrous deeds he did for others.

The conversation turned to the jutsu that the abbot had used to slow the effects of the poison. Masao offered to teach her the jutsu so others could be saved by its effects. He warned her that it was an A class jutsu and not easily learned. Sakura thanked him and begged his forgiveness on her weariness. Smiling, Masao told her that there would be time for her to learn the jutsu later and that he knew that she was fatigued from healing Kakashi. He offered her a bed in the infirmary where Kakashi was located so she could rest and regain her energy. Assured that she would not be bothering any of the monks, she thanked Masao for his kindness. She told the abbot that they may have to stay awhile before moving Kakashi due to his condition. Knowing that his friend was severely injured, he told Sakura that Kakashi's return to good health was all of their main focus at the temple, and to take as much time needed to make sure he was whole again. Masao enlightened her of Kakashi's deed of saving the temple and how the monks viewed him as their savior as he escorted her back to the infirmary.

As she listened to the tale, she realized there was much more to her friend than she imagined. Of all the people in Konoha, she knew him the best due to the closeness the two now shared. In the matter of her brief conversation with Masao, Sakura realized that there was much more to the infamous Copy Nin that he let on, even to her. Her interest was piqued. The abbot knew a lot about Kakashi and it was obvious that the two men shared a bond since Masao knew things about her and the relationship she had with Kakashi. In the coming days she would need to talk with the abbot more so she could find out more about the man she adored. The information may help her further their relationship in a way that was more than friends, in a way that she longed it would be. With a smile on her face, Sakura drifted off into slumber dreaming of the man that she longed to love, and for him to love her back.