Kakashi strolled through the streets of Konoha in the early morning light. Sakura had been back at work for nearly a week. She had stopped by his office a few times to discuss the hospital's recent expansion. It was good to see her enthusiastic and energized.

Vendors spilled into the street and began opening their stores. After a life of unpredictable missions, walking the same path to work, smelling the same smells, and seeing the same Konoha come alive each morning was comforting.

Reliable.

Like Sakura.

He had known, without hesitation, that he could trust her with his father's story. Kakashi had outgrown his shame of his father years ago, but he was still protective of his family's past. He hadn't felt the need to protect anything from Sakura. Sakura would always understand. He could talk to her about anything. Diplomatic, personal, she could be trusted. Hell, Sakura was probably his closest friend, and he loved her for it.

He stopped.

Wait, what?

This was his former student, the girl he had known since she was twelve. She wasn't twelve anymore, and her maturity far surpassed his own. She was his equal, his peer, his friend. Still…

Of course he trusted her. And cared about her. That trust and care probably combined into a feeling like love. He loved Naruto in practically the same way. Okay, nope, that was a lie. Naruto was not the one he had confided in. Naruto was not the one who had looked steadily into his eyes and said, "I'm proud of you."

It had been Sakura. Sakura's spirit and warmth. Sakura's hand in his, Sakura's tears, and Sakura's strength. And he didn't want it to be anyone else. He wanted it to be Sakura, and only Sakura, and always Sakura.

Well, shit.

Kakashi was still standing stock still in the middle of the street. He should move. He had a busy day ahead of him. He couldn't think about Sakura now. Not that it was distracting. He just had a lot to do. He was Hokage, after all.

Kakashi didn't think about Sakura the rest of the way to his office. He didn't think about her as he automatically scanned, stamped, and stacked mission reports. He didn't think about her when Naruto, rather concerned at this outburst of productivity, offered to bring him lunch. He concentrated on not thinking about her so fiercely, he thought about her constantly.

How would Sakura feel if he told her? Betrayed, uncomfortable, distant? Kakashi wanted none of those things.

He spent the next several weeks trying to get a grip. He went to the hospital several times to see some of the victims from the restaurant fire. Each time, he hoped and dreaded he'd see her. When he admired a well-written report and chuckled at the tone, a feeling of foreboding overtook him. He glanced at the last sheet. Submitted by: Sakura Haruno. He continually convinced himself that he had just been feeling lonely, yet turned down dinners with friends to sit at home or in his office and (not) think about Sakura. Finally, completely fed up with his distracted mind, he got up before dawn, went to the training grounds, formed his Lightning Blade, and exploded all the training posts in his sight. He stopped, panting, and became acutely aware that someone was watching him. Two some ones.

He sighed. Well, great. The two some ones were none other than Naruto and Sakura. He'd seen Sakura in passing, but he hadn't been alone with her since he had realized his…feelings. He dispelled his chakra and greeted them cheerily, "Hello."

"Kakashi-sensei…Are you alright?" Naruto said, his blue eyes wary.

"Fine, fine. Just keeping up on my training. Glad to see you two are doing the same."

"Uhm…Well, we aren't actually. Someone called the office because a lightning storm was freaking them out. They though the forest might catch on fire."

"Oh," Kakashi said. Several pieces of wood were smoking, but nothing was literally on fire.

And Sakura was silent.

"It seems I did get…carried away."

"I know how that goes." Naruto grinned. "Believe it! If that's all, I should probably get back. See you at the office."

Kakashi smiled under his mask as Naruto bounded away. Only Naruto was that enthusiastic about office work. That would probably change once he was Hokage.

"I need to go too, sensei." Sakura said, frowning slightly. "I was heading into the hospital when I ran into Naruto. We thought it might be you."

Looking at the concern in Sakura's eyes, Kakashi felt guilty for his false cheer.

"I'm alright, Sakura," he repeated.

She nodded, but her frown lingered as she left.

Kakashi's heart was thumping in his chest, but not because of his physical exertions.

Good to know that a lifetime of diligent training was absolutely useless in this situation. Kakashi sighed and tugged at his mask. He was defenseless when it came to her. Maybe he had been going about this the wrong way. His feelings weren't going anywhere, so he may as well accept them. He didn't need to act on them. He could just continue living his life and keep them to himself. After all, he'd lived with far more sinister secrets than being in love.