AN Thanks so much for the love and support! I churned this out on the way to and from work this morning and couldn't stop myself. More sexy stuff.. Mainly because I love writing a sexy Kakashi. Can you blame me, though? Sorry if there are any mistakes. I've got to head to my next job and need this out!

Please R&R! xoxo

VII.

He smelled her the moment he entered the market, which said a lot more about himself than her carelessness at having a scent. To even the highest ranking ninja, she was just another woman in a crowd of shady characters, but most people hadn't lived with her, so the faint fragrance of freshly washed towels was little cause for notice.

However, Kakashi knew that had he not dreamed of her last night, he wouldn't have been unconsciously seeking her out.

In a ocean of spice, opium, sweat, and sex, a fresh aroma like laundry, especially with such a strong memory attached to it, had the power to draw him in instantly.

He scanned the different vendors, trying to remain as nonchalant as possible. Kakashi hated these kinds of places.

It was so crammed with people that even in an arid climate like Suna's the air was moist with perspiration and pollution.

If it was Sakura's group that's been surveying the market, and Kakashi was certain that Sakura wouldn't be in a place this, or even know of a place like this, then would have to fight her, to incarcerate her, and he wouldn't be able to hide his identity without seeming suspicious.

Where was she?

If her presence had been noticed, then she was obviously conspicuous enough to be taken for an outsider, but not so much that she gave away her village.

Aside from the vendors, most people were dressed in well-worn traveling clothes. So it stood to reason that she was dressed somewhat the same, albeit cleaner. There was no mention of her hair, or even that there was a kunoichi.

If she caught on that she was noticed, surely she would have found a more adequate disguise.

He wanted to summon his pack. It had been so long since he'd seen them, but a sudden burst of familiar chakra would alert her instantly.

If I knew I was being followed, where would I go? Taking into account who's following me, my surroundings.. It would need to be so obvious that no one would think to look there, or if they did there would be enough distractions to manipulate the situation..

"Hello, Kakashi-san. It's only been a week and you're already back."

Kakashi turned to see Kenshin, the only vendor he knew by name. Kenshin was incredibly old, but so incredibly not old fashioned. He sold pornographic videos and novels, as well as an assortment of other aids. Kakashi had known him for many years.

"I'm still reading the one you recommended last week." Kakashi nodded politely. "It's not Icha Icha, but it is still pretty good."

" I guess with a kid it's harder to find time. I've been asking around about those books, but most of them are too valuable to get into my batch."

"I understand, no worries old man." He gave him an eye smile. "You get here early every day, right?"

"Sometimes I even stay the night just to keep my place. These old junkies don't have any respect for their elders."

"I hear you. Listen, I'm looking for a someone new here, possibly a young woman."

Kenshin's leathery face twisted into a wolfish grin. "Well you know you've come to the right place. There's plenty of 'em At Mokuba's Paradise."

Kakashi's eyes widened with understanding. "You, my friend, are a genius."

Kakashi turned on his radio, wincing when static crackled in his ear. "Genshi, Ieyasu, I think I have a lead. Be on guard. Over and out."

Switching the radio off, he headed towards the shadowy alleyways in the back of the market.

In a predominantly male society, there wasn't a much better way to get what you wanted from someone than pretend to be a clueless prostitute. It was a miracle that men still fell for it, but he supposed if it were Sakura, he probably would too.

Finally, he came to the door he was seeking. Knocking four times, the door slowly slid open to reveal a portly man that must have been Mokuba. When he stepped through the first doorway and into the alcove, he felt it instantly. There was a ward on the door that dispelled any illusionary jutsu. That was sure to make this easier.

He smiled, revealing more than a few golden teeth. "Hello, my good man. How may I be of service?"

Kakashi eyed him warily, there was a tinge of darkness in this man's eyes. There was more to him than meets the eye. However most people who traded on the black market were a little sinister, and the slimy look in this man's eyes was no exception.

"I heard there were some new girls yesterday." Kakashi drawled, peeking over the man's shoulder to try and see inside.

"There are always new girls. You'll have to be more specific." Mokuba grinned.

"Well why don't you tell me about the new ones and we'll talk business. Seeing them is most preferable."

It was clear Mokuba didn't want to waste his valuable time on someone like Kakashi. "They are very busy. I only cater to paying customers and I am afraid you don't look like you can afford to see all of the new girls."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and pulled out a kunai, pressing it against Mokuba's jugular. "It wasn't a request. I'm here under specific orders from Nobu-sama. If you want to take this matter up with her, then I'll gladly escort you."

Mokuba's chubby face drained of color and he stuttered a reply, leading Kakashi further into the room.

The lights were low, filtered by red shades that cast a sensual glow throughout the main room. Mokuba guided Kakashi to a large pile of cushions on the floor and made sure to provide him with a bottle of chilled sake. Tapestries hung on every inch of the wall, making it impossible to locate the exits. But the most notable thing was that beneath the thick smoke of incense, he could smell her.

Kakashi pulled his hood over his head, hiding his hair and casting a shadow over his eyes. Then he removed his mask, he would be more noticeable with it.

There were a few new girls, but Kakashi doubted that Sakura would put her all her eggs in one basket, so they must have split up in teams of two.

The first woman was a kunoichi. He knew it instantly in her muscles tone. She had long hair, crystals woven through the strands to look like a waterfall of midnight, and intelligent silver eyes. She gave him a shy smile and sat to his left, her kimono falling open to showcase her caramel skin.

The next woman was definitely not a kunoichi. She had a soft, curvaceous body and bright red hair. Her blue eyes shone with experience as she was seated to his right and poured him a cup of sake.

The curtains opened for what Kakashi knew would be the final time. He held his breath in anticipation, his heart thrumming in his ears. She stepped out with the confidence and poise of someone who didn't come in such a petite package. His mouth went dry as her jade-green eyes locked onto him. She pushed a hand through her pastel locks, bluntly cut into a perfectly symmetrical bob at her chin.

Sakura.

She had become so incredibly beautiful in his absence. She was all sharp lines and sex appeal.

And he wanted her.

Mokuba walked back into the room. "Have you decided, Sir?"

Careful not to speak lest his voice betray him, Kakashi nodded towards Sakura, still standing statuesque in the red glow.

"Very well. Excellent choice. Her first day and she's already been chosen. Moriko, take this fine gentleman to the back and bring the sake."

Sakura nodded, bending over to take the bottle from the redhead, her kimono slipping open. She wasn't wearing anything underneath it.

The walk was silent and tense, only when they were alone and the door was closes securely behind them did Kakashi breath.

Sakura, or Moriko, was still holding the bottle and Kakashi watched as she took a few long gulps, completely ignoring protocol. Satisfied, she wiped the back of her hand across her mouth and turn to pin him with a venomous glare.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Hatake?" She spat. "You think just because it's been almost five years since I saw you without your chakra concealed that I wouldn't recognize you?"

He was speechless. Whatever he'd been expecting, this certainly wasn't it. He desperately tried to find a foothold in the conversation, but he slipped and fell back into a cold stupor each time.

"You heard about some new whore with pink hair and you decide to come have a look-see, is that it? Is this the kind of place you hang out? Seedy black markets to sate your every desire?"

Her face was hard and angry, but her gaze, though acidic it most definitely was, told another story.

He pulled off his hood, letting his wild shock of silver hair free, confirming what she already knew.

"If you think I'm going to service you, you're wrong." She seethed between clenched teeth.

"Wouldn't you like to know if I have any valuable information?"

"Get out before I lose my temper."

He shook his head. "I came here in search of a team of shinobi who were asking too many questions. I believe that I have found them. You won't be fast enough to outrun us. So, you may as well get what you can out of me before you're captured. Then, if you escape, it won't have been for nothing."

He posture spoke of defiance. "Why are you helping me? What reason do I have to trust you?" She asked, unsure.

Kakashi shrugged, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "No reason. I could be lying, but you'd know if I were."

She seemed to be mulling his words over, and Kakashi watched as she was considering his offer. His heart began to pound relentlessly against his ribs.

Sakura turned her back on him, as if testing whether or not he would strike. He took the opportunity to write a note to Ieyasu to find him in fifteen minutes, and to take the raven-haired girl into custody.

The sound of fabric hitting the floor caught his attention, and Kakashi looked up to see the smooth contours of Sakura's bare back. She turned back to face him, he couldn't help the way his eyes roamed over her figure.

"Who do you work for?" She asked in a breathy voice, her fingertips pressing his chest until his legs came in contact with the bed. He fell into a sitting position and she stood before him, legs spread slightly.

"The Teikoku clan." He croaked, her hand was grasping his wrist and guiding it between her thighs. When had she gotten so good at this?

The moment his fingers touched her soft folds, heat exploded through Kakashi's body, his pants tightening almost instantly. Slowly, he ran them over her entrance, watching with rapt fascination as her eyes flooded with desire.

"Where is your base?" Despite that he could feel her trembling, Sakura's voice remained relatively clear, even as she leaned her hands on his shoulders for support as his thumb worked small circles over her.

"Twenty miles north, in the caverns below Demon's Rock." The answer came without him having to even think about it. It was scary. He had no control over his voice. Taking a deep breath, he wondered of the incense was laced with something.

Her knees began to buckle and Kakashi instinctively gathered her in his arms and layed her onto the bed.

He began to shake uncontrollably the longer he watched her, his brain becoming a haze of need that he couldn't shake away.

"Are you a spy?" His fingers had made their way inside her, causing her question to end with a moan.

The feeling of her warm, wet sex nearly did him in. He growled, trying to stop himself, but the words left his mouth instantly. "Yes, I am a spy."

She was now grinding her hips against his hand, her mouth hanging open in a silent scream. He wanted to kiss her desperately, but he was hypnotized.

"Sakura, what's happening to me?" He pleaded, lowering his head until he was nestled between her legs.

"It's the incense. It heightens sexual pleasure to the point that you can't.. Oh, oh that you can't think straight." She tasted just as he remembered, like fruit and a hint of musk. He started curling his fingers inside of her, her clothes between his lips when he registered her words.

She was under the effects of her own drugs to get answers. That meant that if anyone caused her enough pleasure, she'd be just as open as he was. A pretty big gamble.

"When.." Her voice died in her throat, turning into a heady moan. "When are you relocating and is the leader with you..."

He heard her perfectly, despite the way her words slurred together. Kakashi pulled away and couldn't stop himself from kissing her. She clung to his shirt, he lips parted, gasping for breath as she came.

"I that your trick works better when you aren't the one receiving the pleasure." Kakashi murmured in her ear. "In one week. Nobu-sama will leave before that."

Pushing himself upright, Kakashi realized the incense had burned out, and as a result his mind was already clearer. Sakura looked up at him with an unreadable expression.

"Before you take us in, will you do me a favor?"

He nodded, running his hands through her short hair. She leaned into the touch, eyes closing slightly.

"Tell me that if you weren't a spy, that we would still be together, and happy, because this is a lot to process, and if you ever came home, I don't think it would be the same. We can never go back to being those people. I can't do it."

Kakashi felt his heart break as the cracks of her cool facade grew larger, giving him a peak of the sadness beneath. Her wanted to indulge her childish wish, but he shook his head.

"No, I won't do that, Sakura. But I will say this: I will never love anyone the way I have you."

Then, with a kind of sluggishness he didn't usually exhibit, Kakashi reached into his pack, and plunged a senbon into her neck, watching as the potent sedative entered her bloodstream and consciousness faded from her face

If he was lucky, she wouldn't even recall the event had taken place. The door opened just as Sakura fell limp in his arms.