Prompt from WhiteScarecrow!

Consequences

"Congratulations!" they cheered as they drank to Naruto's recent promotion to jonin.

He laughed, puffing out his chest. "I mean, was there any doubt?"

"A lot, but you like beating the odds," Sasuke replied. In the background, there were a few agreeing nods. In response, Naruto leapt onto his friend's back and locked an arm around his neck.

Kakashi was also at the party, watching the merry making from a safe distance, when Sakura found him. She forced two mugs of beer on him, announcing, "Beer hands! You can't put them down until you finish."

"Uh." He looked down at the new found condition afflicting his hands. "Really?"

"Yes." Her grin widened. She swayed a little, telling him she'd probably gone a few rounds of 'beer hands' herself. She pressed closer, murmuring, "And I'm going to watch you finish."

Kami, help him. Was he reading too much into it, or was that some kind of innuendo? He stepped away so that he wasn't close enough to notice the warmth she radiated. He figured the fastest way to end this and maintain both of their dignities would be to do as she said (a conclusion the members of Team Seven came to frequently). He chugged.

And chugged.

And chugged.

Loud cheers erupted around him. More drinks were pushed on him. He lost count of number of alcoholic beverages he'd downed. The room started to spin. All the while, Sakura was still there, encouraging him, and it was getting harder to remember why he would want to keep his distance.

She got distracted, turning away from Kakashi. "Naruto—I want to show you—oof." Kakashi grabbed her wrist and tugged her onto the couch.

He put his head on her lap, sighing happily. "That's better. I'm so dizzy."

"You've had a lot to drink," she said, stroking his hair.

"I know." He sounded pitiful.

"You're so cute when you're drunk."

"I'm the fucking Copy Nin. Don't call me 'cute.'" He turned over, pressing his face into her stomach, breathing in her scent.

She giggled, tugging gently on his ear. "That tickles!"

"You smell so nice." His voice was muffled.

"Hm?"

"And you're so smart. And pretty. And I like your laugh," he said, reluctantly pulling away. He screwed up his face in concentration. "What else? Did I say that you're smart?"

"That's the first thing you said." She was blushing.

"Okay, good. Sakura, we should do this more often. I don't know why I thought it was bad idea before, but past-me is a dumbass.

She tapped his cheek. "Past-you did screw you over a lot."

"Right? He better not show his face around here. I'll mess him up."

"I'll point him out if I see him."

"Good. Now, Sakura, there's something I want you to promise future-me: go on a date with him. With me. With him?"

"With you." She went quiet, the hand running through his hair pausing. Then, she snorted. "You're drunk."

He sighed. "Yea, that does make the offer seem less credibill."

"Credible."

"I'm pretty sure it's credibill." He booped her nose. "Don't contradict your old teacher. That's how education works." He nodded to himself, impressed he could come up with something so wise.

"I have an idea to force future-you to go on a date with me."

"What's that?"

"It's an amazing idea. If we wake up in bed together, there's just no going back from that, is there?"

"By golly, you're right. That'll show me!" Kakashi leapt to his feet eagerly, pulling her up with him. "Whose place is closer?"

"Mine. Let's do this." She took his hand.

They took two steps and fell, face forward, dead asleep. The next morning, Kakashi woke up, curled up next to her with his fingers tucked into the hem of her skirt and his legs tangled in hers. His head pounded from his hangover as memories of the night before came in blurry batches. His eye slid over to Sai, who was sitting on the armchair, face paler than usual.

"Why am I on the floor?" Kakashi croaked softly, not wanting to wake Sakura. He cringed. His breath smelled terrible.

Sai rubbed his face, suffering from the after effects of alcohol himself. "We tried to move you guys, but everytime we tried, you threatened that future-you would come in the middle of the night and kill our pets." He frowned. "Even I know that's messed up."

"Oh." Kakashi looked down at Sakura, snoring peacefully in his arms. He contemplated untangling himself from her. That would probably be the proper thing to do. He shrugged and snuggled closer.

Future-Kakashi could deal with the consequences.