Kakashi's Party
Chapter 2: The S-Class Look
Rubbing his temples gently with two fingers, Kakashi managed to drag his hung-over and pink polished body to the bathtub for a steaming wake up. Using a kunai, of all things, he tried to pick at the glistening, fleck-filled pink nail polish gracing his ten manly toes.
"I've never understood why men wear nail polish."
Kakashi shook his head thinking of all the strange criminals he'd run across in his time, and they had always seemed to have these unusual coloured nails. He laughed a little (although it hurt his head to do so), to think of the likes of Uchiha Itachi putting polish on his fingernails.
"There is just no manly way to do that." He laughed out loud and finally gave up trying to get the feminine sheen from his toes.
Pink is definitely not my color.
There was just going to be no way around it; Konoha's elite Jounin genius Sharingan Copy-ninja, Hatake Kakashi, was going to have to go to the open and public store and ...purchase nail polish remover. He could see the exchange at the store with the young, flirtatious store clerk.
"I need to buy some nail polish remover ...for my ...S- Class criminal friend."
"Oh, would you like fresh garden flower scent or cherry blossom aroma, Kakashi-kun?"
"What the f...?"
He just couldn't imagine how difficult this mission would be. Who the hell had done this to him? It still evaded his hole-filled, drunken brain. The desperation of the answer picked at his stomach like bad sushi, terrified that it was someone like Anko or who else? Kurenai? Shizune? Damn, he just wasn't close to too many women, and whoever it was had left no clues but the gaudy pink remnants on his feet.
His genius mind began to process all the possibilities.
Anko doesn't strike me as the pink type - more the cut you and use your blood type. A slight chill ran through the Copy-ninja just before relief. That was the worst possibility that he could fathom and now he had all but dismissed it.
Well, Kurenai could be quite a wild woman but she was always with Asuma, so that was probably not likely. Shizune always has that pig with her and I don't smell it around here. Besides, she isn't the pink type either.
Pink? Jasmine scented?
The only pink he could think of was Haruno Sakura. Well that was just ridiculous. She's practically a child for goodness sake, he told himself, and for lack of a better term, she was a goody goody.
It wouldn't be like the twenty year old pink haired feminine to do something so lurid as take a thirty four year old to his apartment and then take advantage of his sheer drunkenness. It had to be someone else; besides they had kissed and it was well worth doing again, he smirked, suddenly a little more intent on tracking down his mystery companion. It was a vague memory but he recalled being into it, as was she. Why didn't he open his eyes...? Oh yeah, they were plastered shut with sake.
Slipping on his vest over his fresh black uniform, even the drag of the zipper hurt his morning-after head. Sliding his large, size-tens into his sandals, the pink nails glowered against the dark of the shoes. He pointed at the pink as if it were mocking him.
Look at that! Everyone's going to notice.
He contemplated covering his feet with wrappings, but everyone would ask how he got the injuries. Then he'd have to make up a story about fighting with an S-class criminal...um...over his nail polish...
Damn, just get it over with.
Dragging his tired body towards the entrance in his self-induced, morning-after stupor, Kakashi opened the door that really creaked way too loudly to see...
"Genma?" His own voice hurt his head.
"Where the hell did you go last...uh...nice toes!" The laugh belted from Genma's mouth so hard, his senbon fell to the ground.
The gloved hands of the Copy-ninja flew at Gai speed to his ears as the laugh reverberated painfully through his head. Here was the proof. Those pink toes were like beacons for anyone he crossed paths with.
"Genma, did you see me leave with anyone last night?" he asked quickly but in a hushed, 'I don't want to hurt myself' way.
"Sorry buddy, one minute you were there, next you were gone." The brunette laughed again, taking a closer look at the way the sparkles from the polish really picked up the sun. "So you're telling me a woman did that to you, and you don't know who she was?" The laughter renewed liberally, and Genma actually needed to hold his stomach.
"Shut it!" Kakashi grumbled, "This is your fault," he whispered darkly.
"I think we'll all take the blame. You're lucky you left. Anko was dancing on the tables, and then she got talking about her new bra and one thing led to another..."
"Stop! Stop right there...I think I might be sick." Kakashi placed his hand over his masked mouth as he waited for his stomach to calm. Thank the Gods, it definitely wasn't Anko. He breathed deeply as an escape from this death-assured mission suddenly came to him.
"Got any nail polish remover?" Kakashi asked sweetly, hoping he could avoid the embarrassing moment perusing the perfumed and pasteled cosmetic isle at the local market.
"What do I look like, an S-class criminal or something?" Genma answered matter-of-factly.
"Will you go get me some?" Kakashi asked even more sweetly.
"No fucking way," Genma chuckled, "You're on your own. I just wanted to make sure you're alive and you are, so enjoy your shopping trip. Let me know if you find your mystery woman. Did anything happen between you?"
"Well, I think so." Kakashi scratched at his head. "Thanks to your birthday gifts last night I can't remember everything...but...well...there may have been something." His finger tapped his chin trying to recall exactly what the something might have been.
"There's your answer. She's probably seen your face, and after your sexual encounter she'll probably come and find you."
"It wasn't a sexual encounter...completely... And why would she paint my toenails pink?"
Genma shrugged and looked sideways laughing. "Marking her territory?"
The sun shone down warm and bright as three flashes entered Konoha and landed at the red bridge hovering over the glistening, transparent river. The friends panted slightly as the blonde stood high on the railing, declaring himself the winner of their race back from their mission.
"Well that was an easy mission," Naruto chirped to his two closest friends.
"Anyone want to get lunch? I'm feeling better." Sasuke rubbed his empty stomach in circles as he lifted his nose, sniffing the air for any scent of food, "I think I smell ramen, Naruto."
"Don't have to ask me twice." Naruto started walking. "Sakura? You coming too?" His crystalline eyes shone under upraised eyebrows that begged for her friendly company.
"Um...I've got a few things to do today. I'll catch up with you two later, 'kay?" she smirked a little. She'd been thinking of her secret encounter with the Copy-ninja the night before, and felt a little guilty that she had smeared her brightest pink polish on his Jounin toes.
Was it guilt or guilty pleasure? She certainly wouldn't tell her friends about it, although to her, it was so funny she was just bursting with it - well the nail polish part anyway. But then she would have to explain how she got around his naked feet, and then they would tease Kakashi when they saw him...then he would know he'd kissed his old student...
The thought of how uncomfortable it would make their relationship was worth keeping it to herself, but the devious little pink devil inside her really wanted to claim the prank as her own. Truthfully, no one would understand why she was there with the drunken Ninja so it would have to remain her secret accomplishment...or rather, pleasure.
During her whole mission this morning she had thought of how funny it would be to see Kakashi trying to buy nail polish remover. She could just imagine the conversation he'd have with the flirtatious store clerk.
"Um, how do I get this off my feet?"
"Well, you have to take this liquid and smear it generously over your toenails."
"It's that easy?"
"Well actually it's pretty difficult. If you'd like, I can come over to your place and show you..."
Sakura shook her head. Maybe she'd be the wonderful friendly person that everyone (thinks) knew she was and purchase a bottle of remover for him. She could just drop it on his doorstep with a ribbon. It could be her birthday gift for him since she really didn't get him anything...well...except for the make-out time. She supposed her gave her a little present with the soft wet kisses that he lazily aroused her with...
Stop it! Inner Sakura shook her finger mindfully.
Laughing slightly at what the genius Ninja would look like parading around Konoha with pink nails, she nearly doubled over at the thought of him pointing to his toes, "It's Passion Pink, do you like it?"
She'd hurry before he got up from his hung-over state. The condition he was in last night would almost assure he was going to be in bed all day.
Damn, should have taken a camera.
So far the illusive Sharingan Kakashi managed to get to the store unnoticed by the local ninja population. Desperately trying to avoid any embarrassing collisions, he made his way to the isle marked 'cosmetics'. It may as well have been marked 'Isle of no return' as he perused the colorful bottle filled shelves, hued boxes, and feminine packages hanging from hooks. It was definitely new territory for him and he mused that he'd rather go out on a life or death mission than walk along here - maybe it was the same thing.
Quickly his mind began to think of an excuse as to why he was in the 'Women's Isle', just in case. Shaking his head at his own timidity, he decided that he should just get it over with. He could see the young flirtatious clerk bending over some boxes nearby and turning to make sure he was watching her...which he was.
"Um, can you help me for a minute?" he said quietly.
"Certainly." The large smile cast over her face as wide and sweet as she could possibly make it.
"Yeah...so, I need to find somenailpolishremover," he mumbled quickly as he stood on his tiptoes to make sure no one was in the next isle or within hearing distance.
"Oh!" her eyes inadvertently went from his bare fingers and then dropped down to his beautifully painted pink toes. She cleared her throat, trying to sound professional through her giggle, "Um, I see. Well we have many different kinds with different scents."
"Anything is fine."
"Well," her eyes looked him over, "It can be sort of difficult to do. Um, I'm off in about..."
"I'll help him," a familiar voice piped, effectively stopping the clerks come on.
"Oh...ha, no, Sakura. This nice young lady was helping me just fine." The Copy-ninja's eye creased in a smile as his hand went to the back of his head in an embarrassed sort of way.
Sakura was delighted to find Kakashi there, of all places, purchasing nail polish remover. Her inner devil couldn't have planned the day better.
"Nonsense. What are you looking for?" Sakura gave the clerk a 'you are dismissed' look as the woman walked away looking a little more perturbed than the store's customer service rules allowed.
"Um...it's nothing." He looked around for a ninja escape route.
"Tell me what you need. Is it hangover medicine?" she smirked, enjoying the moment thoroughly.
"Ok. Promise to keep it a secret and I'll let you help me." Kakashi sighed with defeat.
Sakura was trying so hard to hold back the laughter at what she knew he was going to say. She nodded, knowing that spoken word would bring on a giggle fit.
"I need...nail polish remover," he whispered softly, bowing near her ear.
She feigned innocence and ignorance as her look gave him the impression she didn't understand.
Kakashi closed his eyes momentarily, steeling himself to compromise his manliness to the twenty-year old beauty.
Without a word, he looked down at his feet as her gaze drew down to look at his feet also. There they stood in the middle of the cosmetic isle staring at the flecked and glistening toenails of one Hatake Kakashi.
Sakura fought the laughter with everything she had but a snort escaped from behind the hand clamped over her mouth. She looked up to see Kakashi still looking down, but it wasn't at his own feet. She traced his line of sight and found it rested on her own pink, glitter-flecked toenails.
"S...Sakura? You were at my party last night, right?" He asked, still looking at her feet.
"That's a really nice shade on you, Kakashi!" she snorted again, ignoring his question.
"Um, your toes are..." he began, suddenly stunned with the possibility that he had spent actual romantic time with the young ingenuous...and couldn't remember it!?.
"Yes. Do you like them? It's a really popular shade. It's called Cheeky Cherry Blossom. It's the hottest color right now. Everyone is wearing it." She laughed again, finding it hard not to fall into full belly-laughs. "And I do mean everyone!"
She chortled behind her hand, thinking of his snoring figure lying on his small bed while she hummed lightly and put the blazing cherry color on his toes.
He gulped visibly, finding no humor in the situation. His eyes went to her collar that was pulled tight around her neck and the beginning pink blush of her cheeks as he watched her face turn a little softer.
"Here." She reached past him. "This is a good one. It'll take that off easily." She smiled widely. "Do you want some help?"
"Ah, no, no. It's fine. I'm a Jounin, I think I can handle a little nail polish." He frowned a little, still trying to fight the thought that his arousing encounter may have involved this young former student.
"Sakura? You were there last night, right? I did see you?" he asked cautiously, not really knowing if he actually wanted the truth.
"Yeah. I was there, but I took off early. I wasn't drinking and left when it got rowdy." She smiled what was unmistakably a devious smile. She wasn't really lying; she just wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Did we...talk or... anything else?" he asked, cringing slightly.
"What do you mean by anything else?" she asked, finding some hidden ability to hold her smirk at bay with his timid questioning.
"Ah, nothing. It's just..did you...oh, forget it." He decided it wasn't worth pursuing. She obviously wasn't going to admit it to him if it was she and as she said everyone is wearing the polish so it didn't mean it was her anyway.
"Yes we talked! You said I made you feel old!" She pointed accusingly at the Jounin. "I'm a little put out by that remark. You really aren't that much older than me, and we are both adults now. I resent the implications that I am, perhaps, a young child in your eyes." She fought the smirk again knowing he treated her as a woman that he found attractive the night before.
"Ah, I'm sorry Sakura. I don't remember saying that. I remember seeing you briefly but then everything is a little hazy." He rubbed the back of his head again, slightly embarrassed.
"Um, you don't remember anything after that?" She asked, feeling a little put out. "Do you remember how your nails ended up like this? I'm assuming you didn't do this yourself. Then again, when I saw you last night you were pretty messed up."
He eyed her suspiciously, he was sure she sounded a little disappointed that he didn't remember anything after they saw each other. He leaned down so they were face to face. "I remember some of the more interesting parts."
Unfortunately for her, his small exposed amount of face was unreadable. She bit her lip tensely as her top half leaned back from his weary stare.
"Y...you might want to get some cotton balls to clean your toes with," she digressed, suddenly feeling a little 'on the spot' with his direct stare. Her eyes moved to peruse the shelves behind him. "I...I should probably get going." Unconsciously she was turning red and hitched at her high collar a little from the warmth around her face and neck.
"Sakura." Kakashi could see the discomfort the Kunoichi was radiating, "You don't make me feel old. I suppose we both know it's quite the opposite." He rose to his full height as the smile creased his eye.
"Thanks," Sakura responded warmly. She backed away from him, softly banging into the shelves, but really not noticing as her hand moved in a small wave. Her smile was bright and her cheeks flushed as she knew she had been caught. Kakashi obviously didn't know for sure, but he was getting the idea and she felt it might be better to leave...although...she did feel an urge to stay.
As she made her way out she could see his hand up in a wave too as the pouty short-skirted store clerk slowly crept back towards him.
Kakashi watched the kunoichi slink away, looking like a fox caught in a trap. Breathing deeply, the unmistakable scent of jasmine filled his sense as it drifted away with her.
"Sakura" he laughed a little. "I never would have thought."
He shook his head at how people would react if they knew what she had done and decided it would be a secret he would cling to in his grave. Maybe years from now they'd talk about it and have a good laugh.
One thing was for sure; he'd never get ripped drunk around that little pink devil again.
edited Sept 08