Knock Knock Knock

What was that?

Kakashi startled out of a meditative state re-reading an Icha Icha book could put him in. He hadn't been able to get a full nights sleep for close to three decades...forced to settle for meditation to be the bulk of his rest. Luckily, three or so hours of actual sleep was enough for him to get by; but it was probably why he looked so unbothered all the time, or so he was told.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Well shit…

Kakashi finally focused enough to realize the faint chakra signature he sensed was, in fact, coming from right outside his door; along with manic sounding attempts to get his attention. It was too much to hope that it was Sakura...it was just his sleep deprived mind playing tricks on him or one of Naruto's ANBU coming to collect three months worth of overdue mission scrolls.

KNOCK KNOCK BANG

Nevertheless, he jumped out of bed and made a mad dash to the door, leaving barely enough time to grab a mask to hide his modesty.

Of course, only the Copy NIn would consider himself more presentable with a mask than with a shirt. At least he left on his black sweatpants when he first climbed into bed that night...

He opened the door as casually as he was able to in his current state. To his amazement, the sight of pink and troubled green greeted him. The disheveled woman looked to be in a state of extreme distress as she turned her blushing face away from his uncovered physique to fidget with the short hem of a deep red, sheer nightgown.

"No one saw me. I made sure of it." her soft voice floated from trembling lips.

"I should hope so with you dressed like that…"

Kakashi grabbed her hand and pulled her in before one of his neighbors came out of their apartments. It was around three in the morning, but he couldn't rule out the fact that he was surrounded by tenants that would kill for a view into his personal life.

There was absolutely no reason as to why half the village was so keen on unraveling his secrets. Personally, he thought he was pretty boring, but it was fun pretending to be this mysterious guy who had something to hide...and to foil all their attempts. On more than one occasion he had to scare the living daylights out of nosey youths or, even worse, the female medics. Though, the irony of it all, considering his life lately, was not lost on him.

Once inside, Sakura made no effort to mask the emotions on her face. They all came crashing out of her the second she plopped onto his decrepit blue sofa and sank into the worn springs. How long had he had that thing?

The once poised matriarch that had been here causing havoc earlier this evening was now barely composed...but definitely more interesting. Granted, Sakura still looked flawless in a bun and bright red lipstick, but he saw in her tired eyes that she had been through a lot after running out on him just hours ago.

What had Sasuke done to her to make her so frightened?

Twitchy fingers kept attacking the wrinkles in her nightgown while she steadily avoided his gaze. Kakashi noted her state of undress and vowed he would kill the asshole if he had tried to force himself on the obviously confused woman.

Just the thought of it made him burn. Kakashi quietly walked over to stand in front of her, careful to not get too close to the anxious kunoichi just in case she had run away from an assault.

Her mouth began opening and closing as she fought to find the right words to begin.

"Can you elaborate a bit on what you were saying before? You know...about the truth not being what it seems?"

Holy shit, she's breaking the jutsu.

Kakashi crossed his arms with an exasperated sigh, "Oh, now you want to listen to the ramblings of an old man? Maahhhh Sakura, what changed your mind?"

A small blush formed on her cheekbones. A fiercely hungry look overtook her for just a moment before she hid it and pressed a small smile on her face.

Good. He didn't hurt her… she wouldn't be so interested if something of that nature had occurred.

"Kakashi, I-I don't know how to say this. And you're probably going to laugh me right out of here but, we're close friends, just close friends...right?"

This was dangerous ground. If he came on too strong she might think she couldn't trust him either; no doubt the only reason she was here was because Sasuke did something to set off her keen senses even if it hadn't been physical, thank Kami.

But, it was so hard to resist that look in her eyes.

The heady mix of hesitation and longing he could feel coming off her in waves as she looked him up and down...he wanted nothing more than to erase the uncertainty in her eyes and flood her mind with the acceptance they had recently found in each other.

"Hmmmm, yes. I do consider you to be one of the more tolerable ninja in this village. Why do you ask?"

He used this time to sit next to her on the couch, noticing the way she leaned closer at first, but then shied away at the last minute; nervous to show any type of affection.

Her eyes were racing back and forth as she stared at a spot on the dark gray carpet. Kakashi would give almost anything to be able to read her thoughts; to help her through this at all. It looked like she was doing battle with something in her head.

But, that wasn't too far off the mark was it?

A breathy whisper interrupted his musings, "Are we...more than friends?"

There was fear evident in her words, but also a quiet hope that seared him to the core. Their eyes locked as the silence stretched on...neither one knowing quite what to say, but there was an intense energy in the room that even he could not be ignored.

"Suppose it was true...would you believe me?"

The words hit her like a flying kunai. He watched as she gasped in shock as an idea formed.

"So they weren't just fantasies…" Sakura started mumbling under her breath, seemingly like she was arguing inside her head. He had seen her do this before.

Whenever he had questioned her about it she had laughed him off saying she just had a lot on her mind.

But this seemed a little off…

"Sakura, what's going on in that head of yours?"

At the sound of his voice, the kunoichi tensed and look up. She looked surprised to be interrupted, like she forgot she had an audience. However, in a split second her face hardened with resolve, even if her body was still shaking.

"Kakashi...I think I might be going insane. But, I feel like...as if... I can trust you."

He had never seen this side of her. Sakura never confided in anyone, choosing to keep a plastic smile in place so others never worried. For her to continually place her trust in him, enough to finally admit her secrets, spoke volumes of their current predicament. He felt honored that this fiercely independent woman chose him and was still choosing only him despite being wired not to.

"Anything Sakura," his voice was thick with suppressed emotion. Sakura noticed the change but didn't know what she had said to trigger it.

"I think I'm crazy Kakashi. I keep having images of us together in my mind...us being intimate. I know I'm married to Sasuke and I know a wife should be faithful to her husband, but you keep popping into my head. Am I not as happy as I originally thought?"

Sakura stared at him like he had the key to the truth...he did, but at what cost?

For a split second he thought of denying everything; telling her to take Sarada and run, to leave both of the fucked up men she loved and focus on healing. He could literally tell her anything and she would believe it…

"Kakashi?"

She was waiting for his answer; leaning in so close he could close the gap between them in an instant. Somehow, she seemed to be morphing back into the woman he fell in love with. It was hard to think clearly...all he could see was blazing emerald.

What should I do?

This was his chance to save her, to give her a second chance at a life that she could be proud of because SHE would be the one to choose where it led. There would be no man manipulating her or using her strength for his own purposes. The town would still love her because a relationship with her ex-sensei wouldn't make them think ill of her.

Sakura could finally have a life filled with possibilities…

What do you think the REAL Sakura would say if she heard your thoughts?

A small shiver involuntarily made its way through the ninja's body thinking of the beating he would receive from the Head Medic if she found out he had lied to her.

All Kakashi could do was tell her the truth and hope it led her to a life she was proud to live; he just selfishly hoped that that life involved him; oddly enough.

Hell, even if he wasn't involved in what she would make of herself once she left Sasuke he would just be immensely grateful that she would finally be happy.

Kakashi realized Sakura could walk out of his door tonight and he knew he wouldn't regret a single second of the time they spent together. After everything they had uncovered this month, he knew in this moment that having his heart broken by her was better than to not have known her in the way he did now.

She was such an amazing, vibrant soul that had been caged for too long.

HE actually helped her regain herself. For once he was not the destroyer…

That was payment enough.

With that revelation, Kakashi made a deal with himself.

I will love her. Fuck all the repercussions .

Just this once, I won't be afraid to let someone in...she can have everything.

"Sasuke is not what he seems Sakura. He put a genjutsu in your head to get you to marry him and has been manipulating your emotions to suit his needs ever since."

He was expecting more of a shock factor from her at his reveal, but all he received was a silent nod and back to whispering under her breath.

Well that was anticlimactic…

Kakashi sweat dropped and ran his hands through his hair as he let the pinkette think. She had stopped shaking and instead was tapping her foot. As weird as it seemed she appeared to be listening to another opinion. He flashed back to the night when she had the Shadow Man by the throat and spoke of herself in the third person.

It seemed Sakura had more secrets than she had ever let on...

Ino would have such a shit fit!

"As much as I love seeing you acting more like your old self instead of the Uchiha's trophy wife...would you mind letting me in on the conversation?" Kakashi said to get the woman's attention.

The glare she levelled at him was enough to make him inch back a little on the couch.

"Quiet. I'm in pain trying to think logically around this mental block in my head. Apparently, it's much stronger than the first genjutsu. I'll explain in a second."

After her quick retort, Sakura's whispers continued through gritted teeth as she fought to take control again. At one point, she brought glowing green hands to her temples. This continued until she let out a yelp of pain and slid further into the couch; exhaustion written all over her face.

"It's no use...we can't break it."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her choice of words and waited for an elaboration. Sakura absentmindedly bit her lip in agitation; picking her brain for a solution to the problem.

With none in mind, she turned her head to give the Copy Nin an inquisitive stare, almost as if to size him up for the bomb she was about to set off.

"What I'm about to tell you I have never told another soul. I hope you treat this information with as much prudence as you do that pretty face of yours."

The smile she sent his way didn't quite reach her eyes.

He said nothing but nodded for her to continue; too speechless to even form words of assurance. "Ever since I could remember I've had...two voices in my head. Me obviously, but also another that has helped shape me into the person I am today. I call her my "Inner"." Just recently, this voice has manifested as more of a presence…probably to help me deal with all the craziness that has been occuring lately."

This didn't really surprise the Copy Nin seeing as how he saw it firsthand when she defeated the Shadow Man. He also understood why Sakura had kept it hidden for so long, schizophrenia or anything of the like, would make her unfit for duty in many people's eyes; especially in her high ranked position.

"My Inner is the only reason I'm still alive after the Shadow Man had me in that genjutsu, she has helped me so much throughout my life...but, this block in my head is making it difficult for us to coexist. It seems like her words are popping out of my mouth without my being able to stop it. I need to break this jutsu and fast or who knows what could happen. I might not be able to hide her existence as well as I normally do."

Her eyes caught his grey, walls back up just as fast as he broke them.

He had to admit, hearing two similar, but distinct voices coming from the small pinkette in a matter of minutes threw him off, but he had experienced much worse in his career so it didn't necessarily bother him. Now that he knew what was going on it kind of made sense really...

"What can I do to help?"

Almost instantly, he saw the wall in her eyes crumble. The green orbs staring at him became misty as she fought to stay in control of her emotions.

"Ready to help, just like that huh? I knew you would understand…"

At her soft words and even softer gaze, Kakashi was overcome with his own feelings. It was amazing to him just how tender hearted she could be when all she wanted to show the world was her strength. To be seeing this side of Sakura left him with a sense of unworthiness, but he was determined to become better, just to keep seeing this side of her.

Kakashi laid his ungloved hand on hers, making sure to maintain eye contact as a way to assure her this touch was ok, while he rubbed his thumb across the top of her softly calloused knuckles.

"You're far from crazy Sakura. The genjutsu Sasuke put into your head is preventing you from remembering everything we've been through and also your feelings for me. My guess is he also managed to erase the memories of how neglectful he has been to you over the years which was what originally led you straight into my arms."

The Head Medic's analytical mind was working overdrive, trying to grasp any sliver of truth that Kakashi had revealed. Nothing came to mind though...and the images she did conjure up from her flashbacks hours ago seemed like distant dreams.

There has to be a way to break this! Even I can't remember anything but our hate for "our husband" and the fact Kakashi is safe. I think the jutsu is trying to push us back into stasis.

Irritation started to take hold of Sakura. When she first cracked the barrier back at the Uchiha Grounds it hadn't taken serious effort, just a huge push with her medical chakra. Why couldn't she break through the rest?

"Sakura…" Kakashi's voice broke the silence with a suddenness that made the kunoichi jump.

He moved his hand from from hers and laid it on the woman's cheek...gently. The soft pad of his thumb ran a line across the high plane, which she involuntarily leaned into to indulge in the much needed comfort. His hand then continued down to explore her full, lipsticked mouth. She looked so different with all the makeup, not to say she didn't look amazing, but the perfectly applied products made her look too good to be in his run down apartment.

He would break the facade Sasuke had thrown her back into…the thought of her being manipulated again was enough to further rile up his thoughts on the already sore topic.

She was NOT the Uchiha's perfect, porcelain doll!
She was a kick ass fighter, the best battle medic the world over, and a hardcore bitch that made no excuse for who she was.

As far as he was concerned, she would never be Sakura Uchiha. That woman didn't exist, just a product of Sasuke's deceit. She would ALWAYS be Sakura Haruno in his eyes. She would alway be…

"Mine."

"What?...", was all Sakura had a chance to say before Kakashi ripped his mask down and covered her lips with his own. The gasp that came out of the kunoichi's covered mouth did nothing to deter his advance, the Copy Nin responded with a growl at finally reclaiming his hard earned prize. Kakashi held her face steady as she wrapped her arms around his bare forearms, he wasn't sure if she needed something to hold onto or was about to rip him away, but he continued to kiss her until she decided on a course of action.

It's ok. This is ok...Kakashi is safe.

Sakura's inner did her best to get rid of the sudden burst of pain that assaulted her brain as soon as Kakashi's touch became sexual. It seemed like the genjutsu was trying to eradicate the woman's true feelings by blasting her with negative stimulation whenever she was put into situations that did not favor Sasuke's wishes. A Pavlov Reaction that would overtime assimilate her completely.

With a cry, Sakura pushed Kakashi away from her and gasped for breath.

"I'm sorry! It's just really hard to control myself around you when I know the truth of our relationship. I'll behave now. Promise."

Kakashi's deep voice held such a level of warmth for her it blew the medic away. If what he was saying was true, that they were in love, then Sasuke was in for a whole world of trouble when she got ahold of him.

THAT'S IT!

Inner Sakura showed her mental images of the couple in various intimate acts. It would hurt like a bitch, but maybe if she pushed through the pain…

"...If I push through the pain...I might break the band! I get it!" Sakura exclaimed as she excitedly put it all together.

Kakashi took it all in with an amused face. Now that he knew his lover's secret it was kind of cute to see her interacting with herself; especially with her lipstick now all over her face from the intensity of his kiss. Or maybe he was just biased.

He had no time to ponder that line of thinking further due to Sakura zeroing in on him with a strange gleam on her face. If he were a lesser man he'd be almost nervous at her expression.

"Kakashi, I want to try something."

Slowly, she got up and positioned herself to straddle his lap. It surprised him, but he believed in her enough to let her continue.

Once she was comfortable in his lap, Sakura fisted both her hands in the Copy Nin's hair and moved his face to be level with her elevated position. She needed his full attention and focus if this was going to work.

"I need your help breaking the genjutsu band I found in my head. It might by traumatic for both of us but I trust you fully and I know you would never hurt me intentionally." Sakura paused to let that sink in before continuing.

"It may sound awful but I think the only way to override the block is to push myself past my own limits."

"...And how do you suppose we do that?" Kakashi listened with interest, not sure where she was going with this.

Sakura's intense expression turned lustful as she gazed at the man's face; seeing her lipstick spread all over his mouth was enough to want more...limits be damned.

"I need you to fuck me."

His upward gaze turned baffled at the sudden 360 in her feelings for him. Sakura lightly laughed as she concentrated harder on his face.

"What I meant to say is I need you to show me how you feel about me. I need you to help me remember what we had before I... lose myself again."

The break in her voice was enough to destroy any doubt in his mind. Kakashi wrapped his arms around her curvy waist.

"Okay."

With that one word, Sakura felt herself melt physically into his embrace as well as mentally into the picture he had been painting of them in her mind.

Kakashi closed his eyes and felt his heart soar at the feeling of having her back in his arms.

Just this once…

You can have everything.