Chapter 21: Snowball Effect
Sakura shook her foot nervously beneath the dining table idly checking her phone. She made it very clear to Kakashi to text her once he was just outside a little ways from her house. Glancing up at her mother who was giving her a hesitant glance here and there from across the table she told her just enough where she was going for the evening. With who exactly? Well… a friend, but that vague information of course wasn't flying very well.
"Which friend?" Her mother asked again with an aggravated sigh. She tapped her well manicured nails on the table out of habit.
"Just a friend. We're going to festival and I'll be back in a couple of hours. You don't need to worry… As much as I'd love to skip out on greeting family tomorrow…I'll be back," Sakura said dully.
"It's Christmas Eve. I don't want you out late with drunks running around."
"I'll be fine."
"Why didn't you visit the festival earlier?" Her mother asked with a sigh.
"It's more fun on Christmas Eve… and you know I'm technically an adult now, right?" Sakura said with an annoyed look.
"Not in my house you aren't."
"…"
This woman was insufferable. Sakura had already returned home for an entire two weeks and already she wanted to leave about as quickly as she came. She loved her mother. She really did, but in small doses. Her mother has been driving her crazy with questions. Sakura had enough of a hard time as it was talking about what exactly she did all semester besides studying and working while avoiding any subject relating to Kakashi. Christmas probably wasn't going to be fun tomorrow. Every other year her mother's sisters would come down with their families. They would take up the entire house, including her bedroom. Last time one of their children thought it would be funny to put crudely drawn penises all over the walls. Guess who had to scrub that off? Sakura sighed. They really had no discipline and she would be expected to look after them most of the time while she was here. Such a pain. Sakura's phone buzzed in her hand. Kakashi wrote that he was outside.
"Okay! Be back later," she muttered quickly pushing her chair back fast making a loud scruff sound.
"Sakura," her mother began to say still wanting to know who this person was she was meeting up with.
Before her mother had a chance to get up to snoop outside the window Sakura was already at the front door fumbling it open quickly and closing it behind her. She ran like her life depended on it into the soft flurries of snow as her steps crunched down throughout the front yard. Glancing quickly she saw Kakashi's car parked just one house away, which she specifically asked for. He wasn't very fond of the idea trying to avoid her mother, but Sakura assured it was the best thing for now. She trotted down the sidewalk making sure to avoid any ice before she pulled open the passenger door. She plopped down inside the warm car. Sakura let out a sigh of relief and rubbed her cold hands together briefly before she placed them up to the heater vent on the dashboard.
Kakashi chucked and said, "Okay... You kind of looked like an escaped convict running like that here."
"I am," she replied while eying him seriously with her green eyes.
"Somehow I almost believe you."
Sakura pouted at that remark as he leaned in quickly while pulling a blue scarf that was wrapped around his neck and face to kiss her chilly lips.
"How've you been, Rudolph?" He asked as he pulled away to tap the tip of her cold red nose. She flinched.
"Did…you just call me a reindeer name?"
"Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" He asked teasingly as he tapped her cold nose again. She glared.
"What kind of sleigh?" Sakura shot back in a seductive voice with a raised brow.
Kakashi hid a smirk and tried to look like he was disturbed, "You're so perverted Sakura. Your mind is always in the gutter. Honestly, I just don't know how our relationship works."
He let out a fake disappointed sigh as he shook his head with a tsk.
"Says someone who reads porn in public," she replied.
Kakashi held his head high and argued, "Its romance."
"It's smut."
"Romance."
"Smut."
"Romance."
"I've read it. It's smut."
"It's romanc –wait wait. Did you say you've read it?"
Now he really did look surprised as he tried to read her face. Suddenly it all made sense. His books had corrupted her. He was half worried it was just his him (though it was most likely the case). Either way it was a small victory in gaining her appreciation for his literature.
"By read, I meant a paragraph."
"Oh," he said with disappointment.
"Which one?"
"I'm not going to tell you. You'll just recite the whole damn thing against my will," Sakura replied with a playful glare.
"I would never do that."
"Uh-huh."
Kakashi smiled at her as she returned it at their inside joke. Shifting his car finally into gear he pulled out into the street to head down towards the center of town.
"So really, how've you been holding up?" he asked again. It had only been a little over a two weeks since he had seen her in person, but he never realized exactly how much he would miss her. It was the kind of feelings like that he was pretty sure some love struck teenage boy would be experiencing. At first he really couldn't believe how he could feel that way about anyone. Then he finally just accepted it. He realized this is was happiness was. It was still very foreign to him, but slowly he was learning to enjoy the fact the he could be happy. It was just something that he had barely ever experienced before in his life.
They had been in constant contact one way or another before the semester finally came to a close. You would think you would get tired of seeing the same person every other day, yet it was the exact opposite for him. There was always something new he might learn about her that would make him smile. How not only when she bit her bottom lip when she was nervous, but also when she was just thinking to herself or how those same lips would part against his easily if he tilted his head just so when he kissed her. The closer January was coming, the more he was secretly a bit excited to have her move in with him. He still couldn't quite grasp how she had changed him so much. He was perfectly fine just having a quiet life alone forever as far as he cared. Now it didn't seem possible.
"I might kill myself," she finally replied sullenly.
"And how long have you had these suicidal tendencies?"
"For the entire time I've been here."
"It can't be that bad…"
"It is. You know what I did yesterday?"
"Read Icha Icha?" he asked jokingly. The day she would do that and admit it is probably the day pigs might fly.
"No."
"Danced in your underwear outside?"
"…"
"Okay, what?" he finally asked.
"Nothing."
"…Okay."
"You don't understand. Talking with my mother… for a whole day….which has been like that almost every day… with nothing to do..."
"Oh… Now I have sympathy for you. You know what I did?"
"What?"
"Nothing but missing you greatly," he said sweetly.
"And I missed you too, Mr. Cheese," she said while nudging his shoulder.
"Which I'm glad you decided to visit town for a few days," she added with a smile.
"It's not like I have anything else to do."
This was certainly true. He never did anything for the holidays. Unless avoiding daylight as he hid inside his house like some bear going into to hibernation was considered doing something. His friends would invite him over to stay for the holidays, but he always felt like a bother. He wasn't apart of their families and he didn't want the pity that he was usually alone. He almost decided against coming to see Sakura to leave her be with her family, but from the sounds of it when she talked with him over the phone she was going to be pretty miserable…and what would be the harm in spending time with each other? Besides having to avoid her mother like Sakura wished to do for now… which made him feel a little uncomfortable… but if he thought of it like a game it didn't seem so bad... He realized what a terrible thought that was.
His eyes glanced around familiar buildings as they drove closer to their destination. Their hometown was nothing like Tokyo in a lot of ways. There were open spaces, fields and trees as far as the eye could see in the distance; however, it had its fair share of suburbs and decent sized businesses spread throughout. It was nice here and rather relaxing. There wasn't the constant rush of traffic and people everywhere. He probably missed that the most though he enjoyed the change of scenery from moving.
Shortly he pulled into an open parking space which the lot itself was already filled with a fair amount of parked cars. There was always a Lights Festival every year during the week of Christmas. It seemed to get bigger and more popular each year. The entire central park and surrounding areas close by would be completely decorated in white lights. There were a few carnival rides they would set up as well as plenty of local vendor shops ranging from food to various knick knacks which were mostly lined up along the closed main street. Usually he would check it out each year when he lived here. You'd never know what interesting things you might find.
Kakashi readjusted his scarf in lieu of a mask before exiting and locking the car. He made damn sure he had his keys this time. He patted them in his pocket just to be extra sure. He walked to the front of the car and held out a fingerless gloved hand for Sakura to join his. She took it and held it firmly while giving him a small tug pulling him up to the sidewalk. Sakura adjusted her knit cap as they walked to avoid the sparse flurries of snow falling into her eyes.
As they entered the park they passed under one of the metal gated archways which were wrapped in white lights. Kakashi pulled her back from going any further.
"Can't waste opportunities," he said.
Sakura stared at him with a puzzled look before noticing there was several mistletoes tide up on the very top of the archway.
"Oh," she replied hiding a blush.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her briefly dipping his scarf barely enough to do so before pulling it up again. She smiled bashfully before pulling his hand into walking along the sidewalk once more.
"Hum, what to do first..." she began to say to herself as her eyes searched the distance. There were so many attractions she wasn't sure where to even begin.
"Just so you know… I don't do rides," Kakashi spoke up.
"Awe... come on," she replied with a pout.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I just don't."
"Because you're scared?"
"No..." he lied. He wasn't sure what it was about them, but carnival rides just seemed… like a death trap waiting to happen. Always creaky…and rusty…and the smell of vomit was probably somewhere plastered in the seats. That couldn't be even remotely fun.
"Then why…?"
"…"
"Just come on at least one ride with me. Please?" she asked while snuggling his arm.
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"Pretty pretty please?"
"No."
"Pretty, pretty, pretty please?" she tried to look up at him with sad green eyes but he was keeping a stoic face looking forward.
"No."
"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"
"No."
"Pretty please with whipped cream and a cherry on top?"
"No."
"Pretty please with chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry on top?"
"No."
"Pretty please with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry on top?"
"No," Kakashi replied with a hidden smile.
"..."
Sakura sighed defeated.
"…Unless the nuts, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and cherry on top is all over you…and nothing else," he said probably a little too happily imagining that.
"…"
-smack-
She gave him a good hit to the side of his bicep.
"What? If you do that then I'll be more than happy to go on a ride with you. I'll ride you all day long."
-smack-
"I mean ride on top of you."
-smack-
"I mean ride with you…"
"…I hate you," she muttered.
"I thought we had gotten past that finally. Don't you love me yet?"
"Nope," she replied with a frown.
"And if I go on one ride with you…of my choice… will you stop hating me?"
Her eyes looked up hopefully, "Yes."
"Fine then…"
"Yay!" she exclaimed with a slight hop. She began to tug him faster down the sidewalk sidestepping around other couples and families.
"Ugh…"
Kakashi tried to think of ways he could take it back. She seemed a bit too happy about it though. He sighed. It was pretty unlikely anything would happen… he just needed to bite the bullet and get over his unfounded fear about carnival rides. He was going to make sure he picked the slowest…most safest looking one though.
"What about that one?" she asked while pointing.
The ride looked like a ship that would swing back and forth until ultimately flipping over.
"Hell no," he spat.
"What about…that one?" she asked while pointing at one that seemed to spin in circles while victims…er….people were strapped inside.
"Hell to the no."
Sakura made a sad face as they continued to walk hand in hand. She pouted at his responses as he was saying no to basically everything. Her thoughts faded away looking at all the various stands they were passing by. As the fog of her breath would rise into the night sky, she admired how beautiful the stars looked for a moment before squeezing into Kakashi's arm more tightly. She felt so happy to be here with him.
"SAKURAAAAAAAAAAA-CHANNNNNN!"
"God, why?" Kakashi muttered his under his breath already knowing that ear pinching voice. He felt Sakura being tugged away from his arm. He sighed and turned around to see Naruto spinning Sakura in dizzying circles.
"Hello, Naruto," she said blinking back the white lights that was spinning around in her head when he finally stopped.
"I can't believe you're here! How awesome! Hey Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto said a bit too loudly.
"Hello…Naruto."
Naruto seemed to always find them no matter what they did. Even in Tokyo. He tried his best to avoid Naruto's idea of joining him and Sakura for lunch once a week, but no matter where he went Naruto would always find him or Sakura and drag himself along. He wasn't a bad kid. Just annoying. Most of the time.
A girl trotted up behind Naruto as she panted like she must had been running. She pulled back her fallen long hair before smiling unsurely at them while looking at the ground.
"N-Naruto-kun…"
"Oh! Hey, this is Hyuga Hinata," Naruto spoke giving her a pat on the shoulder making her blush.
"H-hello… I remember you…b-both from school…um…Sakura-chan and….um…Kakashi-s-sensei…" Hinata stuttered as she bowed briefly.
"They're together!" Naruto said pointing at them both back and forth with one hand rather rudely like they were spectacles. Hinata only managed to blush adverting her eyes in response managing an, "O-oh."
"Hello, yes I remember you from my old class," Kakashi said politely.
"We were in a lot of classes together. How are you, Hinata? Do you still live here in town?" Sakura asked with a warm smile.
"Oh, I've been taking classes here at the community college, but I was thinking of transferring to T-Tokyo."
"I keep telling her how great it is. She's afraid of moving," Naruto piped up.
"It's actually quite nice. I'd recommend it… and you know… you could see Naruto probably everyday again," Sakura said.
Hinata blushed and said, "I-I wouldn't want to bother him or anything…"
"Aren't you two…together?"
Her blush deepened probably two shades of red and began to tap her two index fingers together while staring at the ground, "N-n-no… just…we just here as friends…"
"Ah…I see."
Sakura knew how much of a gigantic crush she had on Naruto for as long as she can remember. He had to have known by now…right? Sakura stared at his goofy grin. He was probably too much of an idiot to realize it. She should probably just outright tell him and save Hinata some agonizing trouble. She wondered how they even managed to come to the park together.
"We were heading to the ferris wheel. You guys want to come?" Naruto asked.
Sakura looked up at Kakashi hopefully. He sighed inwardly. That was probably the slowest, safest ride here. He didn't want to go with Naruto though… he felt a nudge in his chest from Sakura as he was taking too long to answer.
"Um…sure… Why not?"
Sakura clapped happily. Finally. They were going to least go on something together. She didn't mind Naruto and Hinata coming, but first she needed to put things in motion for Hinata. As they all began to walk towards the large ferris wheel that was by the river not too far away, Sakura pulled Naruto aside.
She whispered in his ear, "You know Hinata likes you, right?"
"W-what?" he blurted with a blush.
Sakura sighed. God he was stupid. She glanced at Kakashi as he had already pulled out an Icha Icha book to distract himself. She let go of Naruto and walked to Hinata who was trailing behind everyone staring at the ground awkwardly.
"Hey, Hinata-chan… You should go walk next to Naruto…"
"O-oh…um…."
"Trust me."
Sakura began to push her towards Naruto until she was finally side by side with him. They both were blushing. It was so adorable to Sakura. She smiled at her quick handy work before settling beside Kakashi as he flipped a page.
"Interesting," he said.
"I know… They are so clueless…"
Kakashi pointed to a page in his book. "In this page here it talks about how this character named Sayo offers herself as dessert to her lover covering herself with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and a cherry on top with nothing else on. Are you sure you don't read Icha Icha?"
"You're a damn liar. It doesn't say that," Sakura said with another light smack to his arm.
"It does."
"No… Not possible."
"It does. You don't need to hide that you read it from me. I find it really kinky…"
"I don't read your smut!" Sakura yelled getting a few stares from not only the people around them but a glance from Naruto and Hinata.
"I would never lie to you. It says it right here," he replied while tapping a page. He hovered it front of her.
"I don't want to look, shoo," she said while flying a hand to push the book out of her sight.
"Because you know I'm right?"
"No, I don't believe you."
"Then look."
"No."
"Look."
"No…"
"If I'm wrong I'll go on any other ride with you tonight no matter which one you choose, but if I'm right and not lying to you I fully expect you to reenact this whole page just for me."
"…"
He couldn't be serious and there was no damn way it could have possibly listed out exactly what she said earlier. She glanced at his happy grinning eyes. He was bluffing and he was going to pay for it. She'll make him ride every damn thing here with her.
"Give it to me," she said with an outstretched hand.
Kakashi happily did so making sure to point exactly where she needed to read. She sighed as she glanced between the book and what was in front of her making sure she didn't hit anyone as she read. She had no idea how he could walk and read so easily.
'He stood in the doorway letting his eyes readjust to the dim candlelit room. The house seemed so quiet except for the creek of the floorboards with each step he took. Deep red petals were scattered into a trail which led into the dining room. What was going on? His wife was still away. Did she come back early? He followed the trail slowly until he reached a brightly lit dinner table. In the center was his mistress… the very same one who had stolen his heart merely by the look of her brown eyes. She looked up at him sweetly from the table arching her back. She was completely nude. Except that she was covered with nuts, chocolate sprinkles, whipped cream and a single cherry on top…right on top of each of her breasts and clean shaven…'
"OH MY GOD!" Sakura yelled hysterically while she slammed his book into the snowy ground as if it had burned her hand. More stares glanced their way. Naruto actually looked worried for a moment before turning around figuring he should stay out of it.
"Hey! That's a special edition one," Kakashi said as he picked it up and wiped it off like it was a precious piece of gold. He tried to frown but the panic in Sakura's eyes was so damn hilarious.
"So… what night did you want to reenact that?" he asked with a smile. He said it about as nonchalantly as if he was ordering a pizza.
Sakura folded her arms as kept looking forward with a blush. She said nothing and kept walking stomping into the ground.
"Well…?"
"…"
"I'll let you think about it for now," he said with a soft reassuring hug around her shoulders.
Sakura tried her best to ignore looking at him the whole time until they had to wait in line at the ferris wheel. Every time he tried to say something to her she should look away into the distance. He sighed. At least Naruto's constant chattering was filling in the awkward silence.
"Oh, hey guys let's have ramen after this! My favorite ramen shop called Ichiraku is here!" he said with an excited fist pump.
"S-sure Naruto-kun!" Hinata said happily.
"Sure," replied Sakura.
Kakashi simply sighed. He was so sick of ramen for the past month. It was all Naruto would ever want when he had lunch with them. Least he would never make the mistake of ever being forced to buy for him again.
Finally it was their turn. Naruto offered to let them go into the first carriage. Sakura mumbled as Kakashi pulled her along inside wanting to get it over with fast as possible. They sat pretty snugly next to each other as they were slowly going up to have the rest of the carriages filled with people before it would fully start circling.
"Sakura…" Kakashi said with a sigh that fogged into in the cold night air.
"Hum…?" she replied still not looking at him.
"You don't really have to do it…You know me well enough to know that, right?"
Kakashi held an arm around her bringing her close into his chest. He hoped she really wasn't mad…
"Yes well… I don't like being wrong for one thing…and I still can't believe that was in your book. How do read that in public?"
He shrugged.
"I'm just unfazed by it I suppose. You on the other hand…"
"What about me?" she glared.
"So innocent. It's always cute."
"I…I am not."
"To some degree, but trust me. You pretty much are."
"No… I'm not."
"You don't have the faintest idea of the things I could do to you."
"…"
Sakura seemed to turn red.
"See? You're blushing."
"N-no I'm not. It's cold."
"You're blushing."
"I-I'm not."
"Right…There there. Just enjoy the scenery," Kakashi said with a pat on her shoulder while they slowly were being pulled into the very top of the ferris wheel. It actually did look quiet beautiful. The moon was full and bright as it would show itself on and off through passing clouds. It reflected off the river's streaming water below them. You could see the vast amount of speckled amber street lights mixed into several of hundreds of houses in all directions that were mostly decorated in all sorts of combinations of flickering red, green, blue and white Christmas lights.
"Oh! Quick take a picture with me before we pass the top."
"I don't do pictures."
"Please… Just for me?"
He sighed. "Fine…"
Before he could say anything else she had already brought out her phone from her purse. She tapped it a few times to get it into camera mode and pulled him closer to her before snapping a picture. She turned the phone to take a look. Kakashi looked completely crossed eyed.
"Damn it Kakashi, take a nice one."
"Fine…"
She pulled him closer again and snapped another picture one more time. She turned it and sighed. He had managed to make one eye look in one direction and the other in the complete opposite direction. He held back a laugh as he looked at it.
"I really hate you," she muttered.
"I'll take a real one. I promise. One more…"
"Ugh…"
For the third time she pulled him close before giving him a warning glare. She took one last picture and looked at it hoping it actually looked normal. Thankfully it did. She wouldn't have to throw him off this damn ferris wheel.
"Thank you…" she finally said pleased at the picture of them. She placed the phone back in her purse. She sighed. She was really annoyed at his antics so far. Although perhaps she was more embarrassed and irked about his book earlier. She really did hate to lose. Maybe also it was because they could clearly hear Naruto chattering away at Hinata about the different kinds of ramen Ichiraku had. Kind of ruining any notion of any possible romance at all…
"So Kakashi…" Sakura began to say as she watched their surroundings dip higher as the ferris wheel turned.
"Hum?"
"What kind of things would you do to me?"
"W-what?" his voice kind of cracked. He cleared his voice trying to play it off.
"Well, you said I don't have the faintest idea. So why don't you enlighten me?"
"Uh…"
He didn't expect her to say that. She knew it as she smiled to herself as he struggled what to say.
"Well? Or are you all talk, no action?"
"…"
Kakashi could not believe what he was hearing. He startled to chuckle, "You are… really asking for it, aren't you?"
"Well? What do you want to do to me?"
"Right now…well…"
He leaned over pulling his scarf down and whispered into her ear, "I want to do this…"
Licking a tongue into her ear he began to circle his tongue before softly sucking on the bottom of her ear lobe.
"Mmm, that's nice," she muttered while leaning into him.
He worked his way down her neck stopping for a moment as they circled the bottom again before rising back up to the top. He continued his teasing kisses like that until the ride had begun to let people out for the next people in line. They were almost at the top again before they would have to come down.
"And then this…"
Slipping a hand beneath the inner lining of her open coat with his cold fingers they found their way to the bottom of her bare stomach beneath her shirt. She shuddered at his icy hand at first before it quickly warmed up as he rubbed along her stomach going lower and lower into her to pants. He unbuttoned the top of her jeans.
"Kakashi…"
"You wanted to know…"
Kakashi unzipped her pants slowly as he slid his hand beneath her cotton panties. He knew didn't have much time until they were viewable by people again as they were sitting at the top now. This was perhaps more thrilling than he would have liked to admit. He entered a finger into the top her sensitive spot.
"Already wet?" he whispered.
"Mmm," was all she managed to say. Her eyes were half closed as she slid a hand against the groin of his pants. She almost couldn't bear it while he began rubbing teasingly against her in circles. Before she had time to contemplate what was happening her pants were already zipped and buttoned again.
"Kakashi…" she moaned disappointedly.
"Sorry ma'am, but your time is up. Thanks for flying Kakashi Airlines," he smirked at his joke.
Sakura seemed too out of it to even register what he had had just said. He had to admit he was a little sad how short it was as well. Their carriage had lowered into the crowd. By the time they were let out Sakura had shakily stepped down with wobbly knees. Kakashi seemed pretty pleased at himself. Not only that, but when she glanced back at him he purposely began to lick his fingers that he had touched her with. The look on her face. Priceless.
"So, you all set for some ramen?" Naruto asked coming up behind them excitedly as they were finally let out as well.
"Um… No… Actually I'm not that hungry and um… We need to go… see…do… something… So…see you both a bit later!" Sakura said quickly before pulling Kakashi without a word into the crowd.
Naruto and a blushed Hinata looked at each other for a moment before Naruto shrugged. He took Hinata's hand as they went off to find his beloved ramen.
TBC
[ Author Note: So yeah… have you been naughty or nice this year? That will determine what happens next chapter. -wink wink- -nudge nudge-
So! That silly contest I entered where I made a little panel scene from the story. Feel free to check out my finished work linked on my profile page. I'm still new to drawing so it could be better, but it's better than stick figures. I decided to change what scene to draw at the last moment. I ended up going with user perfect beauty's suggestion. So if you're out there enjoy.
Also credit to the pretty please part is totally snagged from one of the Monkey Island games. I love that series. So funny.
-places out a platter of Santa's cookies-
Reviews appreciated! Don't forget to tell me if you've been naughty or nice this year. ^_^ ]