Authors Note:
HI THERE! It's been literally ages since I've put anything on here! So I hope you all are as excited as I am about what's to come. I have gotten a lot of good response and continue to get great reviews and support for In Case of Blue Scroll. I can only hope that this next journey will be as entertaining and pleasing for all of you!
Just a quick note on what you are about to read – in this timeline Kakashi is not Hokage.
That's it! I hope you have fun and that we all get to travel down a smutty little thing together again! I promise to try not to leave too many things hanging for too long!
As always – reviews fuel the fire!
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The sun rose over Konohagakure and illuminated the dark, sleepy streets of the city. People began to rise excitedly from their beds in anticipation of the days' events. Their hearts aflutter with the promise of the grand festivities to take place later that day as they celebrated Naruto and Hinata's wedding. Visitor's had been arriving for days making the air in the village buzz with excitement. The air was thick with happiness and frivolity across the town – except in one unfortunate bedroom.
A young, pink-haired medic lay half sheathed under sheets in bed as she stared up at the ceiling despondently. It was mid-summer and the weather was hot. Her window was open and she could hear the city begin to rise in preparation for the day. She sighed, turned over and buried her head in her pillows. She had to get up soon but wished she could go back to sleep.
Sakura was happy for them – she really was. Naruto and Hinata were in love. The kind of love she wanted to have. The kind of love she thought she had with Sasuke but it was only too obvious that he would never be able to give that to her. Sakura had continued to wait for him after the war. She was sure he would return home and they could start their lives anew. That they would fall in love. But he had gone off again on a mission of repentance only coming back 3 measly times since the war and that was mostly to visit Naruto. Sasuke wasn't even going to be there for the wedding – one of the biggest and most romantic days of Naruto's life.
Sakura had found this out a month ago when Sasuke had returned unexpectedly for a week-long visit. She had hoped he would stay until the wedding and had been elated to spend time with him. They had all been out celebrating when Sasuke told her he was leaving soon and didn't know when he would return. Sakura had asked him to stay but he had merely shrugged and started to walk away. That's when Sakura snapped. She could see what her future would be if she continued to pursue him this way. She would be left behind in Konohagakure – always waiting his return. Constantly alone as her friends moved on. He would not give her the love she wanted. The passion she craved.
Sakura groaned as the memories flooded back to her and she got out of bed. She hadn't handled herself too well that night. Albeit she had just beaten Naruto in a drinking contest but it likely didn't excuse punching the unsuspecting Uchiha through 16 walls. Luckily, Tsunade had found the situation quite funny and patted her on the back for being a strong woman. Sasuke had slipped out of Konoha quietly after that. They were no longer an item.
Sakura pulled herself out of bed and began to get read for the day. The ceremony began at 1PM and she had wasted enough time already. She really was happy for Naruto and Hinata. It was just unfortunate timing. She would stop being self centered once she was there and could see how happy her friends were. She would make sure of it.
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The Ceremony had been beautiful. The bride and groom were stunning together. Sakura, and nearly every other person in the attendance, had gotten teary eyed as the pair said their vows. The Bride and Groom had kissed and the festivities started shortly after. Sakura had been good. She had only thought about how lonely she was enough times to count on one hand. Sure, she had forgotten how many drinks she had had but that was fine. It was a party after all.
Currently, Sakura was standing close to the bar at a cocktail table nursing her latest drink. A happy buzz spread throughout her body and she watched people have fun around her. She could see Hinata and Naruto dancing happily amongst the crowd. Ino and Sai were making out at their table – which was why Sakura had walked to the bar in the first place. Shikamaru and Temari had slipped off a while ago which pleased Sakura just fine. She needed less reminders that she was alone.
"This is a happy occasion Sakura, not a funeral." A familiar voice said beside her.
Sakura snorted and downed the rest of her drink. She chose not to reply.
"Ignoring me now? Really? Is that anyway to treat your favourite Sensei?"
Sakura side glared at her former teacher. He was leaning against the cocktail table next to her, his own dark drink in his hand. Sakura hadn't had the opportunity to talk or really see him the whole night as he had been seated at a table with high status visitors from the other hidden villages. Kakashi was wearing dark clothes that could almost be mistaken for formal wear but were still ninja-gear. He had forgone his forehead protector and his hair was loosely settled across his forehead - barely obscuring his two coal colored eyes. She could barely see the outline of a smirk in his mask.
"Don't start with me sensei. Everyone knows my favourite teacher is Tsunade-hime."
Kakashi chuckled and swirled the drink in his hand before sipping it through his mask. "I know you just tell people that to avoid her wrath."
Sakura felt laughter bubble through her lips. "Where is she anyways? Normally she sticks close to the bar at events."
Kakashi surveyed the reception. "Well, she forced me to have a few more drinks than I wanted. I saw her an hour ago with Hiashi-san but haven't seen her since."
"Ah, that reminds me," Sakura gestured her empty glass at Kakashi as she moved back to the bar for a refill. Kakashi downed the remainder of his own drink and pushed off the table to follow her.
The Hyuuga's had gifted the wedding reception with an open bar, much to the delight of the guests, and the genuine glee of Tsunade. The night was still young and guests continued to take advantage of the Hyuuga's hospitality. The bartenders looked frazzled as Kakashi and Sakura waited for their drinks.
"So, Sasuke didn't come?" Kakashi said – his back against the bar as he looked toward the dancing crowd.
Sakura fought the irritation rising in her blood. "Nope," she replied with a pop.
Kakashi glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. "Something happen?"
Sakura groaned as she grabbed her drink from the bar. "You don't know?"
Kakashi grabbed his own drink and turned to her, shaking his head in reply.
"Well, for starters him and I are no longer him and I." Sakura took a generous gulp of her drink.
"What?"
Sakura sighed in frustration. "We ended. He told me he wasn't going to be here for the wedding and it just clicked. I'm not waiting for that."
Kakashi was silent for a moment and she stared at him – awaiting a reply.
"Ah."
"Ah? That's all you have to say?"
Kakashi took a large sip of his drink before looking at her. "Well, took you long enough."
Sakura's mouth fell open. "What?"
Kakashi looked slightly surprised by his own words as he stared at the drink in his hand. "Nothing, slip of the tongue."
Sakura stared at him hard. "Slip of the tongue? Really?"
"Yea," he took another sip. "So, what exactly happened?"
Sakura rolled her eyes, finished her drink and motioned for another from the bartender. Heat traveled down her chest as the alcohol settled in her stomach. She glanced back at Kakashi who was staring at her expectantly. It was weird seeing him with both his eyes and his hair uninhibited by the forehead protector. His hair still defied gravity but the way it fell on his forehead made him look younger than usual. Or maybe that was his two eyes staring at her that she wasn't used to. She had never really realized how handsome just his eyes were. Her body buzzed as she shook that thought off and blamed the alcohol. She collected her new drink and immediately took a gulp.
"Well, he came back through town a month ago and stayed for a week remember?"
"I was on a mission at the time actually." Kakashi collected another drink for himself – which was odd because she couldn't recall seeing him finish his last drink. As he turned to face her again, he was jostled by the crowd forming around them – all clearly trying to take advantage of the free drinks. Sakura watched as he stumbled and bit back a snicker. "Let's move away from the mass of mooching drinkers," he said bitterly as he led her away from the crowded bar.
They managed to find a small cocktail table as the crowd thickened around them. Sakura looked around and noticed that only couples remained on the dance floor – embracing as the band played a romantic slow song. The rest of the crowd had moved to the bar. Kakashi's arm brushed hers as he was jostled into her by the crowd. Sakura's eyes met his expectant ones and she knew he was waiting for her to continue with her story.
"Well, he came by a month ago. Stayed a week. We all went out for drinks, and now that you mention it, I don't remember seeing you there. Not that you ever join us anyways," she stumbled as someone pushed by her and felt her body lean against Kakashi's. Her skinned buzzed from the alcohol and not from the feel of his body on hers.
"I've been out before. I distinctly remember eating ramen with you and Naruto quite frequently," Kakashi said.
"I meant out to the bar," Sakura laughed. She wasn't quite sure but she could swear Kakashi had moved closer to her. She looked down at her drink. Maybe she should stop. Next to her Kakashi took another sip.
"Irrelevant," he mumbled.
"Anyway, I asked if he was looking forward to Naruto's wedding and he told me he wasn't going to be there. I tried convincing him to go, to stay until the wedding. But he ignored me and started walking away." Sakura felt herself getting angrier with each word and took a long drink from her glass. "So, I knocked him through 16 walls."
Kakashi burst out laughing next to her which immediately erased any anger Sakura had been feeling. The arm that had been against her was raised up as his hand went to the back of his head. She felt the laughter roll off of him as his body swayed next to hers. A woman at the table behind them bumped into him as he laughed, causing him to stumbled Sakura's way. His arm came down to steady himself but brushed down her back instead of the table. Kakashi looked down at her as he continued to snicker. She just smiled back up at him. He didn't move his arm.
"He didn't take that well, did he?" he asked.
Sakura smirked. "I don't know. I left him there. I think Naruto got him. Either way, I'm done with him."
"S'good," Kakashi slurred as he took another swig of his drink. "He's not capable of giving you want you want."
Sakura opened her mouth to ask Kakashi what he knew about what she wanted but felt his hand loosely setting on her hip opposite him and closed her mouth. What was happening? She could feel his arm across her back. She glanced at his face, saw that he was looking down at her and immediately blushed and looked down at her drink. A smile spread across her face despite herself. He must be really drunk, she thought to herself. Had she ever seen him drunk?
"So, what are you going to do now?" he asked.
"Uh, what do you mean? Nothing different? Work at the hospital?" She stumbled on her words as she felt her body heat up.
Kakashi's torso moved against her as he took another drink. "Figured you might want a change."
She looked up at him and he glanced back down to her. "What do you mean?"
Kakashi placed his empty drink sloppily on the table and she wondered how well he could hold his liquor and how many drinks he had actually had that night.
"You managed to knock Sasuke Uchiha through 16 walls. Don't you think your talents could be used outside of the hospital?"
"Go on missions again? With what team, sensei? Naruto just got married and is preparing to take over for Tsunade- hime soon and the rest of my options are already on well established squads."
"Don't call me sensei anymore, Sakura," he said lowly. She felt his hand flex against her hip and bit her lower lip. "I'm heading out on a mission tomorrow and could use back-up."
Sakura's heart hammered in her chest as her head whipped to look up at him. In the 3 years since the war he had never asked her to go on a mission with him. She hadn't actually been on a squad with him since before the war, now that she thought about it. He was always sent on S class missions – typically solo ones.
"I actually need a partner for this one and couldn't think of a better person for the job," he smiled down at her.
"I dunno – I'd slow you down –"
"No, you wouldn't, Sakura." He said quietly. He had gotten a lot closer to her – so close she could smell the whisky on his breath. "Believe me. You are far better than you give yourself credit for."
Sakura felt his hand lightly stroke her side and continued to stare at him slightly open mouthed as a blush stretched across her cheeks. The way he was looking at her made her knees quiver. She had absolutely no idea what was going on. She could swear he was hitting on her – but Kakashi-sensei wouldn't do that.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI!"
They both stopped and looked up to see Naruto running towards them.
"Sakura-Chan! I haven't seen you-" he pointed at Sakura, "or you –" he pointed at Kakashi, "in- what, hours, don't you know?" Naruto slid to a stop against their table, laughing. "Can you believe Teme missed this? Stupid ass!" He looked at both of them with tears in his eyes. "When will Team 7 be Team 7 again!"
Sakura thought Kakashi would have moved away by now but he hadn't. Naruto didn't even seem to notice how closely Kakashi was standing to her. How he was basically holding her.
"Ah, you guys! My best friends!" Naruto began openly sobbing now.
"Naruto, I think you should find your wife and get outa here," Kakashi laughed as he waved to Hinata to come collect her mess of a husband.
"Hinata! My beautiful Hinata! Have I ever told you how beautiful you are, Hinata?" Naruto pawed at his wife as she wrapped her arm around him in support.
"Yes," she laughed delicately. "I do think it is time we retire for the evening. I hope you both enjoyed yourselves?" She glanced at them both and paused at their proximity.
Sakura was still too stunned by everything to speak.
"YES! I hope you enjoyed everything, guys!" Naruto shouted as he launched at them both and gripped them in a bear hug – forcing them apart unknowingly.
"Yes, yes, Naruto," Sakura said. "Now get off me." She pushed him off and distanced herself. Hinata once again collected her husband.
"It is getting late. I'll walk you home Sakura." Kakashi gently grabbed her arm and turned her away from the bride and groom. Sakura was too shocked to refuse and just waved goodbye to Hinata and Naruto as Kakashi guided her out of the reception.
As they walked, Sakura knew she was drunk. She could barely contain her giggles as they stumbled through the trees on the path towards town. She was still very confused about Kakashi. His hands kept wandering across her arm and back as they walked. She kept telling herself he was helping her walk – steadying her – but that didn't stop the tingling of her skin wherever he touched.
"Why do you keep giggling?" he slurred.
Sakura laughed harder at his question. "I don't know. Why do you keep touching me?"
Kakashi snickered but didn't stop his hand. "I don't know," he replied softly. "Do you want me to stop?"
Sakura halted in her steps, causing Kakashi to stop as well. She looked at him drunkenly and smiled. "No."
Kakashi stared at her for a moment before a smile spread to his eyes. Sakura felt both of his arms slide around her hips and he guided her off the path and into the forest. "Kami, I am drunk," he whispered.
"Me too," she laughed. Her heart was fluttering in her chest as he continued to guide her backwards.
"You'll come tomorrow, right?"
"Eh? Come to what?" she felt her back press into a tree. She could still hear the sound of the reception but could no longer see the path.
"The mission. Just be at the gates for noon – pack for a couple weeks." Kakashi closed the space between them and reached one hand up to her face. "You look very pretty tonight, Sakura."
Sakura felt like her heart was in her throat. What was he doing? What were they doing? Since when did Kakashi look so good? Since when was he like this? Since when did he smell so nice? His hands felt nice.
"Kakashi, what are we –," before she could speak his lips were pressing into hers and Sakura's world exploded. All rational thought was lost as she felt his lips, his bare lips, against hers, shortly followed by his tongue. She could taste the whisky he had been drinking all night but she didn't care. One of his hands was pulling her head to him and the other was sliding along her side. Sakura's hands slid into his hair as her tongue slid against his.
Kakashi pressed more firmly into her as both his hands slid around her back. Sakura felt his knee push her legs slightly apart. She did not resist and wrapped her leg around him as he pushed her up against the tree. His hands cupped her ass as he encouraged her to wrap her other leg around him.
"Hinata said they went this way and that they were both barely holding themselves up, Shizune," said a voice from the path. "How dare they both leave without saying a proper goodbye. Sakura didn't even have a drink with me!"
Sakura and Kakashi paused, out of breath.
"My lady, they are probably both home already. There's no point – "
"Not likely. Hinata said we just missed them and if they are as drunk as she said they were I doubt they got very far. Hatake can't handle his drink at all. And Sakura's been in a mood, so I am sure she nearly drank the bar under."
Sakura felt Kakashi shift his weight unsteadily beneath her. She could feel herself start to slip and tried to pull herself up but Kakashi lost his balance and nearly fell backwards.
"Did you hear that? It's probably them!" Tsunade shouted.
"It's probably an animal, my lady," Shizune replied.
"I bet you they are both passed out on the side of the path. It came from over here."
Footsteps began to approach them and both Sakura and Kakashi pushed away from each other at the same time. Sakura's back hit the tree and she slid down to the earth as Kakashi tripped behind him and landed on the ground.
"See, Shizune! I was right," Tsunade yelled. "Now, the two of you owe me a round of drinks."
Sakura didn't know what to say. Apparently Kakashi didn't either as both just stared up at Tsunade, dumbfounded.
"What's wrong with you two? Get up."
"My Lady, I think we should get them home."
Tsunade glared down at them both.
"Yes, we both have a mission tomorrow and need to sleep this off," Kakashi said as he brushed himself off and clamored to his feet.
"You both?" Tsunade looked down at Sakura, surprise stretch across her features. "Really, Sakura?"
Sakura felt a surge of anger at her mentor's tone. Did she not believe she could do it? Kakashi believed she could.
"Yes." She said, hoping it sounded defiant.
Tsunade paused as she stared calculatingly at Sakura. "Okay, I'll put you on the roster for that mission and get coverage for a couple months at the hospital. Shizune let's get them home."
Sakura balked internally. A couple months? She felt Kakashi trying to help her to her feet and looked at him. He smiled back at her and began walking towards town.
Sakura started walking in line with her mentor as she stared at Kakashi's back. What just happened?
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