Author's Note: Sorry I took a while. I think I'll be updating chapters on a weekly basis. Next to go is SP (Strawberry Poison) ch.5:D I'm still experimenting with the 'sensual' scenes, but I think I'm improving(: Maybe? No? Review? And subscribe! Something BIG is to come in the third chapter of LPF! Stay tuned, lovelies~
That night, I slept like a baby. I hadn't slept that well in days, no, weeks! Maybe it was the sweet scent that teased my nostrils. Or the fact that I had taken a nice relaxing bath the night before that made my slumber perfect. Even if it was on a pull-out mattress, it felt like a Tempurpedic bed to me, and I couldn't have been more content.
But, I woke up to a house that was so still, and I could hear the clock on the wall ticking, which brought an eerie vibe to the room. I sat up and remained quiet while I listened hard to hear if there was any movement at all from my housemate, but the only sound that passed through my ears was total and complete silence. That is, until the alarm went off.
I screamed in fright and accidentally fell off the cushion and onto the floor, with my face kissing the carpet. My body didn't move for a moment, but the siren was starting to annoy me, and I got up slowly and yanked the cord out of the outlet. But when I turned around, I notice that next to the incense stand that was on the small coffee table, there was a upright card that was bent in half and read, 'To Sakura' on the front.
I raise my eyebrows in interest while I walked over to the table and flipped open the piece of paper while I read the cursive black ink.
'Good morning, Pinky. Now, if you haven't woken up by 1, the alarm will gladly help you. As you may have noticed, I'm not there right now, because I went out to run a few errands. There are a few small clothes of mine in my room that you can wear if you need to change. Do me a favor and try not to snoop around my room because I'm going to let you know right now, you won't find anything. Also, try not to burn the house down. I'll be back at 3:45.'
"That bastard, why couldn't he have let me sleep?" I groaned as I stared at the bottom right corner of the card, seeing a small scarecrow, but I didn't know why it was there, nor did I care.
It was awfully boring without someone in a house so spacious and empty. It made me wonder if Kakashi was lonely at times, but I shook it off while I folded up the mattress and took a quick shower and when I was done, I saw that it was only 1:37, not believing that time was passing so slowly.
Then, I remembered.
His room, I thought to myself, letting an evil chuckle slip out while I opened the door and looked around the room, a bit surprised by what I saw.
It was nothing like the other rooms. The blinds were shut, the bed was a mess, and I smelled the faint scent of alcohol on the comforter of the cot. Piles and folders of papers were scattered everywhere and I looked through some of them, seeing hordes and hordes of kanji and who knows what else splattered all over the sheets, but it was no use since I hadn't a half-assed guess what it said.
I then walked over to the closet, which appeared pretty much normal. Its odor was completely different from the room's, and it smelled like…him, but then again, that's to be expected.
My hands shuffled through the horde of clothes on the hangers and I grabbed a few that looked undersized compared to the other garments and snatched a solid black shirt that caught my attention. I pull it out and feel that the texture was stretchy and thin, but for some reason, the neck was really long.
To make sure I wasn't hallucinating, I took off the shirt I was wearing and tried the new one on, but something looked off when I glanced at my reflection. The length of the bottom of the shirt wasn't a problem; it ended a couple of inches below my butt. But the problem was with the neck. All that excess material that was folded up at my neck looked a bit strange. I pulled it down a bit, but that didn't solve the problem entirely. Then, I felt the man's scent waft through my nostrils and the image of him popped in my mind, mask and all.
That was it! The mask!
I tested my theory as I pulled the material over my mouth, and in the mirror, I saw Kakashi wearing the exact same thing (but with pants). Overall, the shirt (or whatever the heck it was) fit me like a glove, but it felt kinda odd wearing something as stretchy and as slim as this. But I had to admit, it did make me look good. It complimented my curves, and I could help but smile because I looked amazing in it. Who says girls can't wear guys' clothes?
I looked up at the clock, reading '3:21' and I had absolutely nothing to do.
I sighed as I took a seat on the windowsill and looked around, seeing that everything seemed to lack the luster that they once had when I first came in here. Now that I was the only one, it just felt like objects that would just get in my way of walking. I sighed as I closed my eyes and tried to clear my head from this forlorn feeling I had.
"Okay. If you have any problems at all-"
"I know, Naruto, I'll call you!"
I ran towards the phone on the kitchen counter and quickly dialed in my best friend's number, waiting anxiously for each ring to pass so I could talk to him.
"Uh, hello?"
"Naruto!"
"…S-Sakura? What number are you calling from?"
"A friend's. You're on speaker. Now-"
"Who's this 'friend'?" He asked with a bit of an edge.
"Someone I met at Jiraiya's and-"
"You did it already, huh?"
"Actually, no," I said as I took a seat on the counter and swung my feet.
"…What? Is he gay?"
"He didn't seem like it."
"Well, tell me what he looks like."
"Silver hair, he looks like he's 23, fit, he has one blue eye and one red, tall, lean, muscular-"
"Fit and muscular are the same thing," Naruto grumbled.
"Jealous?" I teased.
"No way! He seems like a freak! Some taste in men you have!"
I giggled at his response, hearing him laugh along with me. Once our mirth calmed down, he let out an 'ah' before speaking again.
"So, what's his name?"
"You're awfully curious today."
"So what if I am? It's rarely that you tell me about your clients."
"You have a point. Well, his name is Kakashi Hatake. But there is something odd about him."
"I knew it," Naruto hissed, but I heard him.
"I never said he was perfect, you dumbass."
"It sure seemed like it, the way you were describing him. 'Tall, lean, muscular,'" He mocked.
"Shuddup," I grumbled as I hopped off the counter and behind it so I could raid the fridge. "It's not my fault if he's kinda cute."
He was silent then, and I thought about what I had said, wondering why there was such an uncomfortable stillness.
"Sakura," Naruto said in a cautious tone.
"I know, I know, I won't get attached, don't worry."
"Promise?"
And before I could form the words to complete our swear, the line went dead and I stared at the phone dumbfounded.
"What the-"
"Oh darn. I must have forgotten to pay the phone bill."
I turn around, seeing Kakashi with one hand holding the counter while the other is swinging the telephone cord.
"Who were you talking to?" He asks.
"Naruto. Why?"
"Is he mad?"
"What? No, why would he be?"
"Because he's jealous," The silver-haired man chuckled.
"Where did you…you were listening in, weren't you?"
"No, I just happened to walk in at the right time."
"I didn't hear you come in," I said as I put my hands on my hips.
"He really did sound upset, you know. Does he have a crush on you?" The man asked as he took a seat on the sofa while I sat on the one next to him.
"It's complicated. He and I have been friends forever, but he's always kinda liked me, but he knows I don't like him in that way. It's just…hard to talk to him about this kinda stuff."
"Then how come you blabbed to him about me?" He asked comically.
"I didn't blab," I glared. "I simply answered his questions about you."
"I'll say. Although, you're wrong about one thing."
"What?"
"I'm not 23, Ms. 'Fit and Muscular'," He chuckled. My cheeks heated up while I turned my head the other way to avoid his gaze. "I knew you were ogling my body while you were in the tub."
"Well, it's kinda hard not to when you don't give me a warning," I grumbled as I crossed my arms over my chest, but he only laughed as he got up and took a seat next to me. I could feel his body heat radiating onto the thin material of the shirt I was wearing, which didn't help me at all. I could smell his scent waft through my nostrils, which only made the hairs on my skin raise up with excitement. However, I couldn't tell what the hell he was thinking with that mask over his face that I just wanted to pull down so badly.
"You know, if you keep on wearing my special shirts," He said, pointing his chin up and down to me, "I just may enjoy your company."
"That's my job, love," I smirked.
"And you're doing a good one at that," Kakashi whispered into my ear as he pulled me closer and on top of his lap, where our eyes were exchanging long, meaningful, but mixed expressions. And this time, both of his eyes were open, and he seemed a bit softer this go-around.
My lips slightly part as he gets closer to me while his hands slowly snake to my back and lock at they sit on my waist. I wrap mine around his neck and they stop when my elbows rest on top of one another while my hands slowly crawl up his neck and to his hair, where my fingers explore almost every inch of his head while feeling the feathery texture tickle the sides of my digits. Our noses bump while our eyes still remained locked to each other and we stayed like that, not moving a single moment as seconds pass by. I couldn't help but smile at the embrace because the fluttery sensation in my stomach wouldn't stop and I place a small peck on his cheek. I may have been hallucinating, but I think I saw a slight pink spread across his face.
"You were gone for a long time, ya know," I mutter and then cover my mouth at what I had just said, and then buried my head onto his shoulder in embarrassment, and I feel his chest rumble from the slight snicker I heard escape from his mouth.
"I thought you said you wouldn't get attached," He joked.
I gulped in uneasiness, as I heard Naruto's and Ino's voice nag at me in my mind. I could see Naruto's face; let down and betrayed, while Ino would just poke fun at me, and say 'Weren't you the one who told me to 'remember the golden rule'?
Just thinking about it made me feel guilty, and it wasn't long before I got up from Kakashi's lap and quietly walk into the bedroom, where my clothes were and I started taking off his shirt while putting mine back on, and then I heard the door being open, but I didn't bother to cover myself up. That, plus the man didn't look as he leaned against the frame of the doorway and closed his eyes.
"Where are you off in such a hurry?"
"That is none of your business."
"Oh, is that so?" He asks as he crosses his arms while he put up one foot on the wall while I put on my skirt. "If you go out there, you're as good as dead."
I froze.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean just what I said. You're as good as dead if you-"
"I heard you the first time," I grumbled. "So, what, you have to be my bodyguard or something?"
"Not my choice of words but whatever floats your boat."
I let out a sigh of exasperation as I massaged my temples. I wanted to go talk to Naruto about this whole situation, but if he came, then it would be kinda awkward.
"Fine," I grumbled.
"Fine what? Just because you want to go doesn't mean I want to."
I swear to God I was about to choke him right then and there.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to take the risk of going by myself, then," I said as I went to the bathroom and put my long hair up in a bun while tying Naruto's ribbon around it as I stuffed the barrettes in my pocket and then headed for the door to put on my heels.
"You know, leading them to your house isn't such a good idea, right?"
"Wouldn't that apply here as well?"
"No, because they're nowhere near here."
"Oh well," I shrugged as I got up and right as I turned the doorknob, I felt a rough hand grab my shoulder as the other hand put something small and sturdy in my palm. I look at it and see it's a phone, and a pretty good one at that. I look up at him with confusion.
"What? Haven't you seen a cell before?"
"Of course I have, you idiot. I'm just not used to someone just handing me one randomly," I grumbled.
"Too bad. Now, that's your own personal one and-"
"Hold up a minute," I chuckle as my lips open in a devious smile. "Are you gonna track me down because you're scared of the big, bad thugs getting their hands on me?" I giggled.
"No," He said in a serious tone, killing the mood.
"Well, it's sweet that you care for me," I said as I stood up on my tiptoes to give him a peck on the cheek before heading out the door. "But I'm a big girl. I can handle it."
And the last thing I heard was a soft 'Tch' and a couple of footsteps walking away from the door while I giggled down the steps and along the way, I fidgeted with the phone and trying to figure out how the heck to get it to work. I tried looking through my contacts to see if Kakashi had left his number, but he didn't. It would be kinda creepy if he anyway, no?
I then punched in Naruto's number and waited a couple of rings until he picked up with a sleep yawn.
"Yellur?"
"Good morning, sleepyhead!"
"Sakura, you're seriously going to have to stop calling me from random numbers and get your own damn phone.
"This is my phone."
"You bought a phone?"
"Uh, more like a friend gave it to me."
"Is it Mr. Fit-and-Muscular?"
"Are you going to keep on picking on me because of that?"
"Forever."
"Some friend you are," I grumbled.
"Who's paying for the bills?"
"…My friend. I think. I'm not sure."
"Sakura, I totally don't mean to sound like a dependent pathetic loser, but when are you coming home?"
"I have absolutely no idea. Everything's so confusing. Do you mind if I stop by for a visit? I can explain everything to you."
"Yeah, that'd be nice. Seeing you wouldn't make me worry as much especially with what I heard what happened."
"What happ-"
"Get your ass over here and I'll tell you."
Click.
"Stupid Naruto," I grumbled as I hung up the phone and called a cab for his house, arriving there in no time flat. I quickly paid the cab fare and ran into the elevator and punched in the button as I waited anxiously for it to go up, which was far too slow, in my taste.
Once it finally got up to the ninth floor, I ran to the door and pounded on it, hearing a grumpy voice yell in response.
"Hold on a goddanged second!"
"No! You're too slow!" I yell back.
Then, the doorknob turned, revealing a sleepy and agitated blonde at the door.
"Who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?" I ask as I walk on in and take a seat on the comfy sofa with the blonde sitting right next to me as he takes a sip of the Coke on the table next to us. "Tell me what happened! I wanna know!" I whined, patting his arm repeatedly until he moved it away.
"Sakura, it isn't good news."
Just by hearing the tone of his voice, I started to worry. His eyes were full of anxiety and sorrow, but I didn't know why. If anything, they were ten times worse than the look he shot me yesterday.
"Sakura," He said, grabbing my hands with his and stayed silent for moment before closing his eyes and heaving a sigh. "I don't know how to break it to you-"
"Then start with the largest chunk! Whatever it is, I'm sure I can handl-"
"Ino's gone missing."
"What? No, that can't be, I just saw her last night," I shook my head, laughing at the ridiculous remark.
"And she hasn't returned home, picked up her cell, and none of her friends have seen her. I thought the same thing happened to you but then you called."
"Maybe she's gone to the beach or something with that ponytail dude. She did say she had to stick with him for a bit."
"So, he'sbehind it!" Naruto said as he slammed his fist into his palm, but I flicked him on the side of his forehead.
"Chill. She's just working 'over-time', if you will."
"Yeah, because sucking dick is sooo tedious," He scoffed as he put his feet up in the table, and then he noticed me face. "Not that you would-"
"Please, I don't do oral. Nu-uh," I shook my head.
"Good. Because that's disgusting. Well, like, not to the person who's getting it but-"
"Yeah, yeah, I understand. Don't worry, I know you're not gay or anything."
"So," The blue-eyed blonde said as he looks at me, "Explain to me about your little situation and how you got a free phone."
"Well, it went like this…"
And I explained to Naruto what had happened last night, exactly as it happened and he was glued to a story like a teenage girl watching Twilight. Surprisingly, he didn't interrupt and waited 'til I was done and for once, I couldn't tell what he was thinking; whether he was mad, in belief, or just plain bored.
"It sounds like he's just offering you protection so he doesn't have to pay you a dime."
"Maybe, maybe not. I dunno."
"Well, you need to dig up some dirt on this guy. Because it is not normal to wear a mask twenty-four seven unless you have some swine flu or some shit like that. Maybe he had a bad Botox surgery? Or, or, they're mutated or something? Or even-"
"Naruto, I think if it was a Botox surgery gone wrong, I would've been able to see the giant fish lips. But jeez, that would be scary, wouldn't it?"
"Hell yeah. I'd get my ass outta there, A-S-A-P! But why does he wear it?"
"I dunno."
"This man is like one of those Asian crosswords," The golden-haired man grumbled as he rubbed his chin.
"Are you talking about Sudoku?"
"Yeah! I never got it."
Naruto was never one for brains.
"But, has he said anything about his past? Maybe I can look it up on the internet."
"He hasn't said a thing."
"Jesus! What is with this guy? He hasn't had sex with you, doesn't talk about his past, wears a mask all the time, who the fuck does he think he is, Batman?"
"There's also something else," I said subtly.
"Well, what is it?"
"Me and him…we haven't even kissed yet."
"This fucker is tripping balls!" He yelled, but I pulled him back down so he wouldn't hurt himself. "Batman over here is a mystery, I'll give him that. Hey, could he kiss you with his mask on?"
"You know, I don't know. Come to think of it, I wonder if he would kiss me through a mask."
"Then he must be really determined to not let you see his face, eh?"
"I guess. I don't know why he doesn't want to show it."
"Well, maybe if you try kissing him, you can try to sneak it off?"
I had slight butterflies at the thought of the mysterious masked man kissing me and I was going crazy at the thought of his face, but Naruto just had to ruin my fantasy.
"Sakura, I love you to death, but I'll kick you out if you keep drooling like a retard."
I swallow my string of spit and wipe it away while I growled at him.
"So, it's simple," Naruto says with a grin. "Sex is the answer!"
"How the hell did you come up with that?"
"Think about it. Most people admit their love confessions during suki-suki time, right?" He asked as he wiggled his eyebrows like the perverted idiot he was.
I thought about it for a moment. "I guess with normal couples. You're forgetting that I'm a seducer, Naruto. I'm supposed to make 'em feel like that."
"Well, just get close to him and then, when the time comes, he'll start to loosen up once you two jumped that hurdle."
"I dunno. I'm trying to get his trust and-"
"Why? He's just another client."
"That may be true…but he isn't like the other pigs I've had and I've kinda started to see him as a friend. But it's awkward talking to someone that doesn't trust me," I said as I let down my long, pink hair and start fidgeting with it, but then I feel a hand touch mine, and I look up at Naruto, who had an anxious face.
"What is it?" I ask.
"You know, up until yesterday, I hadn't really touched your hair…can I?" He asked in barely a whisper.
"Sure, I don't mind," I said as I sat on the carpet with my back towards him.
"Scoot closer, and lean your head back."
I did as he said and once I looked up, I saw his face from below and he just grinned as he ran his fingers through my hair with ease and tenderness that almost made it feel like a massage.
"So, are you going to do it?"
"Do what, you idiot?" But that only got some of my hairs pulled and I whined in pain.
"Are you going to seduce him so you can find his dirty little secrets?" He asks with a devious smirk.
"Uh, Naruto, when I said I was trying to gain his trust…I was serious."
His hands move to the sides of my face and cup my cheeks as he brings them up so our eyes make contact.
"Sakura Haruno…do you-"
"No! No, no, no! I do not like him!"
"Okay, just checking," He snickered as he held up both hands in protest, but I pinched his ankle in revenge.
"Bitch," Ash hissed.
"Bastard."
"Love you too," He said sarcastically with narrowed eyes, but I knew he meant it, even behind that glare.
"You're so stupid," I chuckle as I settle down in the position I was and hands once again trail through my hair.
"So, what are you going to do?"
I look up and my emerald eyes met with his sapphire ones and none of us says anything, because the looks we exchanged were conversation enough.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I mean, are you actually going to live with this guy?"
"I have no choice. He said if I go to me home, that the thugs would follow me and-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up now. You're telling me that these crazies are stalking you?"
"That's pretty much what happened when I was 'kidnapped' last night."
"Why the hell did you lead them to my house?" He yelled as he got up and pulled down the shutters on his window and locked his door as he put a chair up against the knob. "What if they take me and then cut me up like sushi and-"
"Naruto! Get a hold of yourself!" I yelled as I slapped him out of his mini-panic attack. "They won't go after you. You're near Kakashi's."
"So?"
"They won't come here."
"Oh thank you Jesus," The blonde said as he exhaled a sigh of relief and opened his eyes, seeing my icy glare. "Not that I had doubted you for a second-"
"Just shut up," I grumbled as I brushed the dirt off of my skirt and looked him in the eye. "I guess I'll have to stay with him, whether I like it or not."
"I can't believe I'm saying this," Naruto paused, "But I think staying with him is actually safer than you doing your job."
My eyebrows arch in question, but he raised his own back at me.
"You'll have to let me know how it goes between you two."
"Please, you act like me and him are dating or something," I scoffed.
"It could happen."
"Pft, yeah right! The guy's a kook! I'd rather…"
"You'd rather?" The blonde shot me a smile.
"I'd…rather…not get attached. I can't break the golden rule."
"Oh, but I think you already have."
I sent him a fierce scowl, but he only shot me a look that questioned my reaction.
"Don't lie to yourself, Sakura. I see that look in your eye whenever you say his name."
My jaw dropped at the words and my eyes were wide open with bewilderment, but he only laughed while he put a hand through his spiky golden hair.
I think to myself how much he has changed and how much he resembles his father, as if I was an old grandma reminiscing about the good ol' days. The only distinction between the two was that Naruto's hair was a bit lighter and much shaggier. That, and his frame was more wiry than his dad's. Lastly, his father, Minato, had a much more calm and level-headed personality in comparison to his son, who erupted frequently on a daily basis.
"Sakura?"
"Huh? What, what?"
"…Your phone is ringing," He said quietly as he pointed to my pocket.
"Oh, psh, I knew that," I mumbled as I flipped it open with a shrug. "Hello?"
"Oi, get back here," A familiar, but annoying voice whined.
"What am I, your slave?" I groan.
"That's a bit too far. I'd say something along those lines, like-"
"I don't wanna hear it. Why are you calling me anyways, Kakashi?"
The sound of snickers echoed on in my ears, but that only made me more agitated than I already was.
"Feisty, aren't you?"
"You didn't answer my question."
"Straight to the point, I see. Well, since you're going to stay by my place for a while, I realized that you may have some stuff left in your house, right?"
"Yea-"
"Have Naruto being over your stuff since you can't go there."
"Why can't I go into my house?"
"Because they know your face; however, they don't know his," Kakashi chuckled.
"I'm right here, you know," The blonde grumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"And while you're at it-"
"Oi!" Naruto yelled as he took the phone. "Listen, Kakashit, I'm not your errand boy. I don't know who the hell you think you are, telling me and Sakura what the fuck to do but-"
"Naruto!" I hiss.
"Hey, you know it's the truth and-"
"Choices," Kakashi said.
"Eh?" Both me and the blonde question confusedly.
"It's your choice. Whether to help out your best friend…or not."
"Don't you go playing any mind games on me, Batman!"
"...Batman?"
"Jesus, could you two be any more annoying?" I yelled as I grabbed my phone. "Look, I'll have him get my clothes and stuff. Happy?"
"Si. Now, hurry along home. I'm guessing you didn't eat, right?"
The mention of food made my stomach roar and ache at the emptiness.
"I thought so. Dinner is at 7 sharp. Don't be late."
"And if I am?"
"Then you don't get to eat it."
"Okay, Hitler, I'll be there at 6:59. Is that good for ya?"
"Perfect."
I sighed as I hung up on him and I opened my eyes and saw Naruto with narrowed eyes. I pushed out my lips in a pout and softened my gaze on him.
"Please?" I whimpered.
"….fine. But only this time!"
"Yay! Thank you!" I squealed as I hugged him.
"You know, I'm starting to like these surprise hugs," The man chuckled as he let go and grabbed his keys, turned the lights off, and held the door for me while getting out some money from his back pocket and then handed it to me.
"Why?" I ask.
"You'll need a cab to get to Batman's. Now go, it's almost 6."
"Alrighty then. Thanks so much!" I said as I ran down the stairs, but then I heard his voice call out to me and stop me in my tracks. My head turns to face him and out eyes meet once again.
"Yeah?"
"If he ever makes you cry…I'll kill him. You got that?" He said, with sapphire irises locked onto me, but I just smile and wave.
"I'll be sure to let him know," I nodded as I dashed down the stairs and whistled for a yellow carriage and in no time flat, I was at the apartments that belonged to the silver-haired man and knocking at his door until it opened suddenly.
"You're early by half an hour."
"Expect the unexpected from me. You'll be less surprised," I chuckled as I walked in and I heard a slight laugh from the masked man.
"Your friend?"
"Naruto? He'll come later," I shrug.
"So…why'd you come so early?" He asks with cocked eyebrows while his cobalt iris follows me as I hop up on the stool and stare back at him, seeing only a pair of Levi's with a white undershirt above that was soaked in sweat to his toned abdomen and above, there was a bloody crimson scarf tied around his mouth in a thug-like manner.
"Am I intruding on something you were doing?" I mumble as I covered up my childish grin.
"Uhm," He said, scratching the back of his neck.
"I see," I said, a bit disappointed at the response.
"Wait."
My head turns slightly in the direction of the voice, and I only catch a small glimpse of the man's face out of the corner of my eye.
"Yes, monsieur?"
"It's just," He said as he took a sigh, "I'm not ready, at all," He said, pinching the fabric of his shirt.
"Ready…for what?" I ask defensively.
"Dinner, smart one."
"I know I'm gonna sound dumb when I say this, but, are we…going out?"
He cocked his head in puzzlement.
"Like, not, 'going out', like dating out, but like, the restaurant kind and-"
"You're awfully jittery today. What is it that's making Ms. Haruno so?" Kakashi laughed as he leisurely approached me with that stupid cloaked smirk as he put both hands on the handles of the stool, leaving me no way out. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks at the sudden proximity of our faces. Even without looking, I know his eyes were on me the entire time while my head was hung in bashfulness.
"Well, Sa. Ku. Ra?"
"Y-Your face," I stutter, mentally cursing at myself for making such a stupid comment.
"Hm? My face?" The grey-haired man inquires curiously as he lifts up my chin with the edge of his finger. That sweet, luscious aroma of his wafted to my nostril, which made me even more lost in the moment.
"Could it be…that I'm the reason why you're acting as coy as a innocent schoolgirl?"
"Shuddup," I mutter, accidentally letting my gaze go downwards from his chest and to his-
"A-hem. My eyes are up here, kiddo."
"I knew that," I grumbled as I turned my head the other way, avoiding his gaze.
"Look at me."
My eyes moved, but my head did not, and I only managed to catch a slight glimpse of his face. I felt a warm mass of heat touch the cheek that was farther away from him and both of his mismatched eyes met with mine, and I couldn't look away. His crimson eye was so intriguing that I thought it was the hidden 8th wonder of the world. The ebony marks that surrounded the pupil—I couldn't decide if they were ominous, or just plain beautiful. The other eye was equally as flawless, with blues as deep as the sea reflect back at me with that damned, indecipherable expression that always made me wonder just what the man was thinking.
My lips couldn't help but drop slightly at the sight of him up close, and for some reason, I was so gentle when I touched him, almost as if he was glass. I led my hand to the right side of his face and stroked his cheekbone with my thumb while the other digits were wrapped on his neck.
All this time, our gazes on each other hadn't faltered for a single second, although our hands were slowly moving, almost as if they were dancing to some music that only they could hear.
A hand landed on mine and slowly climbed on my arm and loses itself in my hair and every single one of my hairs stood on end at the euphoric touch and a small whimper of pleasure escapes from my lips, and I zip them up in a thin line once I realized I sounded like a virgin, once again.
"Dammit," I hissed.
"You know," He says, getting closer to my face, (if that was even possible) and looks at me with eyes wide open while my hand was still around him. "I noticed you seemed to dislike whenever you let out that particular sound. Why is that?"
"…You're not the prostitute here," I said in barely a whisper.
"How about we switch roles," He says in a husky whisper as his breath tickles the rim of my ear, "And you won't have to worry about those little 'noises' that slip out, hm?
"Mmm, let's see if you're 'qualified' enough," I giggle as I felt the mass of heat slowly travel to my neck.
"Oh, I think I proved myself yesterday, no?" Kakashi murmured as the folds of the soft silk of his scarf graze on my collarbone while sturdy hands travel under my shirt and up my back and the feathery strands of his hair tickle the underside of my chin, which made an involuntary smile curve at the edge of my lips.
"Now, tell me," He said, right as he was about to climb up my jaw line, "For a 30-second-trial, and on a scale of 1 to 100, how'd I do?"
"Hmmm…99.9%," I snicker.
"Oh?" Kakashi asks as he starts to back up. "The customer wasn't entirely satisfied?"
"This customer would be entirely satisfied if you removed that mask," I tease.
"I'm afraid that's not an option."
"Party pooper," I grumble.
All of the sudden, we hear a doorbell and I jump in my seat at the sudden sound, hearing a hearty laugh rumble up from the silver-haired man's chest.
"You're gonna give yourself a heart attack one day."
"Shut up," I hissed as I got up and went to the door, seeing a sleazy teenager at the door with a couple pizza boxes in one hand.
"This for 9-C, Hatake residence?"
"Mhmm."
"That'll be $12.95."
"Okay, hold on," I said as I started digging for the money in my bra, but I felt two hands grip my shoulder and I looked up, seeing Kakashi with both eyes closed in a comical grin. "I'll pay for it, don't worry."
"Oh, o-okay," I said and once I looked up, I saw the boy's mouth hanging wide open.
"There you go," Kakashi said, handing him the money, "Have a good night."
The delivery teen still stood there, and I noticed that the grey-haired man had started to lose his patience.
"Have a good night," He said, sharply enunciating the last consonant in a growl.
"Oh, oh, right. Yeah, night."
Kakashi rolled his eye as he quickly closed the door and locked it. "Dumbass. And you-"
"Me?" I ask innocently.
"Yes, you! If you hadn't flashed him-"
"Then you wouldn't have gotten…flustered?" I ask deviously, seeing his azure eye widen slightly.
"Tch, as if. C'mon, pizza's getting cold," He grumbled as he went to the living room, but I only giggled while we went to living room and started to devour the food. Then, it just hit me. How could he eat with a mask on? I waited on the edge of my seat for him to take off his scarf, but he only lifted the slice under the scarf and I let out a groan of agitation, attracting his attention.
"What? You thought you could sneak a peek? Haha, you're a funny one, Sakura."
"You can't hide it forever you know," I chimed as I got a pizza slice, "Not now, but eventually, I'll see your face."
"Then what'll you do?"
"Hm?"
"Once you see my face, what will you do? It kinda ruins the whole 'mystery', ne?"
"True, but knowing you, it's not like you'll have the mask off for long."
"Exactly," Kakashi mumbled as he chewed.
"But why do you hide it? It…it's not a Botox surgery gone wrong, right?"
"I thought only women got Botox."
"You'd be surprised," I shrugged.
"Uhm, okay. Anyways, when do you figure Naruto's gonna bring your stuff?"
"You seriously don't expect him to be early, do you? I'm going to be blunt," I said, sitting up, "He doesn't like you, but he likes you."
"Mind explaining?"
"He doesn't like your attitude, but he'd rather me stay with you than some other guy. Weird, I know," I said sheepishly as I scratched the back of my neck.
"No, I understand. You two seem to have some deep ties," He nodded as he sat back.
"We've been friends since we were kids."
"Not to be rude, but didn't you have other friends?"
I said nothing while I picked the pepperoni off of my pizza, trying to appear focused.
"So, I take it you were lonely?"
"No…"
"Antisocial-ness?"
I shook my head while looked him in the eye and said, "They're dead."
Kakashi didn't say nor do anything, except keep that carefree glazed look on his face while he dove for the last slice, but then hesitated.
"Do you want it?"
"Nah, I'm full," I mumbled as I laid down and rolled over on my stomach, burying my face in the pillow as my eyes droopily closed shut.
"What…are you doing?"
"'Bout to go to sleep."
"You just ate and now you're sleepy?"
"Don't worry, I'm still wide awake. Just keep on talking."
"Well, can you call Naruto and tell him to-"
"There's a doorbell. He can ring it. He ain't that stupid."
"Yeah, but I might fall asleep too, you know," He mumbled as he stretched out on the recliner.
"Don't worry, he'll pound on the door. I'm a light sleeper."
"Pft."
"What 'pft'?"
"That is a lie."
"Prove it."
"This morning, two glasses broke and you didn't even say anything or move around in your sleep."
"And just how did they break?"
"Earthquake."
"Which was caused from you walking, right?" I snicker, but I feel something rough slap me on my head and I sit up, glaring at the silver-headed bastard with a rolled up newspaper in his hand.
"My, someone sure is bitchy."
"Oi! Open up!" A voice yelled from the door.
"I'm asleep," I mumbled as I got back to my previous position while I hear a small groan from Kakashi.
"Lazy."
"Yup," I mutter, as I pull a pillow close to me.
"Well, if it isn't the famous Naruto," He chuckled.
"Could say the same for you, Kakashit. Where's Sakura?"
"On the couch, pretending to be asleep."
I heard nothing then, but all of the sudden, I felt a slap across the back of my neck and I hiss as I grab the wrist and pinch down onto the flesh, hearing the stupid blonde cry out.
"You of all people should know better than to wake me up when I'm trying to sleep!" I hissed.
Then, I felt my hair being pulled and I yell in pain.
"Let go of my hair!"
"You stop pinching my wrist!" Naruto growled.
"No, because you woke me up!"
"Then I won't let go!" He said as he yanked my bangs.
"Ow, ow, ow! Okay! Jesus! Let go on three."
"No tricks?"
"No tricks."
"Fine. One," I started.
"Two."
"Three!" We both shouted, but neither one of us had let go of the other, and then we hear a couple of snickers coming from our left, seeing Kakashi with an amused face.
"Sakura, I'll start taking your advice. I certainly wasn't expecting this," Kakashi laughed.
"Bastard," I hissed as I pinched Naruto's hand that was holding onto my hair and he let go with a yell and I back up, feeling the pain of my poor hair.
"You didn't have to yank my hair so hard!"
"Well, you didn't have to pierce my skin! I actually think I have a hole in my skin because of those weapons you call your nails."
"That's enough, you two. Sakura, I thought you were a bit more mature," The grey-haired man raised an eyebrow.
"It's because of me. I make her so irritated that her bad side comes out. Isn't that right, Sakura-chan?"
I only narrow my eyes down at the blonde while I got the stuff that he had brought over out of the doorway and into the living room, box by box while I examined each of them closely, seeing that for once, Naruto had took his time to be neat and that all of my clothes were neatly organized.
"You're welcome!" He hollered.
"Yeah, thanks," I mutter as I dig in the box with clothes on it, seeing an odd circular box with a bow on it. My hands pick it up and I look back to the blonde.
"What's this?" I asked as I pointed to the container.
"Well, open it," He said with a grin. I caught the slightly interested look of Kakashi, who was next to him. I took a seat on the floor while I lifted up the lid and saw an old photograph with an aged sticky note on it.
'May 17th, 1997 – Picnic'
I cover my gaping mouth as I took a closer look at the four people in the frame, all of them looking as if they were one, big, happy family without a care in the world. All four of them were dressed in casual attire and the picture had been taken from an aerial view, with a smiling face in each corner, almost like an 'X' formation. And in the photo, there was a man, a woman, and a boy and a girl. The two adults were married, judging by the matching wedding bands on their fingers, but they looked completely different, as well as the two kids.
The man's golden hair that ended at his jaw and there were two huge parts of hair that surrounded his frame and brought out his cerulean eyes. His face looked very smooth, calm, and young for a married man. On the other hand, there was his wife, who looked just as youthful as he, and her long burgundy locks made anyone envy her.
Then, there were was the boy and the girl that I recognized in a heartbeat.
The boy's spiky hair was a deep lemon-ish color and he had the same eyes as his father, which was as blue as the sea. The three marks on each cheek has curled in a wide smile while the girl next to him had on a laughing face with her pea eyes and salmon-colored hair that almost stood out as much as the woman's locks.
They all looked so happy, and I came to realize who the two other adults were, I asked myself—where had the happiness gone?
"Kakashi," I said, turning my head to face him, "Do you mind giving us a minute?"
His eyebrows arched in question.
"Please. This is something between me and Naruto."
"Mmkay," he shrugged as he walked to his bedroom and closed the door. I waited a moment or two before speaking so that the tears I tried to hold back wouldn't pour out like a flood.
"This…where did you find this?" I ask, holding up the old photograph.
"In your dresser. I came across it while I was packing your clothes and I saw that all the way at the bottom."
"I…see."
There's an unsettling gap of silence between us, but that was the least of my worries. What really had me on edge was the photograph and all of the memories it brought back to me, and without even realizing it, a tear had jumped off the edge of my eyelid and slowly climb down the side of my face, only to be wiped away by a hand of the man beside me.
"They wouldn't have wanted you to cry, now would they, Sakura-chan?"
I shook my head as my hair covered up my face. So, I couldn't see the pair of arms that extended out and pulled me towards a warm chest while their hands stroked through my hair and comforted me.
"You miss them."
I nodded my head while my sobs broke out and a hand cradled the back of my neck while Naruto's words tried to ease my sorrow.
"Yeah, I miss them too."