A/N: My chirstmas gift for all KakaSaku fans out there. ( And those of NaruSasu). There will be four parts, the last one will be updated on Christmas. Hope you guys like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

The ways of chakra

Sakura sighed, her green eyes looking up from the patient file she'd been working on and now stared longing outside. It was a beautiful night outside. While a few civilians wouldn't agree to what she just said. It was mid December and unlike any other winters like she'd seen in her lifetime, this one was the first time it snowed. The rivers were frozen and hard enough to stand on without risking to break.

She longed to be out there, playing in the fresh snow, inhaling the fresh air that held the winter scents as the magical snowflakes would land on her skin. She wouldn't be alone there in the little fantasy she created in her mind and smiled as she thought of him. They hadn't spoken much since the break-up of team 7 and her transferring under the tutelage of the fifth Hokage. She couldn't even remember seen him when she finally made it to chuunin. She knew it had hurt then and felt like she didn't matter to him at all.

And when her first A-rank mission came up she was out of all jounin she could be pared up with, chosen to go with the infamous Copy nin. She didn't know how to act around him. She remembered her bowing for him when they were excused before nearly fleeing out of the office. They hadn't spoken much between their mission, and Sakura was torn that he couldn't even bring up to speak with her. And when he did talk she replied with so much formality she could see his surprise in his dark lone eye.

When they came back he hadn't stick around like she secretly hoped but in the back of her mind she knew she couldn't expect anything else from him. But the surprise came to her when she left on her first solo mission three months after the one where she was paired up with Kakashi. It was supposed to be an easy C-rank mission. Delivering a scroll to the Muzikage. But on her way there she was ambushed by a group of rogue nin. She killed four of them, before receiving the final blow that left her on the brink of death. The only memory she had before she blacked out was that they were trying to release the scroll from her tight grip and then nothing but blackness surrounding her.

The next time Sakura woke up, she wasn't in the forest like she remembered, or the heavenly gates that would lead her to the afterlife. She stared at the hospital ceiling that was so familiar to her. Her limbs were sore and every little movement she made, a jolt filled with pain went through her. She heard some soft snoring at the right side and with all the strength she could summon, she turned her head to look at the sleeping form of no other than her genin sensei. It made her gasp in surprise. But looking back it wasn't such a good thing to do. Because the moment the fresh cold air reached her dry throat it began to itch, causing her to cough like crazy.

Her distress made him wake up with a start. He held her down while placing an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth, and when the coughing had reduced so far that she could drink normally, her helped her up and drink some water. Her eyes were glazy from the upcoming tears of the pain, but still she stared at Kakashi with confusion. He seemed to notice as he slumped back in his chair, his head turning so he could pinch the bridge of his nose. Only when Sakura thought he had fell asleep again he began to speak. He talked how confused he had felt when she called him 'hatake-san' to the moment he found her on the brink of death in the woods. His distress and worry when her heart line went flat and his relief when after a few minutes it beeped back to life. She never heard him talk so much like he had done that night. And it seemed that one near-death experience was enough to shake him awake that even if two other student had left the village, she was still there. And even if he thought of leaving her would keep her safe, she was still a ninja. A person that would be at risk even if he wasn't there.

And beginning that night, they finally began the friendship that should have started way back. He momentarily lived with her while she was recovering. He began to train her in the genjutsu's technique he had copied from others, even went so far to ask help by Kurenai when he didn't know how before explaining itself back to Sakura. And after skipping through her academy file once again and noticing her high score of the intellect test given at her at age 4, he began to train it. And with much surprise and amusement, he noticed she was a perfect candidate for strategies and how to approach in different situations.

And when Naruto came back and was outsmarted between them both showed him how much those two had grown. And even though they hadn't seen each other for years, they worked together flawlessly, a fact he was really proud of. The three had fought side by side and succeeded bringing the last part of their family back. Sakura waited for them for the jounin exams so they could pass the same time and be equals with each other. But unlike Sakura who was glad with her status jounin, Naruto and Sasuke wanted more. And a couple of months after the joinin exams they began to train for ANBU.

She was honest when she told them to follow their hearts and if they wanted to join ANBU she wouldn't stop them. But for the second time her little family fell apart and this time the members were still in the village. She hadn't seen much of them but luckily for her, this time she remained close at least one of them. He visited regularly, joining her in a short walk back to her home or lunches whenever she had time.

And here she was now, twenty three and head medic at the hospital; being the first reaching that position at such a young age. She trained some youngsters as well, who had just like her potential to become great medic nin with the right education. She loved doing this but she couldn't deny that she longed to be back in the field. Sighing she turned her head away from the fairytale winter land and concentrated back on the file. Only twenty-six more to go, she thought happily. But groaned soon after. Oh, who was she kidding? She couldn't finish them all without spending the entire night here again.

Finishing the file she placed it on the left corner with the others before lying the pen where she'd been writing with down. She shoved the chair she sat in back, massaging her writing hand as she moved to the coffee machine in her office. She really needed it right now. As she patiently waited for the heavenly liquid to fill her empty cup, she heard footsteps coming her way from the hallway. She quirked an eyebrow in surprise. Everyone on this floor was already home. She even kicked her assistant from her post because she refused to leave until she did. And if there was an emergency where they needed her skills in one of the operation rooms they would simply call her over the Intel.

Leaving her cup she moved towards her office door, opening it to see a bag almost pushed into her face. She stumbled backwards and as she breathed she could smell the sweet goodies that were kept in the bag. The bag was still held out to her and when she got over her shock she grabbed it. Her eyes swept upwards to stare into the smiling face of her friend. He was still dressed in his usual uniform the only difference being the red scarf wrapped around his neck. But as she looked over his form once more, she noticed the dirt stains and the small tears in his clothes. Leaving the door open so he could get in she placed the bag on her desk before pointing at the examination table tucked away in the corner.

Grabbing another empty cup she pressed for another coffee, grabbing the now filled one and adding in some milk and sugar. As she stirred the warm liquid she took a small sip, savoring the taste before she too placed it away on the desk. Washing her hands briefly she finally turned towards her friend.

"Just got back?" She asked as she began to examine him. The only answer she got was a nod. Making sure he hadn't had any fatal wounds and wasn't running low on chakra she released him, moving away and back to the coffee machine. Without asking she added two sugars to the drink before handing it over to Kakashi who smiled gratefully in return.

"I thought you would like some dango's. You've been overworking yourself again." He didn't sound angry but a stern undertone was still there. Sakura snorted, looking back at the big pile of files she'd still have to go through.

"Says the person who can't relax himself. Mission after mission and you say I'm overworking myself."

"True, true. But I propose a deal." Sakura turned around, her interests quirked as to what the deal was to be.

"I'll take some time off but only if you do the same." Sakura sighed. She should have known that was what he was after. Downing her drink, she threw the now empty cup into the trash cabin.

"No can do Kakashi. Chirstmas is nearing and you know that time is hectic in the hospital. I can't leave my post. They need me here." She moved back behind her desk, cracking her fingers that made Kakashi flinch before she picked up her pen. "Besides, it feels nice to be needed."

"There is something that's called pushing it, my dear Sakura-chan," Kakashi said cheerily. His hand slit to one of his pockets on his vest and when he found the right one, he removed a scroll from his form and threw it over to Sakura. "You can't outsmart me now, it's an order to take time off."

Sakura glanced from the silver haired ninja to the scroll. Lying her pen down once again she opened the scroll. Her eyes swept over de lines and found out Kakashi had spoken the truth. The scroll held the order for her to take of the rest of the month, no questions asked. One side of her was glad she finally was free of all the workload and could relax for awhile. But the other side was angered that he went behind her back, forcing her to summit even if she didn't want to. She had nothing else to do then work to fill up her days. What was she supposed to do when she was on forced vacation?

Lowering the scroll she sighed, accepting her faith even though she wasn't quite happy about it. "Fine, you win," Sakura muttered. But she couldn't help to smile inwardly when she noticed her sensei smiling.

"I thought you would see it my way eventually." Sakura shrugged, grabbing her black knee-length coat and dark green scarf she'd gotten from one of her students. As she packed her working bag, she glanced out of the corner of her eye, hoping he wouldn't notice she was trying to sneak some work along with her.

And as her hand itched towards the files that still needed to be done, she gasped surprised when his gloved hand snatched around her wrist. "No work Sakura. It's vacation."

"But…!" Before she could protest any further or try to wring out of his hold and grabbing some files with her and flee, she was thrown over his shoulder. A scream passed her lips, surprised at his action and saw she was already carried out of her office.

"Put me down!" Sakura yelled, finally coming to her senses and began to struggle. Kakashi didn't falter though and happily kept walking even with all the threats that were thrown at him.

"Will you please at least turn off the lights?" Sakura asked hopefully. He stopped then out her request. And when Sakura thought he would finally set her down she heard the rustle of the dango bag. Now with one hand free Kakashi grabbed one of his kunai, flicked his wrist and send it flying towards the light bolt in Sakura's office. The sound of glass breaking soon reached their ears and the light source dimmed to black.

Sakura stopped struggling but her eyebrow began to twitch very dangerously. And as Kakashi carelessly began to walk again and even had the nerve to whistle was when Sakura's self control broke.

"You idiot!" She yelled and began to struggle with renewed strength.

"You told me to turn off the lights so I did," Kakasi said dryly.

"Not like that baka! I like to have light when I return back to work!"

"Be more specific next time then." He smirked as she felt her tense up, readying herself for another yell outburst. But having mercy on his own ear that was suffering with all her yelling he stopped his teasing. "I'll buy you a new bolt," He offered, turning into another hallway before walking down the stairs. "Now I know exactly what to get you at Christmas."

"Har, har Sensei," Sakura said with sarcasm. She stopped her struggling, knowing it wouldn't be of any use. Residing to her fate, she rested her chin on her hand, making sure her elbow was resting on a irritating place for him. He didn't say anything though and continued walking on.

As they were walking outside, well more Kakashi walking and Sakura being carried further, Sakura broke the silence between them. "Ne, Kakashi?" her voice came out soft.

"Hmm?"

"Does that mean you're taking time off too? It's only fair since you forced me out." She tried to sound logical. If he accepted, she at least had a person she could spend her free time with.

"You didn't say that you agreed with the deal Sakura-chan," He said playfully.

"You haven't either. I could also just go to Tsunade-shishou and convince her to give you time off. I have more than enough excuses to make her let you go on forced vacation."

"You got me there Sakura. Blackmailing your poor old sensei. Maybe I was trying to get out of debts and because of you I can't pay my bills?"

Sakura scoffed. "Yeah right. I know how much you get paid Sensei. And having seen your apartment that hardly could be you're out of money." Seeing he hadn't answered her question yet she asked again.

"Well will you?"

"Will I what?" Sakura sighed, knowing he was doing this on purpose. "Take some time off with me."

He still hadn't replied when they reached her apartment. He sat her down and handed her her dango's. He saw her disappointed look and knew right that moment he couldn't say no.

"I'll take some time off with you." Sakura looked up when she heard him speak. She blinked innocently before she smiled. She hugged him briefly, something she was found out she quite enjoyed doing.

"Thanks for the dango's Kakashi."

"You're welcome." And when Sakura released him, his eye crinkled as he began to smile. "See you around Sakura-chan." He disappeared then in a poof smoke, leaving Sakura behind on her front porch.

"See you around Kakashi," Sakura said smiling at the spot where the man who unknowingly claimed her heart. It didn't happen so sudden. Not that like she woke up one morning and promptly confessed she loved him. No, she guessed it started when they finally began to grow as friends. He'd been there for her through bad and worse. He knew all those strange quirks of her and still he would come to her when he needed company. She could be herself around him and unlike the blushing and stuttering child she'd been when she claimed to be in love with Sasuke; this time she was just acting like usual self when she was around Kakashi. She felt way happier to be in his presence and sometimes she even yarned to be there. Even if he hadn't been there for the first part in her life. He was there for there for the rest of her life so long if was given them. And even she admitted to herself she was quite an annoying child when she was younger. But that still didn't give him the right to gave her one look and ignore her.

Stepping into her warm home, she sighed relieved, glad that she would be spending the night in her own bed than working in her office. But as she stepped into the living room she felt someone's presence and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness she saw his form resting on her couch.

Confused as to why he was here she flicked on the light, knowing it would wake the man sleeping on her couch. He groaned groggily, his eyes squinted as he tried to get used to the sudden brightness. He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes before letting them rest on the owner of the house he'd crept in.

"What are you doing here Sasuke?" She hadn't seen him in months. He was away on a mission after all together with his squad. She smiled that now Sasuke was back home, Naruto was too. Maybe she could join him for ramen tomorrow and catch up. The pink haired kunoichi was pulled out of her thoughts when her visitor began to speak.

"I need your help."

Green eyes widened alarmed with his requested. Was he hurt? Had he been bleeding all this time while he waited for her to come home and heal him? She was already kneeling in front of him, her hand glowing a dim green to search him over. But Sasuke pushed her hand away. "Not that kind of help."

Sakura blinked, not sure what he wanted from her then. The chakra she'd concentrated in her hand faded back into her system and sat on the edge of her coffee table as she waited for Sasuke to tell him his problem.

He lowered his head, his dark bangs shielding his face from her. But not enough. Because Sakura began to bite her lip to hold back a chuckle when she saw the upcoming blush appearing on his pale skin.

"I need your help at seducing Naruto."

To be continued…