Kiss Me!

by Zetnnik

Kakashi, on a personal business outside of Konoha, had to take Sakura along out of necessity. As if that wasn’t bad enough for Kakashi they had to travel as a married couple, again out of necessity. What was simply inconvenient rapidly became troublesome.

4. Chapter 4 The Newlyweds

Kiss Me!

By Zetnnik

Kakashi, on a personal business outside of Konoha, had to take Sakura along out of necessity. As if that wasn't bad enough for the very private man, they had to travel as a married couple – again out of necessity. What was simply inconvenient rapidly became troublesome. KakaSaku

Disclaimer: Not mine, just borrowing…

Rated: T (to be on the safe side)

OooO

Chapter 3 RECAP

Kakashi and Sakura agreed to go through a phony marriage, but a real one to the people in Konoha. They decided at the last minute to let the Hokage in on the charade.

The Lady Tsunade was more than willing to help out and even went so far as to suggest a more romantic and more realistic wedding – a garden wedding. This suggestion wholly appealed to Sakura and immediately transformed her to that most frightening creature -- a bridezilla, which made even the legendary Copy Ninja Kakashi nervous.

With the help of Mrs. Haruno and the heavy backing of the Haruno fortune, Sakura was able to have her long ago desire, and every woman's heart's desire -- a decent and proper engagement party, a romantic wedding ceremony, and a wedding reception.

Now on to the next chapter…

OooO

Chapter 4:

The newlyweds were at the massive foyer of the Haruno residence to greet their guests following the wedding ceremony for the reception. Sakura kept shooting surreptitious glances at Kakashi to check how he's holding up. She's glad to see that he's bearing up well enough and being unusually patient about all the ceremonies, something she's grateful for.

'He's been a real good sport about all this,' Sakura thought to herself. 'I'm sure he didn't expect to have to go through all this when he made his suggestion.'

Inner Sakura snickered after she finished that thought. 'Ha! Serve's the lazy pervert. For once, he has to make the effort to conform to proper convention,' and she then proceeded to do a jig in her head.

"Be nice," Sakura muttered to herself.

Kakashi gave her a funny look and a questioning "Hm?", to which she waved off with an innocent smile and pointedly turned her attention back to the arriving guests in order to avoid further questions from him.

The next one up was Yamanaka Ino, who murmured her congratulations and good wishes while giving Kakashi a handshake. She then moved on to Sakura; with her, Ino gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then she whispered, "Don't think you're getting away that fast, Forehead. I want all the juicy details, and I expect a blow by blow description of the wedding night and especially details about your husband. Mm m… mm.. That Sharingan and all those Icha-Icha books?" She then moved her eyebrows up and down suggestively at Sakura. "If that hot kiss at the wedding was anything to go by, seems like you're in for a very long and interesting night, Forehead," Ino reminded her, before throwing Kakashi a look that could only be described as lascivious. Ino smiled a mischievous smile at Sakura as she got on her way to where the food was being served.

Sakura was so embarrassed and immediately felt again the searing heat she had experienced earlier at the mention of the kiss from the wedding. She was also unable to stop the gasp that escaped her at the mention of the wedding night and the ideas that Ino had put in her head about Kakashi. She unconsciously looked Kakashi's way at the imagery that popped in her head. She quickly looked away, face bright red, when she saw Kakashi catch her staring at him. His eyebrows met in a puzzled frown as he saw her quickly look away, with her face bright and as red as a ripe tomato.

"Ne, Sakura-chan. Are you OK?" Kakashi looked down and asked the question directly into Sakura's face, unintentionally invading her personal space.

The image of a naked Kakashi and all the other naughty thoughts that accompanied the image of a very naked Kakashi still fresh in her mind, Sakura was so startled by his question and sudden closeness that she involuntarily took a step back with a helpless "Eeep!"

"Whoa!" Kakashi was quick to steady her by catching hold of her by the upper-arms. "Steady! Are you OK?

Sakura was so shocked and horrified at herself. She couldn't look Kakashi straight in the eye.

"Y-yes," she was finally able to say, and quickly extricated herself from Kakashi's hold. "I'm… (she cleared her throat and tried again) I'm just hungry. I think it's safe for us to go in now… don't you think so?" She asked.

"Hm," was his answer while giving her a quizzical look, but took hold of her arm nonetheless and escorted her inside.

OooO

'Oh, gods! Must they constantly do that?' Sakura inwardly groaned, referring to the continuous clanging of goblets, glasses, plates, or what-have-you's as they were repeatedly hit with silverware or something, a signal to the guests' demands for the newlyweds to kiss.

'I will strangle whoever came up with this tradition!' Sakura silently vowed as she waited for the feel of Kakashi's soft lips on her own for a quick, but in her opinion, no less potent kiss. She tried bracing herself for her hitherto unknown susceptibility to the Copy Ninja's attraction, but with each kiss that they shared, whatever wall of defense she managed to erect after the previous kiss came tumbling down.

Kakashi was leaning towards her for the kiss, one hand ready to pull down his mask when he noticed her tense face and paused, "Come on Sakura-chan, can't you pretend to at least enjoy it?" He asked her on a whisper. "Surely it can't be that bad. I've never had any complaints before, I'll have you know. And you are seriously in danger of denting my ego here," he added.

Sakura glared at him at his mention of never having had complaints before, thereby highlighting his vast experience in kissing and the gods only knew what else!

"Oh, just KISS ME!" She hissed at him.

Kakashi chuckled at her whispered command, but proceeded to give her the kiss she demanded. It was another quick and simple kiss, but Sakura felt it all the way to her toes, her eyelids closing of their own accord. 'Kami-sama, I'm in trouble,' was Sakura's panicked thought after Kakashi had ended the kiss and let her go.

Kakashi for his part could not help but feel a certain amount of smugness as he witnessed the effect of that last kiss on Sakura. He was also grateful for the protection the mask was according him at the moment for he's pretty sure that Sakura would not take too kindly to the smirk that was currently gracing his mouth. As closely familiar as he was of her quick temper, the sight of that smirk, he knew, will most likely drive her to smack him upside the head, if he were lucky, or have him fly across the room as a result of a chakra infused punch, if he were not so lucky.

The festivities continued until the wee hours in the evening, but it was mostly the shinobi group that was left behind due to their special trainings resulting in stronger constitutions and longer staying power. Sakura endured a lot more teasing and suggestive comments from Ino and surprisingly from TenTen. The older female jounin – Anko, Kurenai, Shizune to name a few were listening on and putting in their two cents every now and then, all in order to get a blush from the bride, and which also managed to produce blushes from the shy and gentle Hyuuga Hinata.

Kakashi suffered his fair share of ribbing from Genma, who was well into his cups by then, as Kotetsu, Izumo and Aoba egged him on. Iruka and the younger members of the group were there to laugh and enjoy themselves at the expense of the groom.

Finally, it was time for Sakura to change and leave with Kakashi. They'll be staying at her apartment as he had already suspended his utilities in preparation for his departure. Sakura's mother had hired a house-sitter for her place as she didn't have the time to do as Kakashi had – she was busy with the wedding preparations to handle all the last minute details. This was a prime example of the benefits and advantages of being an only child – an indulged and well-loved one at that!

The newlyweds departed the party with hoots of laughter and ribald comments from their guests. Sakura also had to go through a tearful farewell from her mother and then a gruff goodbye from her father. She was going to miss them, but she's hoping that this trouble from Tatsuki Ichiro will be over soon. If not, they'd be long six months in Kusa no Kuni, especially in light of her reactions and apparent weakness for Kakashi's kisses.

OooO

"Thank you, Kakashi," Sakura turned to Kakashi in all seriousness as they entered her apartment.

"Hmm?" Kakashi was surprised by Sakura's comment, and looked at her questioningly.

"For everything," Sakura clarified upon seeing Kakashi's questioning gaze. "I know you didn't expect all this bother when you made your offer to help me out of the trouble I'm currently in."

Kakashi started to give her his trademark eye crease, but Sakura interrupted again, "No, please, don't do that. I'm serious. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for what you're doing and what you were willing to do for me. It's above and beyond what a friend might do," Sakura continued her heartfelt speech.

"Sakura," Kakashi stared at her intently, seeing that Sakura was in earnest, "You know there is no need for that. Anyone of us will do the same thing for you. It's just your bad luck that you had to be saddled with me." Kakashi finished self-deprecatingly.

"What do you mean by my bad-luck it was you?"

"Maa. I'm pretty sure any one of the three boys would be preferable to an old fogey like me," Kakashi tried to explain, not sure if he's treading in thin ice again, no-one could ever tell with Sakura. He was of course referring to Naruto, Sai, and Sasuke.

"Oh, stop that, Kakashi! What are you doing? Are you fishing for compliments?" Sakura asked, looking at him sideways. "You know you are not old -- fogey or otherwise!" Sakura said pertly. It was all she could do to stop herself from sticking her tongue at him.

That statement earned her the eye-crease from Kakashi, and this time, she allowed it.

"And besides, this is just a pretend marriage. Nothing's changed. Life goes on as before," this from Kakashi with a nod of his head.

"What do you mean, nothing's changed? Of course there're some changes!" Sakura contradicted, facing Kakashi once again.

Sakura's announcement and the serious look she's currently giving him was making Kakashi nervous once again, but all he said was, "Oh?" his head cocked to the side.

"Well of course! You seriously didn't think that you'd go on as before, Kakashi?" Sakura asked him, indignation plain in her voice. "This may only be a temporary arrangement, but it is a marriage. Marriage is a sacred institution. We said vows and we should honor those vows regardless if this marriage was to be forever or only temporary. And as such, you, being the respectable married man that you are, should not be and will not be going around with other women!

"Aa… Sakura," Kakashi started to interrupt, but was not able to, as Sakura was on a roll.

"And of course, I'll give you the same courtesy. No other men for me either while we're married! It's only fair, since you'll be giving up your women that I should be willing to do the same," Sakura continued, the voice of logic and reason.

Kakashi sweatdropped at this last statement from Sakura, 'Like there are other men in her life,' Kakashi thought to himself. Oh sure, Sakura did not lack in admirers, but she'd never entertained any of the guys he'd seen hovering around her. Kakashi decided to drop the issue. When Sakura got that look in her eyes, one would be better off just shutting up. So, he just gave her his usual grunt and started to walk to the kitchen, and left it at that.

"Kakashi! What do you mean by that "Hm", huh?! I'm telling you now, while we're married, I'll be the only woman in your life! You have a wife now! Kakashi?! Did you hear me?!"

'Oh Gods! I'm screaming like a fish wife!' Sakura thought, but the idea of Kakashi with other women was doing something to her; to her blood. The idea was making it boil!

"Hai, hai, Sakura-chan. I heard you," Kakashi called out to her from the kitchen. Sakura's logic and reasoning were once again making him nervous. His mouth felt dry and his throat parched. He had to down several glasses of water before he felt himself calmed down enough. Once he'd calmed down, Kakashi's latent sense of humor kicked in. 'Heh! Sakura as my wife? Serves her right if I take her words literally...'

'I'm pretty sure she's just exaggerating again. Surely she can't be serious? Six months of no women? Six months of no sex?' A tiny voice within Kakashi asked in panic.

OooO

Later in Sakura's bedroom, Kakashi entered intending to get extra blankets and pillows so he could bed down for the night, when he decided to call Sakura in on her bluff.

"Hmm… So… Sakura… my wife. Are you ready for our wedding night?" Asked Kakashi, watching Sakura closely. He's only wearing pajama bottoms, no shirt and no mask covering his face. His hair, still damp from the shower he'd just taken, down around his face. (think Dante from Devil May Cry)

Sakura was turning down the covers when Kakashi entered. She also just recently had a shower herself and was in her nightwear – a matching tank top and shorts. She looked at Kakashi and could not stop looking. Her earlier imagery of a naked Kakashi flashed through her mind once again. She could not tear her gaze away from Kakashi.

A bare-chested Kakashi!

A semi-naked Kakashi!

Kakashi was taken aback by the blatant sexual awareness emanating from Sakura at the moment and was unable to control his own body's reaction.

It was a few seconds before she realized that he'd spoken and actually processed the words he'd said. Alarmed and embarrassed, she raised her eyes towards Kakashi. Sakura was feeling dazed from an overwhelming combination of embarrassment, shock, and the new and unexpected feelings of sexual attraction for her former teammate. The thoughts his words had evoked in her, in addition to the ones his appearance had already conjured up, had rendered her momentarily confused and a little off kilter. Of course, the feeling didn't last long.

This attraction she has for Kakashi may be new and unexpected, but it was not totally unwelcome. She'd always felt a little left out, and not a little worried, that she'd reached her twenties and had yet to feel the kind of passion that Ino and other kunoichi of their acquaintance had been describing toward the men in their lives. Oh, her past behavior with Sasuke when she was younger didn't count. What she felt for Sasuke then was innocent and of the highly romanticized love. Whenever she thought of herself and Sasuke at those time, was of the two of them going out on dates or walking holding hands while shopping, and maybe exchanging chaste kisses every now and then. She'd never thought of the physical side of things.

The years that Sasuke was gone and having had nothing to feed her inner-fangirl in all through those years had definitely cured her of her puppy-love. Upon his return to Konoha, and the long journey he had to traverse to get to where he is now had brought home to Sakura that what she thought she felt for Sasuke was not the forever kind. The long healing process that Sasuke had to go through, with the help of his former teammates – Naruto and herself, had transformed Sakura from an annoying fangirl, to a close and valued friend, and finally to a honorary sister. The last part was the role she valued the most, being the sister of not only Sasuke, but also of Naruto's and Sai's.

Sakura had always known to follow her instincts and right now, they were telling her to seize the opportunity and make Kakashi aware of her as a woman and not just a friend or a comrade. Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. She'd never consciously tried to seduce a man before and did not know how to go about doing what her instincts were telling her to do. All she could do was stare at him. Devour him with her eyes.

Unbeknownst to Sakura, the hungry look she was currently giving Kakashi was having some kind of physical effect on the Copy Ninja. The unexpectedness of Sakura's reactions to him had caught him unaware. He wasn't prepared to deal with this Sakura. What had happened? Just yesterday, he was just plain Kakashi to her, then all of a sudden at the reception today, it seemed like the blinders she'd been wearing were taken off. Sakura was now aware of him emotionally, physically and sexually. And damn his body was reacting completely and equally.

'This just won't do! This is Sakura-chan.' He valued her too much. She was not like the other women he was used to having casual relationships with. That was all he knew of relationships and that was all he was prepared to have. Casual. Serious attachments were not for him. At least not of the romantic kind, for he had created a serious attachment of some kind with his former teammates. That kind of relationship was all he was ever going to allow himself to have. The whole family, kids and picket-fences bit, he would leave to the younger ones in their group. He was too set in his ways to change now.

And Sakura was totally off-limits! She's the forever kind. When she was in a relationship, be assured that it was a committed one. She did not do casual.

Not only did he value her too much to treat her casually, he also happened to value his life and physical well-being to do so. He knew without being told that should he look at Sakura the wrong way, four extremely strong and powerful men, all four elite shinobi of Konoha, and one insanely strong and powerful lady Hokage will be finding different and imaginative ways to kill and torture him for his sins.

The thought of the many people who would skin him alive (numbering among them was the kyuubi jinchuuriki and the Uchiha survivor) should he ever make the mistake of going there with Sakura had completely cooled his burgeoning ardor. With that in mind, Kakashi approached Sakura at the bed, only meaning to take the two extra pillows she had. Startled by the sudden closeness of Kakashi, Sakura's stomach jittered. It was startling to have him so close to her when just moments before, she was mentally stripping and devouring him.

Inner Sakura on the other hand was alternately angrily telling her to snap out of it and gleefully making suggestions to make a grab for him or jump his bones now!

'He's so close! Can't you just feel the heat from that naked skin? See how smooth it is? Wouldn't you like to touch and feel that?' The hentai inner-Sakura taunted.

'Gah! Shut up!' Sakura told her inner-self.

Kakashi leaned forward to reach for the pillows behind Sakura, completely forgetting, after winning his internal battles regarding the pink haired beauty he'd just married, his earlier suggestive words. His movement brought him so close that his bare arm touched her bare arm. Another jolt hit Sakura, accompanied by a sudden wave of physical awareness. Bemused, Sakura turned her head to face Kakashi, this action brought her face very close to his indeed. She couldn't help her gaze from dropping and settling on those firm and well defined lips. Unconsciously, Sakura's lips parted a bit, as if getting ready to receive a kiss full on. Puzzled by Sakura's continued silence, Kakashi turned to look at her and was alarmed to see the expression on her face. He was so startled that he quickly jerked back; he lost his footing and almost fell on the bed before catching his balance in time.

Clutching the two pillows in front of him like a shield, Kakashi said to Sakura, "Heh… he.. Sorry about that. I'll just be borrowing these two pillows… And maybe a blanket? If you could just point me to where I could find an extra one, I'll be out of your hair."

"Blanket?" Sakura repeated.

"Yeah… I'll bed down on your couch outside," Kakashi clarified.

"Oh, umm.. Here," Sakura finally managed to turn on her brain and took out an extra blanket from her closet and handed it to him. Bearing in mind Kakashi's earlier words and her earlier resolve to make Kakashi see her as a woman instead of a friend, she bravely faced and softly asked him, "What about our wedding night?"

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. "Oh! Ha ha ha! I was just teasing you earlier, Sakura-chan," Kakashi told her nervously and started walking backwards toward the door and made a hasty exit.

OooO

A/N: Chapter 4! Yay me! I struggled a bit with this one. There were so many ideas I wanted to include, I had a hard time organizing my thoughts. I feel like I rushed it a bit? Add the chaos and bother of moving? And having no internet access and PC in my room...? :o(

Oy vey!

Anywhoo… I hope you like.

Thanks to TheQueenofGeeks, show.me.the.stars, Trinneti, Konoha's White Fang, JiraiyasGirl, Juniper11, animefan28, Mateba, Rangerette, HinataLoveNaruto, kyoko123, itachimeri1989, babyycakes for the reviews and to all those how read, favorite'd, and alert'd this story. You all give me the happy. :o)

Please read and review.