Messing with me
“Leave me alone,” Kakashi brushed off Genma’s hand from his shoulder.
The senbon grinning idiot had a knack for sticking to him like gum when he had nothing else to do, or anyone else for that matter.
Genma winked and grinned boyishly. “Let’s catch up, man. Aren’t I your best friend?” Kakashi breathed in calmly through his nose and could feel a vein on his fist.
He couldn’t take a stroll through his village because someone would latch up to him. Like flies attracted to trash. And It was always when he wanted to be alone the most.
“I should have stayed inside my room,” thought Kakashi.
If it wasn’t Gai, it was Genma, and if he was really unlucky, it was those two, and Asuma. People usually assumed Asuma to be the most responsible and mature one of their generation, but that was only because people didn’t know him like he did, and boy, was he a little shit, too.
One time when Gai had left on a mission. Asuma and Genma got together, and that was never a good sign.
Together they got busy.
He had been reading in his living room when a loud peck and fluttering was heard outside his door.
Messenger birds were trained to recognize faces and could easily memorize locations, they were allowed to use chakra to alert specific shinobi of their presence so as not to wait all day outside.
He had prayed that it was nothing and continued to get in the mood with his hands.
But, no. Because tiny little chirps, then issued outside. The unmistakable sound a chick.
Kakashi got up and flung the door open, “What the fuck?”
A big messenger bird was snuggling against a single, yellow chick.
The messenger snapped its head and professionally distanced itself from the tiny chick, who was now chirping besides its new found mom. He grabbed the letter from the messenger birb and pried it open.
Kakashi violently jerked his head away from his findings, and sternly glared in disgust, “No.”
People didn’t lie when they said that things could always get worse. Because they did.
Dozens of pictures slid from the envelope and onto his hand, containing the Green Beast of Konoha in numerous, and unspeakable positions. Images he never wanted to see,Gai blowing kisses in speedos, flexing things that should never be flexed. A glimpse was all it took for him to make it his life’s purpose to be Gai worst living nightmare.
A glimpse of the first picture made Kakashi swear on his life to shave off Gai’s caterpillar eyebrows the second he came back. He shoved the pictures inside, turned the enveloped around and found the shittiest puns.
“Chicken shit” and “Chick-y bastard.” Along thirteen others.
Kakashi looked around when barks of laughter erupted and Genma and Asuma walked around a tree.
Like he said they were little shits.
“Oh, man! Guess whose idea was to send you the pictures? Asuma’s! Mine was the puns and w-wait!”
Genma dived toward the chick while Asuma shut an eye.
Kakashi’s foot came crashing down and stopped just above the oblivious and fuzzy little chick that wouldn’t cease its damn chirping, “Dude! We were just messing around!”
Genma’s hand was outstretched on the ground, his hand extending and not quite able to reach the small chick.
“Yeah, a prank. Friendly pranks, because we’re friends, right, Kakashi?” Asuma winced darting his eyes to and fro from underneath Kakashi’s foot.
Did these fuckers knew who they’re talking to? Have they forgotten he had been in Anbu?
He smiled evilly, his eye gleamed maliciously. To get these imbeciles off his back, necessary threats had to be made, “Take him before I finish him.”
“Coward, don’t make it easy on yourself. He could actually be a she. I could tell you in full certainty, but I haven’t checked,” Genma scooped up the annoying birb and unzipped a fanny pack and softly dumped it in.
They both walked away muttering in disagreement at how Kakashi handled a harmless situation.
Kakashi smirked, feeling better. No one pranked him and got away with it. He was the only one allowed to do the pranking and when he did, people dealt with it. His way or no way.
Asuma chased him off a few days later when Kakashi had mailed Gai’s semi nude pictures to a disturbed and pissed off Kurenai.
The brunette took pleasure in being in the Copy Ninja’s presence. Women tended to ogle at the duo like a pair of celebrities. This left a strong impression in women and it gave him more options to pick from the crowd.
“Hey, hey, I was wondering. You wouldn’t mind if I date Sakura?” Genma said, his smile was oozing with confidence as he winked at a modest teenager who blushed and scurried away.
Kakashi held back the instinct of tripping Genma amid walk. Kakashi narrowed his eye, “You have a date with her already?”
Years of practice has tested Kakashi to manage his sensitivity to sound. The clanking senbon against Genma’s unnicked teeth was hardly noticeable now. “No, but it’s me. C’mon, like she’ll resist me. I’ll treat her nice.”
His ear almost twitched. On second thought…
“You mean in bed? She’ll kill you if you treat her like one of your conquests.” He would help, of course. Along with the help of Tsunade and team 7.
This was probably a joke. It had to be. Asuma was probably nearby.
“I mean where else? Get your headband out of the way, man. Seriously. It’s rude and stupid now.” Kakashi answered Genma’s protests by slouching a little more.
He suddenly stopped and nonchalantly met Genma’s brown eyes, “Genma, stay away from her. Or I’ll go out of my way to make you disappear.”
Genma stared quizzically, mouth slightly agape, “What you interested in her? I didn’t think you cared about who she dates or sleeps with.”
Kakashi simply shrugged. The dangerous and intense air of Kakashi’s threat dissipated as fast as it came, but not entirely, “I’m looking out for her. I don’t want her to catch anything from you.”
Genma shot a scornful look of doubt, “Look who’s talking. You’re as bad as me. I’m like holy water compared to you. Hypocrite. ”
“What about Ino?” Those two were an on and off item, but Ino unquestionably lasted beyond any of Genma’s previous relationships and one night stands. Both were alike in many ways than one, they were the most conspicuous pair in the village.
“Ino’s got her eyes on Sai right now. We were just helping each other. I don’t know what she sees in him.” Genma’s attitude slumped angrily.
Kakashi inquired further, maybe he’d get sour enough and leave, “Shizune?”
Genma looked up to glare at the hokage’s tower, where Shizune was known to be at this moment, “You know she doesn’t have time for me. Her life is her career.” Genma had grown fond and overprotective of Shizune when they were kids. She used to get bullied for being smaller and scraggly than most girls. Genma resented her for taking off and prioritizing Tsunade and her gambling travels. He clearly missed her.
Genma’s face lit up instantly when he caught sight of vibrant pink hair. “Just my luck! Sakura! Can I talk to you?” If he had seen Sakura first, he would have derailed Genma. To his annoyance Genma gallantly made his way to Sakura.
Kakashi stayed put in the middle of the walkway bustling with people hoping to blend in. Who was he kidding? He was tall even when he was slouching, and his hair…
Sakura immediately did take notice of him, her eyes shone, or maybe it was his imagination, or the sun. But, she quickly and respectfully returned her attention to what Genma was trying to tell her.
He couldn’t see Genma’s face and he didn’t need to when Sakura turned her heels and left.
Genma returned shy and with a half smile, “I like her.”
Kakashi was pleased if not a little proud, “Only because she rejected you.”
“Shut up.”
Sakura only came to the stupid club because Kakashi had tapped on her window and casually invited her.
She wasn’t prepared to find herself sitting in between Genma or Kakashi.
A simple hello from Genma caused her so much trouble. Now she knew better, if she had been a rude bitch she could have entirely avoided this predicament.
“Oh, yeah? Sakura, whose arm would you have around your shoulders? Mine or chicken-shit Kakashi?” Genma smirked, leaning in snuggly in Sakura’s direction while narrowing his eye’s challengingly at Kakashi. Genma was annoyingly good at holding grudges.
The pheromones ran wildly and persitingly in the air or maybe it was the unexpected spotlight that she was receiving. She felt bombarded with attention, it was uncomfortable, “Neither.”
Genma leaned further against Sakura, hot air reaching her ears, “But if you had to choose between the two.”
Sakura fought back the need to face Genma, his proximity was dangerously close to making her feel girlish.
Sakura replied without missing a beat, “Kakashi-Sensei, I suppose.”
Genma raised an eyebrow. He mouthed a silent “ah,” his senbon balanced in his mouth. He was clearly entertained and finding Sakura fun to tease, “Got the hots for your Sensei, Sakura? You don’t have to lie. Everyone in this table knows Kakashi is popular with the ladies.”
All eyes were on her and her heart was running loose. She glanced around the table and cursed inwardly as no one jumped to her rescue. Gai, Kurenai, Asuma, Yamato where waiting expectantly. She snapped her eyes and glued them on her untouched drink. Her fingers pressed on the water drops forming on the glass, wiping them. She must look like a timid idiot doodling on her beer glass.
Kakashi was half expecting Yamato to step in to Sakura’s defense seeing how he was considered the better teacher of team 7. He half expected, no wanted, Sakura to head-butt Genma right on his face, “Watch it, Shinarui.”
Genma held up a finger, “Okay, but it’s one thing to choose between the two of us and another to have his arm around you. So, Kakashi if you dare...or are you chicken shit?”
Sakura’s face flushed. “God, you could be Ino’s long lost twin brother. I’m not here to play truth or dare, so stop looking at me like I’m going to be the highlight of your week.” Sakura directed her finger at everyone around the table.
“Ino and I are compatible in more ways than one, sweetheart.” Genma said smugly, but moved on when Asuma threw him a look. “I think Sakura is the only woman on this Earth that is actually repulsed by the idea of being touched by you, man. Let me tell you Sakura, Kakashi’s gotten in bed with a princess and the queen when he was only nineteen. Though not at the same time, but he did them on the same day.”
Kurenai looked distatesfully at Kakashi, “Is this true? I always wondered. Wasn’t the husband in the palace, too?”
“It doesn’t concern anyone,” Kakashi coolly brushing off everyone’s searching eyes.
Sakura pursed her lips together and clenched her fists, “This is pretty boring and immature. Aren’t you two, too old, to be trying to outscore each other? I could be in my pj’s at home doing nothing.”
Genma’s eyes twinkled and pouted, “Ouch, can I come with? I want to do nothing, too, but not alone, of course.”
“Okay, I’m leaving.” Sakura shot upright, annoyed of being the joke of the night. Genma’s eyes trailed her behind and he smiled approvingly. At least Kakashi tried in his own way to help her.
She looked at everyone at the table hating how infantile they were and how much she has blushing over arms being draped around her. It’s not like Genma was asking her who she’d rather kiss so, she sat down again.
Her hand reached Kakashi’s arm and calmly wrapped it around herself. “There. Now I got to live with all of Kaka-Sensei’s cooties. Happy now?” Sakura rolled her eyes and shot Genma a quick glare.
“Forehead! Getting cozy with Kakashi-Sensei? Finally! I’m so proud, You’re doing something SO bold for ONCE. Praise you,” Ino appeared flustered and swayed drunkenly behind Asuma.
Great a drunk Ino. Exactly what she needed. “Shut it, Pig!”
Genma blew a kiss at Ino, who winked and blew a kiss in return; she looked like a pompous cheerleader, “I’m surprised you haven’t punched Genma yet.”
Sakura huffed humorlessly, “I’m pretty sure Kakashi-Sensei is going to kick the shit out of him.”
Ino’s unenergetic sway of her hip was not meeting the rhythm of the music. She came to a halt and limply leaned against Asuma. “You know, it’s kinda perverted to call him Sensei when you’re practically on him. It’s that what you’re into Sakura? Like to play student?” Ino’s arm snaked around Asuma’s neck and brushed brusquely against Kurenai’s face.
Kurenai crossed her arms over chest, shot Ino a mean look before elbowing Asuma in the gut. Asuma gave a short grimace of pain, but quickly shifted uncomfortably in his seat attempting to put distance between him and Ino, “Ino, I think you’ve had enough. Where’s Shikamaru and Choji?”
Ino unhooked her arm and nodded towards a table, “Choji passed out and Shikamaru is napping?”
Sakura squinted her eyes in disbelief, “who the hell sleeps in a bar?”
Asuma closed his eyes and smiled knowingly, “Wake him and have him take you home, I’ll take care of Choji.”
“Yes, sir. Or should I say Asuma-Sensei.” Ino placed a hand on her hip and slanted onwards, “Hey, Sakura, I bet you’re acting skills are SO mediocre you can’t pull off pretending to date Kakashi. Oh, sorry, was it Kaka-Sensei? If you do,” she paused importantly, “I’ll cut my bangs just above my eyes. Or more.”
Asuma sighed, rolling his shoulders and the unlit cigarette in his mouth, preparing to carry Choji was no easy feat, “Ino, stop talking.”
Inner Sakura was jumping in victory, “Will you let me cut them?”
“Only if you have the balls, chestless,” Ino’s single, visible, blue-eye scanned intensely through Sakura’s chest. She gave Sakura a pitiful look and shook her head.
Sakura hugged her chest from Ino’s glassy eye, “You’ll be sorry, Ino, because I will do it and I will cut your bangs. I’ll take anyone who tries to stop me.”
Ino feigned a shiver and rubbed her arms, “Oooh, I’m sooo scared.”
Genma was clearly enjoying himself, his eyes were practically eating Ino’s figure. He was smirking appreciatively.
Kurenai looked on with mild interest, Yamato smiled nervously as he mixed his drink with his shapeshift finger.
Gai was dozing off while chanting, “The power of youth! Youth, youth, youth!” banging an empty glass against the table.
Kakashi’s slouch was the same except he looked like he zoned to Icha Icha dreamland.
Sakura glared at Kakashi. She breathed in deeply trying to contain her emotions in check, but she needed to have Kakashi’s okay. “Kakashi-Sensei! Kaka-sensei!”
Ino guffawed soundlessly and Sakura was itching to throw her full drink at her face, “Kakashi!”
Sakura flicked her finger against the metal plate of his headband.
“Hmm?” Kakashi crinkled his eye unapologetically, and lolled on purpose.
“How can you be so unaware of what’s happening?”
Oh, he was aware. He simply didn’t know what to do with himself.
“So, um, can we pretend for awhile?” Sakura clasped her hands together pleadingly as if a one in a million opportunity presented itself.
“Anything for my favorite student,” he chuckled and visually threw daggers in Genma’s way, who was smirking pervertedly. Genma’s mouth formed an “oooh” and mimicked Ino, he rubbed his shoulders and shivered vigorously. He stopped then and mocked noiselessly, “Anything for my favorite student” while he raised his senbon and an eyebrow.
Sakura did a small dance in her head, without so much as a warning she threw herself at Kakashi, who jumped high in his seat at the tight embrace, flailing his arms and settling as casual and quickly as possible. His chest almost opened like a door for his poor heart to flee away.
Yamato coughed his drink without closing his eyes, which made him look a little insane and purple.
Sakura stuck out her tongue at Ino and held out a peace sign. This wasn’t too hard. It felt like the most normal thing in the world. Oh, was she going to win and snip a little too much for Ino’s liking. She pinched her lips together trapping an explosive, triumphant laugh.
“Sakura!” hearing the voice of Tsunade made her jump out of her skin. She meant to take a seat next to Kakashi, but fell more into his lap. She tried to wiggle or slide, but Kakashi held her firmly in place, his jaw clenched shut. A nervous shudder ran up his spine in panic. A creeping pleasure made him pray for his life.
Everyone’s head turned, wide eyed and afraid for Sakura and Kakashi.
Ino and Genma were both clutching their own bellies. The timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Sweet, free, entertainment.
“Explain,” Tsunade looked ready to take action, which made Sakura stammer in a high pitch voice, “We are dating, Tsunade-Sama.”
Tsunade blinked once, twice, “Since when?”
Sakura gulped loudly, “Today.”
In a calmer state she would have sat modestly away from Kakashi, but her mind wasn’t working. Instead she hugged Kakashi’s arm for proof of their newly discovered relationship. Maybe it was to ease her nerves, which were all over the place. She could always blurt out the truth, she was excellent at rambling for miles a second when she was petrified, especially in Tsunade’s presence.
Tsunade stared at the absurdly close proximity of her pupil and the silver haired brat, “Today?”
Sakura buried the side of her face against Kakashi’s muscled arm, not daring to blink. She nodded energetically.
“Hatake you watch your hands or you’ll catch mine. Other than that I think you are well suited for each other, you’ll make prodigious children. I'm sure.”
Tsunade rested an angry look at Kakashi. All kinds of promises and warnings flashing through her golden amber eyes. “It was about time Sakura, and above all, you. You overdue brat. Good, good, carry on,” she captured Kakashi’s sole eye one last time and held it as she mastered a final deadly expression. Before leaving them she barked, “don’t bother me. I’m here to drink!”
Kakashi didn’t realize his hand had ran to find shelter in Sakura’s thigh. His palm pressed hard on the inside of her leg, “I guess we are dating now.” His soul was about to give out when he finally processed that he was miraculously in the clear, he slowly removed it, hoping Sakura wouldn’t come to her senses just yet and beat him senseless.
If Kakashi had left his warm, and strangely possessive hand on her leg, or that’s how it felt to her, Sakura wouldn’t have minded to have it exactly where it was. So she could memorize the heat and weighty feel of his hand for an hour or so, “We could stage our breakup?” she looked at him, some healthy color was returning to her face.
She felt like she failed Kakashi by putting him in such a position in public. People were going to talk. Everyone who has worked with Kakashi, knew straight away that his privacy was unquestionably important to him.
Sakura shifted on the center of his lap, feeling blameworthy, she didn’t want to be responsible for more rumors even if Tsunade had shockingly looked over them like they weren’t a big deal. Like there wasn’t a list of reasons why it was inconvenient for them to be together. She must have had sake before showing up. Yes, that had to be it.
Sakura snapped out of her worries when Kakashi pinched at her hip, she saw him tensed up and wrinkled her forehead, not understanding.
Kakashi was bringing into light every image and memories that would kill his hard on. He thought of death, the smell of spoiled food, trashy public restrooms, and Gai in speedos.
Sakura gasped and jumped. The burning sensation, pressing hard against her bottom was there. How could she not notice it? She was engrossed into her own head that she blatantly stayed firmly and directly put on Kakashi’s clothed groin.
She moved away as relaxed as she could master next to Kakashi.
For awhile, she looked on watching Ino shake Shikamaru up and Asuma squatting as a snoring Choji was pulled fully onto him.
She brought the back of her hand to her lips, trying to hide herself from Kakashi in some way. She gently bit the skin on her knuckles and forced herself to glance sideways as quickly as possible at Kakashi.
Kakashi’s eye was closed. He still looked tense and miserable. And it was her fault.
Sakura was painfully aware of Tsunade’s presence even though the blonde was already busying herself and a newly arrived Shizune to some drinks.
Genma left then, leaving Ino puffing her chest out in annoyance.
Sakura couldn’t stand it anymore so she dragged Kakashi away from the seats and outside without saying goodbye to anyone.
Kakashi happily let Sakura haul him to the icy breeze outside, he winced. He should have stayed in his room all day reading in peace. A breakup this soon was going to guarantee him a death sentence, “Tsunade is going to put me in a coma. I’m not ready.”
Sakura offered him a smile that didn’t meet her words or her eyes, “No, she won’t. Besides I said dating so it’s fine.”
Sakura walked fast pulling him in her urgent stride without thinking until they were inside her living room. She was safe and sound and almost panic free.
Kakashi was conflicted. He wanted to do so many things right now, and his mind was conjuring fantasies that were spiraling out of his control. A few frustrated pants escaped him and he made his way into her restroom. He wasted no time in asking for permission. Sakura knew why. And she flushed brightly, feeling hot that she knew exactly what was going to happen as the door to her bathroom closed shut.
She held her hot face, squeezing her eyes shut because she hadn’t thought things through. Everything was her fault. If only she’d walked out of the bar and said goodbye or later to Kakashi, he’d be in his own place taking care of his problem.
An hour or two passed by and she didn’t move from the living room. Sakura knew he’d transported himself long ago to his place from her restroom, but still, she felt so dirty.
The following day, she stayed put in her bedroom, rolling around, smiling at the image of Kakashi’s rough hand, unzipping and dropping his pants around his ankles and relieving himself in her toilet before she flung and kicked her legs, groaning ruefully into her pillow. She practically handled Kakashi like some kind of purse. What was she thinking? She created this mess when she threw herself on him. How could she face him again?
She went to work for three days and to her relief he was nowhere to be seen. Until one night. Knocks tapped against her window, a familiar tune made her take hold of her thin bed covers to cover half of her face. “I’m being stupid, I can’t avoid him forever,” she thought.
Maybe he came to apologize, though why would he? It wasn’t his fault, and it said a lot about him for seeking her first when it always came down to her to chase people down. Maybe, he wanted things to go back to normal. She wanted that more than everything.
She stood and tidied her cotton nightgown. It had been a birthday present from her mom, who disapproved of her worn out t-shirt and shorts. Oddly enough, when she inspected the gift she found herself liking it very much. It fitted her nicely and it was not confining in the slightest. The night gown was the typical color of white, but it wasn’t plain at all. There were buttons alined on her chest, although it was only an adornment. Otherwise, she would have stored it in her closet if it had an actual opening to her chest. Small, white ribbons and embroidery decorated her gown. Nothing to excessive or noticeable. Exactly her style.
She pulled her curtains and silver hair gleamed wonderfully in the night. She felt pretty in her nightgown and confidently came into his complete line of vision. His usual uniform was in place which made her smile. Did he have pajamas? or did he go to sleep in his uniform?
Kakashi’s headband was wrapped securely around his forehead. Two, dark eyes creased. His hand held in the air before he waved cutely and just like that everything fell into place. He could make her move on from something embarrassing by doing something so simple. Nothing has changed between them, just a silly mishap.
Sakura lifted her window up a few inches and Kakashi reached to raise it up, crouched and moved inside gracefully. They stood in comfortable silence. “I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly.
“But, it-,” Sakura was at a loss of words. He should be upset.
“I shouldn’t have invited you had I known what was going to happen. We could have gone somewhere else.”
“Ah, don’t worry about. Forget it. Come on,” she waved in the air and walked in the living room where Kakashi sat and breathed out loudly.
She smiled. He sounded so tired.
Sakura wasn’t interested in making tea or coffee, so she took out a new carton of orange juice from the fridge and made her way to sit next to Kakashi.
His eyes ventured to her nightgown. He has never seen her out of her baggy, oversized clothes.
“Like it?” she turned her shoulders his way as she picked on a tiny ribbon.
“Yes,” he said quietly taking her in, wishing he had his sharingan right about now. She looked like royalty, he has thought about this before, but she really did shine brightly. All the time.
“Do you want children Sakura,” his voice was smooth and serious.
“Me? Oh, um, yeah. Two if the first one is too quiet,” the short silence made her blush awkwardly.
“Would you like kids, Kaka-Sensei?”
Kakashi undid his headband and stared at his the symbol engraved on it, “Drop the Sensei, I’m your boyfriend.” He said teasingly.
Sakura shrugged and turned to face him. His eyes had a nice tint of silver if you were able to concentrate carefully in his eyes, which was difficult to do because he had a handsome face, or had a close up view while on his lap like she had, “It’s a habit, so do you?”
“I don’t know,” He straightened his back and lifted himself from the couch before he plopped gently down again and sighed comfortably. He was supposed to spend time with her at the bar, just as casual friends, not necessarily drinking, but he couldn’t think of anywhere else. His place was too boring and inappropriate, dinner was too formal, and the ramen shop was getting old.
“Tick-tock-tick-tock,” Sakura used her sing song voice. The whole ordeal at the bar left Sakura feeling icky and hot.
“Sakura...”
Talk about children and marriage always stressed him. It was something he never bothered to seriously think about. Ever since he turned 21 he would hear left and right about settling down. He was up to his neck then and even recent, but obvious attempts of people bringing it up made him act like an asshole. Even though it was him now bringing it up, it was purely out of curiosity.
He would have to see Tsunade in her office to make sure she wasn’t off that day. Was she serious? She approved of them just like that? What an insane old bat.
Sakura waited patiently, amazed that she wasn’t freaking out at the mention of marriage or children. She took a mouthful of juice and shook the carton in Kakashi face, which he took.
“Can’t handle the pressure?” she giggled.
The thought of Kakashi with his own children was unimaginable.
“No, I’m fragile,” He pulled his mask down, ignoring how Sakura was scooting closer to him. Like her, he sipped.
Sakura forced herself to tear her eyes away and decided to examine the tips of her hair, “Whatever. You’re pretty lucky, you have the luxury to sit back and relax. Women like older men, and older men prefer younger women anyway, so it won’t be a rigorous hunt or anything. I’m sure if you place an ad on Konoha Daily News, you’ll have hordes of civilians and kunoichi’s. Oh, and princesses and queens, how could I forget?”
Must be nice to be attractive and unhurried to settle down, maybe because Kakashi knew he could have it all overnight if he wanted to. Kakashi had endless amount of time to spawn.
He had it easy.
Kakashi settled the carton on the side table next to the couch, “Why? I already have a pretty girlfriend,” he smiled teasingly.
Sakura rolled her eyes and giggled at the sight of Kakashi’s beauty mark and dimples. Kakashi’s face was dangerous, without his mask, secrets were bound to be spilled.
It wasn’t everyday that she had a handsome man in her place, she might as well enjoy it for a moment, “Do you really want me to be your girlfriend?”
It half bothered her that this person was her former teacher. Out of all the guys in her village it had to be him who was awakening the butterflies within her.
“Do you want me to be your boyfriend?” his voice was quiet as if they were having this secretive conversation in the middle of a meeting.
“I asked first,” she meant to speak normally, but her voice matched his.
Kakashi closed his eyes and he pinched the bridge of his nose and signed gravelly. He turned to look at her and said, “Yes.”
Sakura frowned, “You’re messing with me, aren't you?”
Kakashi’s hand made his way to hers, but stopped midway and dropped it on his lap, “Why would I do that?”
She stared down at her knees wishing he said it was a poor joke instead, “Because you like to see how much you can get away with?”
He breathed out loudly, his eyebrow twitching. Surely, he wasn’t going to deny he was a pervert, but he wasn’t one to say sweet nothings to someone precious to him. “I think you’re mistaking me with Genma.”
You can count on him to lie about training time, or leave a little to early after having a bowl of ramen, but he wasn’t cruel, not to his students.
“Why? I’m, I don’t know, me,” she shrugged and scanned herself from head to knees with her hand as if it was painfully clear without having to utter a word. She held her breath, not wanting to go into detail.
“And I’m me, which makes us perfect for each other,” He smiled cutely. Though his face was covered now, she still broke into a smile.
“I can’t tell if you’re serious or not,” Sakura huffed, pressing her lips together, scrunching her face to get rid of her smile.
“I am attracted to you, Sakura. Does that weird you out?” he said quietly staring fixedly at the floor.
“A little. You’ve been around and you have experience. You were my teacher, and you could have anyone. Young and old. So why me? It kinda makes me anxious. Is it because Tsunade was okay with it? because I’m one hundred percent sure that if she wasn’t we wouldn’t be here.” Sakura crossed her arms and pondered.
“I have no interest in hurting you in any way,” the second he said it he regretted it. He sounded like a teenager all over again, but he knew in full certainty that he meant it.
“That’s something an untrustworthy man would say,” Sakura turned, finally, and rested her arm above the couch. She crossed her legs and sat on her side, leaning towards him. Her body language assertive for honesty.
"Is she messing with me," he thought breathlessly and wishing for his sharingan, to capture her exactly as she was.
“True. It's up to you to trust me, maybe take a leap of faith?” That’s all he was able to say.
He was experienced. He’s been around. He knew a thing or two about pleasing women without getting physical. He could be a good first boyfriend. Someone to teach her or guide her. Was this the right thing to do? All he knew was how he didn’t want Sakura to waste her time with horny, little boys. He’s had front row tickets on Sakura’s development and there’s one thing he was certain about. Sakura fell hard when she was in love.
Sakura was stubborn, count on her to reach the end of a bottomless sea and stay there, alone, in the darkness, waiting for the one. She was light...and she was bound to burn away if she refused to come up for air; thinking she could breath and become one with the darkness. She could someday, without a doubt, but she wouldn’t find happiness. The last thing he wanted was for her to pretend that she was.
“I’ve never even been kissed. Everyone knows I’m a loser. Why would you be interested? Unless you’re into amateurs? Is it because I’m younger than you? People will talk.” Sakura babbled, her expressions changing into insecurity, embarrassment, anger, distrust, and worry in just a split second.
Kakashi would like to say Sakura was like a book, sure, she was easy to read, and like a book she kept you on your feet for more.
No, Sakura was more like a painting; everything was out there in the open. He knew it wasn’t his right or place to go ahead with this, but Team 7 was composed of broken idiots, not that Sakura has never had her good share of sadness or pain, but not like the rest of them. She deserved good experiences. He has seen how some men looked at her, others in awe at her peculiar hair and her wide green eyes; others wanted to corrupt her. Eyeing her with their lecherous gazes, not caring, at the very least, about being inconspicuous.
“I can tell you that I’ve been interested in a certain bright, pink-haired, green-eyed, hot tempered, lovestruck mess,” he chuckled wondering if he should add a few more things just to get a kick out of her.
“Since?” she squinted her eyes.
“A few months after the war,” He said. He finally acknowledged Sakura as a young woman then when he saw the conviction in her eyes. She was going to fight honorably for her village, even if it killed her. There had been plenty of instances where Sakura and him regrouped and shared information. She never failed to offer herself the first chance she could in whatever plan that was cooked up. Sakura had been impatient, wanting to make a difference wherever she could. Any plan that sounded promising lit a fire in her eyes, he could have sworn they almost glowed green with her determination.
“And you’ve never made a move in these years because?” Her stare was glued to his eyes, deliberately searching.
“It would be weird for you? I’m not the only one who disappears on people.” He touched the back on his neck and shrugged.
“I’ve been busy. You wouldn’t know if you never tried.” She turned away, shielding her guilt from him.
“So, you’re saying that if I had made a move on you. You wouldn’t smack me upside the head, pack your bags and relocate to another village?” He said, craning his neck, a lopsided smile forming under his mask when she peaked from the corner of her eye and giggled.
“I’m not that extreme. I would smack you, but only if you sucked at not being thoughtful.” She poked him hard on his shoulder.
“We would never know will we?” He said, exaggerating a wince of pain.
“What about you? I bet if Tsunade-Sama hadn’t approved we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place. Actually we wouldn’t even be seeing each other this much,” Sakura brushed some hair behind her ear and pretended to inspect her clean nails. She grew quiet with sadness, she was already lucky enough to have him alone for a few minutes.
“If it weren’t for Ino you mean?” He teased and made an attempt to pinch her cheek, but she waved her hand in protest.
“Don’t. It’s too soon.” Sakura grimace, recalling her humiliation for trying to be social with the rest of the adults. It backfired horribly. She was so kind for not staying behind at the bar to rip Ino’s bangs from her scalp.
Oh, was Ino going to have a mouth full when she saw her, or should she give her the silent treatment?
“The world isn’t laughing at you.” She snapped back from her contemplation.
“The world doesn’t need to laugh in my face for me to know they say things behind my back.” She sulked, irritably.
“The whole world?”
“Obviously not. I meant the village.”
“No one really cares if you’ve done things or not. You’re different because it’s not meaningless to you. You didn’t rush into things. That’s rare for Shinobi’s.” Kakashi could only remember blurred faces of the women he’d spend a night with, but after awhile it became boring. The same, repeated positions and faceless, nameless women.
“I might be out of line and you can confirm once again that I am, indeed, a pervert, but I could show you.” He said growing nervous, what was he saying? What was he thinking?
“Show me?” She raised both eyebrows. It better not be perverted...
“How to kiss?” his eyes widened in surprise. He bit the tip of his tongue, he pushed to far. "Idiot, idiot, do you want to scare her away. Do you want to die?" he thought his Inner self shaking him by the collar of his shirt.
“Yep, you are a pervert.” She crossed her arms and shook her head.
“Your favorite pervert, hopefully? because I know I’m not your favorite teacher,” he said clasping his palms together in a prayer.
“For obvious reasons,” She kicked him playfully.
“I suppose I could just daydream about kissing you?” He held his chin and closed his eyes.
“Watch it, Ha-ta-ke. I swear you and Genma are one in the same. You were my teacher. You are my friend that I don’t push and whack around as often as the others. But I’m not sure if I should ever trust you with my dumb heart,” she said a warning in her voice.
“You can. I promise I’ll cherish you and your dumb heart,” He tipped his head to the side. Puppy dog eyes piercing her chest. The cuteness! How in the even?
His power was incomprehensible...
“How?” she said quietly. She looked up at him, waiting, holding her breath.
“Like this.” He came to level with her and stopped when he reached her forehead. The soft fabric of his mask pressed against her skin. The feeling ended as fast as it came.
“That’s it?” she made the mistake of looking up because he looked down. She froze firmly in place. Their lips were almost brushing. She didn’t dare to move an inch.
Kakashi wasn’t moving away. She gulped silently and carefully, not wanting to dispel whatever was happening or what could take place.
“You want one on lips?” He murmured.
Their eyes captured each other. Sakura only cooed in consent. She felt light, last time she checked she was sitting down? Was she floating? Having a dream?
She thought she was quivering in delight, but she didn’t know for sure. She felt alive, like when she experienced a life or death situation, “Only if you take your time. I want a slow kiss like in the movies,” if this was going to happen it might as well go her way. It was now or never.
Kakashi leaned in and brushed his nose against hers before pressing his lips against her full ones. He parted her lips with his own and kissed her, slow and gentle, but it was limited.
She wanted real contact. She wanted a bare kiss, a taste of Kakashi Hatake.
“Anything else?” He wanted to hold her, kiss her for hours on end. He was calm as if he was meant to be doing this at this very moment.
This was unlike his experiences where he got straight to business and into bed. But, right now he wanted to kiss her. That’s it. Hell, he could only kiss her like this for years on end and be perfectly content without a single complaint.
“Then you can kiss me the same way again, but without your mask,” he leapt, soared in the moment. She wanted to kiss him, and not somebody else.
He inched his mask, ever so slowly, until it rested around his neck. His face was bare and he felt vulnerable. Kakashi’s lips found hers again. He brushed his lips against her in feather like kisses, planting them with care and without selfish hunger.
Time stood still for Sakura, she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck; to bring him closer, to deepen the moment. But, she was afraid he would freak if she acted like her arms belonged around him. So, she sat perfectly still with her eyes closed, encased in his presence hovering over her. A rough, calloused hand touched her face and lifted her face further up.
Sakura crooned gleefully, wanting to live forever in this moment. He hummed low in agreement and sighed as everything disappeared; the tension in his shoulders, the weight of life rolling and fading.
This meant something more. This was different. This was Sakura.
He ended their series of kisses with a final kiss to her temple, “What else?”
Sakura breathed him in discreetly. Knowing and fearing that she was already reading too much into this. She pinched the end of the front pocket in his vest, hating herself for wanting more from him; her fingers turning white. She didn’t want to get attached. Not again.
Kakashi keenly observed wondering if she was filled with regret. Had he made her life difficult already? He went out on a whim and took her hand on his vest with his, he stared fixedly into her eyes. She brought her free hand and raked it hesitantly along his muscled arm.
He stood up and gently pulled her up. He seemed to understand because he took both of her wrists and wrapped them around his neck as he did so he kissed her forehead and the top of her head, taking in her flowery scent.
Sakura’s heart began drubbing, she covered her face in his neck. She felt exalted in his enveloping arms. A perfect moment like this one was what she was waiting for this whole time. She was also confused, a silver haired man wasn’t supposed to be holding her or kissing her the way he just did. No matter how perfect it was or how ridiculously attractive he was. A mixture of conflicting thoughts swam in her mind. She didn’t want to feel or be this way anymore. She wanted to enjoy the here and now, with Kakashi Hatake.
She tore herself away from his embrace, cleared her throat. It was now or never, “You take me somewhere nice. I’ll wear a nice dress and you’ll treat me like a lady?”
“I can do that,” he said softly.
Sakura almost crushed him in a hug, a part of her was prepared to hear a moronic reply and be crushed in disappointment. Perhaps, if she had had experiences like Ino she would be able to resist feeling like Kakashi was the most considerate man in the world.
He couldn’t be. She was taking things out of proportion, like always.
“Why have you had similar requests?” she grumbled.
“I’m supposed to be a mystery to you not suspicious,” He said in amusement. He damned his reputation in his head wishing he’d had laid low more and slept around less.
“Like you said I’m lovestruck,” Sakura said, she shrugged crestfallen.
“Ah, so, you’re in love with me already?” He chuckled lightly trying to dissuade her sadness from taking over.
“Get over yourself,” she scoffed and pushed him away light-heartedly.
“You might fall in love with me, is that it?” he smiled teasingly, “Hmm, I’m not against it.”
Sakura chewed on her lip and frowned, “You wouldn’t be, I would be just another fangirl.”
"I wish, but it's nothing like that," he said. He wished her a good night sleep and kissed her goodbye.
Sakura decided to go for a walk around for an hour or two the following day. As much as she wanted to stay indoors, she realized that she had taken for granted not going out for fresh air every time she was stuck in the hospital.
On a bench, she found Iruka looking glum. His hair was down and slightly tangled, which was unusual because he always had a neat ponytail.
“Iruka-Sensei, what’s the matter” she smiled compassionately.
Iruka then began to fumble in his seat and hastily began to brush his hair with his hand while stretching the rubber band with the other.
“Oh, you haven’t heard from the hokage yet? Sasuke is back,” Iruka’s smile faltered and faded, “Naruto went to see him at the hokage’s tower.”
He sniffed, did his ponytail, and vanished into smoke.
Knowing Naruto he probably did something thoughtless. Her guess was that the second Iruka told Naruto about Sasuke, Naruto came up with a lame excuse to kick him out.
Sakura’s eyes brightened and she swallowed nervously. So Sasuke was back? For how long? She cursed a series of words.
Naruto had beaten her to him first.
Her heart leaped gleefully as she quickened her pace. She paused several times to examine her reflection on the stores glass. Sakura wanted to mentally rehearse what she would say but her mind shifted elsewhere. Her thoughts were consumed with Kakashi lately, which weirded her out because they weren’t seriously dating in the beginning, but now, well she had a date.
She covered her mouth. She was not excited and that wasn’t a smile reflecting back at her. Sakura trotted again. She was half angry and half pleased. Kakashi was somebody she wasn’t supposed to find attractive or pleasant in that way, but it also made her giggle how it felt to be so close to him in public, in front of his friends and having Tsunade show up when she typically got drunk in her office alone.
Kakashi didin't deny her then, in front of the people that knew him, she was thankful for that. Will he let the world know they were serious if they decided to be exclusive?
Imagining telling people that her former teacher was her boyfriend sent her in a misfit of uncontrollable giggles.
People stopped to stare at her. She must look so mental, squealing like a twelve year old girl. When was the last time she felt like her feelings where going to burst free?
Sakura didn’t manage to get away unnoticed when she spotted a full-figured woman speaking to Kakashi. For the tenth time this weekend she gave an exaggerated eye roll.
This was exactly why Kakashi had to be messing around with her. Why her? When he could have a busty and curvaceous woman?
Perhaps, it was the fact that she was young. Yup, that had to be it. She should punch him next time and everything would go back to normal.
Her breath caught in her throat when her eyes met a flash of silver, “What are you doing?” Sakura balled her fists.
“Bumping into you?” He blinked innocently.
Sakura bit the inside of her cheek from preventing a smile to form, “Didn’t you see my eye roll?”
Kakashi squinted, “I left my glasses at home.”
She raised a pink eyebrow, “Weren’t you busy?”
Kakashi shrugged, “Not anymore.”
The same woman passed by them and picked up the pace when her eyes met Sakura’s, “What did you tell her?”
“Not much. Only that she should leave me alone unless she wanted to face my wonderful, but overprotective girlfriend,” he touched his heart and looked dreamily into the distance.
Sakura groaned and tried to locate the woman, but she was nowhere to be seen, “Kakashi! What if she files a complaint against me?”
“But you saved my life! It’s the reason you get up in the mornings, so thank you for your service,” he bowed down halfway and Sakura pulled him up roughly from his vest looking embarrassed.
Sakura hissed, but kept her voice down, “If I get in trouble, I’m going to tell everyone how I found you with some other woman in my bedroom. Tsunade-Sama will make sure you become a missing person.”
Kakashi stuffed his hands in his pockets and sank his shoulders, “That’s not fair. I haven’t been unfaithful to you and I don’t intend to.”
Sakura stomped on the ground sending a small tremor under Kakashi’s feet, “Then, stop using me to ward off women.”
“Then, stop using me to make Sasuke jealous,” Kakashi said reproachfully. His eyes were serious and they seemed to trap her for an eternity.
“I wasn’t!” Sakura’s eyes ran in all directions hoping Sasuke wasn’t anywhere near to hear them, “You know he’s back?! And why would you say that?” She was taken aback, confused. Where did that come from?
“Of course. It’s my job to know these things. Just in case you come up with the idea, so don’t ask me. I won’t play along,” He pulled out his Icha Icha and pretended to bury himself in his perverted world. “I don’t deserve this treatment. Just when are you going to respect me the way I deserve?”
“Oh my god. You, drama queen,” a look of annoyance was plastered on her face. Sakura scoffed. Unbelievable! She wouldn’t use him.
She wasn’t even sure if she wanted Sasuke to know she was dating their ex-teacher. How would he react? Would he care?
“No wonder I slept with another woman,” Kakashi chuckled teasingly as Sakura raised her tiny fist warningly.
“Stop,” she whined.
“Then don’t use me, Sakura,” he said casually.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to,” She threw her hands in the air and playing along, but then she bit her lip, ”What if I can't enjoy my date with you? I-I’m just not over Sasuke...I still have some hope.” Her chest churned, she wished things were simple like turning of a light switch, but in her case, she wanted to shut off those lingering emotions towards Sasuke.
“What about me? Am I just a game to you?” Kakashi chuckled.
“No, of course not. What a fool I’ve been for taking my one true soul mate for granted,” she pushed him playfully, “It did start off as a game or did you forget already, old man.”
“Ah, so you are taking advantage of me. I’m the poor victim in this relationship and no one is going to believe me.” He wiped his dry eyes with the back of his hands and bent forward.
Sakura clicked her tongue and stared at the sky with a tremendous sigh escaping her, “Stop it. I am not taking advantage of you! you lazy, tardy, perv.”
Kakashi threw a helpless hand in the air while the other made way to cover his face, “See? Verbal abuse,” he muttered a fake sob, "Sakura, I won't blame you for having hope, you've like him for years," he said seriously, "just try. Give yourself a chance with me."
“Just kill me,” groaned Sakura to the gods above, "You say the right things, you know? I can't help, but wonder just how many times you've said stuff like this to women."
“Where are you taking me?” Kakashi said in false panic as Sakura took his dark blue sleeve.
“To see Sasuke. Why, have you seen him?” Sakura whipped her head, her hair tickling his neck and chin. His nose catching a whiff of a different flower-scented shampoo.
He stood up straight, his bad posture long forgotten, and hid a usual hand in his pocket. “No. I can see him later. Or he could come see me. Why don’t we go to my place?” he said, annoyed.
Maybe, he should disappear for some years with a bad bunch. He cared for Sasuke, but he wasn’t worried about him. Not really, not anymore.
“Why? Does Pakkun need a bath? Is Mr. Ukki dying?”
“To make out,” he teased and shook his arm, breaking free, but quickly grasped a hold of her hand, bringing it up and pressing it against his lips.
“Kakashi!” Sakura jumped back, a blush adorning her face. She pulled her hand and stared at it.
“You don’t want to?” he chuckled darkly.
“I-I, so sudden! Why?” Her heart was skipping all over the place. He had to do something like that in public and she just had to blush and react like he’d done something romantic.
Kakashi looked different in her eyes. He was a man and his attention baffled her into a ball of overwhelming giddiness.
“Because I don’t like Sasuke right now,” Kakashi said forcefully. He was not jealous of a teenager, he told himself. He did not wish he was many, many years younger now.
He was simply being playful towards Sakura. She was attractive, yes, but them? Together in a relationship? Please.
God, he wished she was older. Kakashi glared at the distance, his fists balled into tight fists; remembering clearly how he once hated everything and everyone because he was unlucky, always. In so many ways.
“You’re not serious,” Sakura stared confused and in wonder. Kakashi was pissed and it couldn’t possibly be because of Sasuke’s return. Not her. It wasn’t her. Not at all. Nope.
Yes, Kakashi was attractive and his attention made her happy. They were simply spending quality time together. That’s it.
Things were being decided between them, nothing was set in stone. What they thought they had was just a work in progress. Nothing might happen in the end. This was new terrain, completely experimental.
The sun was beating down on them, or that’s how Sakura felt. She was warm all over. Her hands her sweaty, her chest felt tight, and she was breathing too carefully. Not that anyone could hear them anyway. Everyone was about their day, chatting and shopping. No one was paying them no mind.
“...” Kakashi cursed at himself and pushed his idiotic thoughts away to unpack later.
“You’re messing with me,” Sakura concluded.
He was acting, surely, and she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Should she approach him and slap him on the back playfully?
“No, I-you should go see Sasuke. I think I forgot to water Mr. Ukki,” Kakashi held out his hand and began walking away into the busy street.
“Hey, no. What’s with you? You don’t get to shut yourself away. It’s not fair.” Sakura could’ve let him go, but not like this. He’s never been this vocal or open about his feelings.
A glimpse to this new side of him was all it took for Sakura to hold on to him. He was trying his best and she could see that, Kakashi was a hell of an actor when he needed to be, but they were in public right now. This was so unlike him, she was positive he was serious.
She reached and grabbed his arm and let her hand slide off the long sleeved fabric.
He grasped her hand in his and squeezed it gently, “You’re too good for him, Sakura. He doesn't deserve you.”