Hooray for updates! If you read 'Lolita' you'll know why it's been so long since I've uploaded anything, and I plan on making sure the next chapter doesn't take an entire year to do. I'm finally breaking through my massive writer's block and I'm determined to keep on going and getting all my current stories finished so I can eventually bring out more content.

This one's a bit on the sadder side, I'm trying to balance out the humour and fluff with a few more serious scenarios to fill out the overall development. I'm still trying to find my groove again so it might be a little slower and not quite up to snuff, all I ask if that you please bear with me.

Please enjoy, and remember, reviews are very much loved! :)

BLUE

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

Sakura was well aware that she was staring, but she hadn't been able to control it. Ever since one of Kakashi's students had relentlessly questioned her what lay beneath the sensei's mask, her own curiosity had gotten the better of her; especially as she'd known him for many years and never seen his face.

She kept her eyes on him as he moved around his small kitchen, disposing of the now-empty takeaway containers they'd discarded after their meal. It had become somewhat of a tradition that once a week they met at Kakashi's apartment and had dinner together, provided neither of them were away on a mission.

"Why do you wear the mask?"

Her sudden and blunt question caused the older man to pause, regarding her with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you want to know?"

"In all the years I've known you, I have never seen your face. I know others have had glimpses, but…" Sakura trailed off, unsure of how to continue her trail of thought.

"I have a hideous mole near my mouth. It scares people." he replied evenly with a shrug, causing Sakura's irritation to rise.

"I find that impossible to believe. Ayame said your face was quite pleasant." she retorted, folding her arms across her chest.

Sighing, Kakashi finished cleaning the counter-top and leaned against it, closing his eyes. "Why does it matter so much to you?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

"I thought…well I consider us to be good friends. Close friends. You know basically everything about me and yet I feel like I've barely scratched the surface with you." she explained honestly, wincing inwardly at how petty she was beginning to sound.

"You've never been all that good at hiding your feelings, Sakura." Kakashi pointed out in response, looking over at her once more.

Realising with frustration that she wasn't going to get the answers she sought, Sakura turned her back to him and grabbed her coat, huffing. "Well if you're going to be like that…"

"Did you ever think that perhaps I have issues with getting close to people?"

His question pained her, making her realise that she indeed was being insensitive with him. She scolded herself for not being as understanding as she should, and momentarily forgetting just what Kakashi had been through in his life.

Everyone he had ever grown close to was gone, and despite his usual cool and detached demeanour when it came to such things, there was no way that pain could ever completely heal nor disappear.

"I'm sorry, I should have been more sensitive." she apologised to him earnestly, unsure of whether to continue her departure or to remain and try to amend the situation.

Sakura watched as Kakashi strode over to his couch, sinking onto it as he held his head in his hands. She decided to walk over to him and sit down beside him, unsure if her presence was even wanted until he reached over and grabbed her knee gently.

"You have a point." he whispered, taking in a deep breath before leaning back in his seat. "You've been nothing but honest and open with me, the least I can do is return that sentiment."

Laying her own hand over his and softly squeezing it with reassurance, Sakura shook her head in defiance of his statement. "No, I shouldn't have pried."

"My mother gave me my first mask for my birthday. I can't remember how old I was exactly; those years were kind of a blur. I'd seen a shinobi in the village wear one similar and begged her for it. My father thought it was ridiculous." Kakashi told her, looking off into the distance as he recalled his past.

Sakura remained silent, unsure of whether to interject or not before he continued.

"After she died, I began to wear it more often. Eventually it became everyday. It reminded me of how much she loved me, and I guess it made me believe that I was keeping her with me somehow when I wore it. Then when my father…" he trailed off, swallowing a lump in his throat.

Sakura knew what had happened to Hatake Sakumo, and couldn't imagine how painful it must be for Kakashi to think of his father's suicide. She gripped his hand tighter, not knowing exactly what to say as no words could be comforting enough. He returned the gesture as he regained his composure.

"After that I guess it became a coping mechanism. If no-one could see my face, they wouldn't be able to see my pain. The mask was my security blanket, and beneath it I felt safe and strong. Emotions were a sign of weakness, and I refused to be weak, Then it became habit that I would put it on every single day." he admitted, cocking his head slightly to the side in thought. "It almost feels like part of me."

"I had no idea." Sakura responded quietly, replaying his words in her head.

"You're the only person I've told." Kakashi admitted, looking over at her. "The whole story, anyway."

She gave him the best smile she could muster, but it couldn't quite wash the guilt and sadness in her jade eyes. "You didn't have to tell me."

"I wanted to. I needed to." he replied honestly, looking somewhat unsure of what to do and uncomfortable at exposing something rather personal to it. "It's not easy, but I'm glad you know."

"I promise I won't pry anymore. Well, to the best of my ability. I kind of have a knack for being annoying." she cringed slightly at the word, recalling her younger days when she was referred to as such often by the Uchiha who had captivated her heart.

"Not annoying. Curious." Kakashi reprimanded, and she was glad to be pulled back to the conversation.

"I'm glad you see it like that."

He reached a hand up to scratch the back of his head. "It's part of your charm."

His remark made Sakura's skin tingle and her heart beat faster, and all she could manage was to grin at him stupidly. She wasn't sure how to respond and what to do next, but the look on her face disappeared instantly with his next sentence.

"I can show you my face if you want."

Realising just how serious his invitation was, Sakura suddenly felt unworthy. Here she was nagging at him to the point where he'd felt obliged to open up about such hurtful things, and he was about to take it one step further which was nowhere near necessary.

"You don't have to Kakashi. I understand now, and I don't want to force you into feeling like you have to. I should be on my way anyway, I've got a dozen files to review for work at the hospital and we both know how Tsunade-shishou can get." she rambled as she rose from the couch, hastily approaching the front door in hope of a quick exit so she could give him some well-deserved space.

"I don't want to hide from you."

Not only was it his words or the sincerity in his tone that caused Sakura to pause in her exit and turn back to face Kakashi, it was also the fact that his voice was clear and not muffled in the slightest that had caught her immediate attention.

The sight that met her eyes was one she was not expecting. In place of the dark blue cloth she had become to accustomed to as being part of his features, there was a set of firm lips which were quirked ever so slightly, a strong jaw that was covered in a thin layer of silver stubble and a perfectly straight nose that was scrunched up in what she realised was anticipation of her reaction.

"Kakashi-" she began to protest, falling silent when he held both hands up.

"It's just my face, right? No big deal. I see yours all the time." he spoke with a nonchalant shrug, but there was an unsteadiness in his voice that indicated that not only was he trying to convince Sakura, but also himself.

She made her way back towards him, slow and precise in her movements. "It is a big deal for you, and I understand that. I shouldn't have pressured you-"

"I'm glad you did." he interrupted her, a ghost of a smile appearing on his bare lips. "I told you, I don't want to hide from you."

Unable to stop herself, Sakura leaner down toward him and pressed a gentle kiss upon his cheek, feeling the skin underneath her touch grow heated. Becoming aware of her actions she stood back up, a blush colouring her own cheeks.

This was definitely not the situation she expected to be in when she had arrived.

"I should probably head home, but…thank you Kakashi." she spoke gently, squeezing his shoulder as an affectionate gesture before she began to make her way to his front door.

"Thank you Sakura." he gave her a proper smile, revealing his perfectly white teeth which almost caused her to return to his embrace and kiss him some more.

An idea she instantly shook out of her head as soon as it formed, knowing it was neither the time nor place to be thinking of such things. Instead she continued towards the door, her own grin forming.

"Also, that's a beauty mark Kakashi. Not a mole. And it's adorable."

Here's three things you should know;

1. I have a few headcanons about Kakashi's mask and why he wears it, this is just one of them. Another (darker) one is my one-shot 'Scars'. I'd love to know what you guys think is the reason, what headcanons do you have?
2. Poor Kakashi. I love the guy so much and feel so bad for all the crap that's happened to him. I only hope I can do him some kind of justice when it comes to writing his painful past.
3. I looked up what the colour blue symbolises, and honesty as well as trust showed up. I research each colour as I write their chapters, to get an idea of what the all mean and how I can incorporate not only the colour but their meanings. It definitely helps me with ideas for each one-shot!

Next chapter is between pink and red, which one would you like to see first?

Please let me know what you think, feedback is incredibly helpful and very much appreciated. :)