Chapter 29: Chasing the Dream
A/N: A consensus… All hail the smutbunnies! Thank you for your kind comments about my rabid smut bunny. You all flatter me. The hints in this chapter are relatively subtle (I think), and so is the motif, but it is there. Gah! I'm getting to the point in the mission that I'm dying to get to! I can't wait!
TipsyRaconteur: The beginning feels so far away… Thank you~ I try to aim for quality, though I suppose that's subjective in fanfiction. I'm super flattered, btw, that you are enjoying the non-romance plot, especially since I mentioned that I felt that action is my weakness! coolkakashisama too! hehe.
Not once had Sayuri turned around to speak.
She had not even made eye contact with Sakura as she arrived in class. She didn't respond to Itsuki's excited chatter nor the death of his enthusiasm when he was left unreceived by her.
Sayuri stared straight ahead into space, leaving everything in her immediate surroundings without acknowledgement.
Empty. Her eyes were a void, her already puny voice absent entirely as if she were simply a vessel.
And even when Imada-sensei called her name, furrowed her brow in concern, the only response was a silent turn of the head in her direction.
"Okay…" Imada-sensei said hesitantly, walking away slowly to approach the guest seated in the middle of the room.
A woman had been sitting on a stool wearing black tights and a tank top. She had a velvety green shawl that was elegantly draped over her shoulders. Her chestnut hair was rolled tightly into a bun in order to expose her elongated neck and to keep the focus on the shawl. She looked cold; the heavy fabric was not enough to shield her from the chilly air, which was growing colder as the season transitioned from late fall to winter.
"I picked this shawl because of how nicely velvet falls and the slight nuances of color variation depending on where it folds," she explained cheerily. "The style is realism. Your task is to paint it, of course, capturing all of the shadows, highlights, and color changes as it falls onto the body. Try your best."
And then Imada-sensei clapped. It was her signal to begin, which sent all four students into a series of different approaches. Meanwhile, sensei went to look for a space heater.
Yuuto immediately took hold of his palette and grabbed a dark green tube of paint. His attention alternated between the model and his paint tube. Sakura imagined that Yuuto was musing about how to make this realist piece a little more melancholic than realism allowed. Itsuki, on the other hand, grabbed a pencil and started chewing on the eraser. He seemed more concerned about everything but his task, and was staring blankly at his canvas as he chewed. Sayuri, on the other hand, despite her robotic state, picked up her brush and worked her magic. Within a moment, she already had the major base of the apple green and was applying a forest green as the shadows.
Imada-sensei had found a space heater and had turned it on to warm the room. Additionally, she had begun to play something like classical lobby music to "stimulate the mind" and-more realistically-to drown out the silence and white noise of the heater.
Sakura felt as though this was the time to talk to her-Sayuri was always a little more lively when she began to paint. She began to prepare herself to move over. Picking up her own palette, she smeared some primary colors, but mostly various shades of green and beige.
With hopeful eyes, Sakura lifted herself from her stool, then shifted her canvas, palette, and sketching pencil to the opposite end of her workstation-directly behind Sayuri's back. Afterwards, she dragged the the stool with a screeching sound, causing her classmates to peer upwards.
"Sayuri," Sakura whispered as she leaned back, almost touching her shoulder.
"Yes?" Sayuri responded quietly, unemotionally… but it was something.
"I'll never get over how you work so quickly. You already have something amazing on your canvas."
No response.
Sakura collected herself for a moment, pencil sliding lightly over the canvas as she traced the shape of the model's body until she was ready to try again.
"So… what happened after you left with Masuyo that day? I haven't seen you since. Are you okay?"
"Masuyo has been helping me grow as an artist." Sayuri's voice sent a chill down Sakura's spine. She knew this sound-it was absolutely the same tone as those who had been hypnotized before. "I am indebted to him for his support."
She didn't even have to look at Sayuri to know what her expression was. She paused and picked up her paint to outline the body in a tan color.
"Are you meeting him again today?"
"Yes."
Then Sakura heard the faint thump of a fist hitting the table. Her attention followed the sound to see Itsuki clenching his fists and baring his teeth in a jealous rage.
This poor boy, Sakura thought.
"Will you have time for our session again tomorrow?"
"No."
This time Sakura could almost feel Itsuki's emotions. It wasn't as strong as his, but at the very least, she began to feel the loss of a friend. Sayuri wasn't here anymore, even if she was in front of them. But his loss almost reminded her of her own previously unrequited love, reaching out for Sasuke and feeling like she would never amount to anything in his eyes.
She was sad for Itsuki.
"Sayuri," Sakura breathed out, forcing a chipper tone as she applied a base green to the shawl. Maybe she was in there somewhere. "Don't forget about your friends! It's healthy to maintain both your friendships and your-"
"I love him," Sayuri interrupted. "He's the only one I need."
Other than the clatter of Itsuki dropping everything he held in his hand, a loud silence descended over the room-even above the sound of the heater and the faint electric music.
Sakura's eyes wandered in Itsuki's as a side-glance. She didn't want it to be obvious that she was checking in on him. His head was slightly tipped back, eyebrows scrunched as he looked up at the ceiling, and his lips formed a tight line as his chest seemed to heave. And then she shifted her attention to Yuuto, who was already waiting for her to look at him as he shook his head.
She didn't know what he was trying to say to her, and so they stared at each other sternly for about 10 seconds, communicating absolutely nothing. Then she turned her attention to her work.
Because the was a body involved, Sakura found herself easily able to focus on the task. The arms were taking a dimensional shape due to the shadows and the highlights, her neck and jawline were developed and elegant under her brush, the hands which rested above each other on her lap looked delicate-it was just the shawl she had to work on. Maybe she would leave this part for Sai…
Suddenly they heard the click of the doorknob, and the sliding of the studio door in time with the metal screech of Imada-sensei's chair as she stood to acknowledge the visitor-an older, balding, administrative man in a navy blue yukata jacket. He didn't seem much more expressive than Sayuri did.
Imada-sensei greeted him with a courteous bow.
"Hello," the man spoke amicably in her direction, portraying a false sense of friendliness. "I'm simply here to make rounds and observe. Don't mind me."
Sensei nodded and sat down and Sakura moved herself to her proper seating at her station, facing front. His path begins with Itsuki, who honestly hadn't made much progress and so he quickly left his table. The man had sputtered a few hmms at Yuuto's workstation before moving onto Sakura's where he stood silently behind her, making no comment or indication of his pleasure.
With the tension already in the room, Sakura couldn't help but feel dread in response to his presence; it was as though this visitation forebode something that would be unwelcome. Like the other afflicted citizens, he seemed like a vessel too-controlled by some outward influence.
As he moved along to Sayuri, the man didn't even hesitate to crouch and bring his mouth straight to her ear. Sakura watched him closely. The man smiled as he whispered something unintelligible to everyone else. It was the first expression she'd seen from this man, and it sent a shiver down her spine to see it happen so close to Sayuri.
At that very moment, Itsuki stood up angrily, making sure everything around him made noise as he went. Itsuki regarded the man with eyes of both warning and worry. As the man stood straight, not once did Itsuki break eye contact.
"Sensei," Itsuki called out sternly, not moving to shift his cautionary gaze. "Sorry, but I'm just not in the mood for this crap."
And then he stuffed his hands in his pockets and stormed out, slamming the door behind him as he went.
Sakura's eyes went into a flurry to gauge the reactions. She first looked at sensei, who seemed instantly worried and a little sullen. Then looked at Yuuto who had leaned back and crossed his arms. He shrugged his shoulders in her direction before turning back to his canvas, seeming somewhat unaffected but surely bothered by the tension. Sayuri, however, made no move, no flinch for the troubled affection of her childhood friend.
The man, however, gave a wider smile. "Imada-sama," he began. "Please forgive my intrusion. I will take my leave. Most of your students are doing well."
"Thank you," she replied softly. Then the man made his exit.
The moment class ended, Sayuri silently packed her things and left. The model's departure was not too far behind. And with each slide of the door came the strong gust of cold air.
Sakura wished above everything else in that moment that Katsuyu was there, and that they had the ninken to chase after both Sayuri and Itsuki, but she understood at they were currently at a disadvantage-unable to access some of the very specialized skills that put them above the average jonin.
If she had the summons available, she would have had Katsuyu inform Bisuke to follow Itsuki and Pakkun or Akino to follow both Sayuri and the administrative man.
But as a presently limited jonin, she only had herself and Kakashi-when she could get to him. It was back to the basics and it hadn't occurred to her just how naked a jonin could really feel during a long term undercover mission.
As Sakura began to pack her things, she looked at her painting to see the stark contrast in her ability to paint bodies, and her ability to paint clothing.
"The body looks way better than your shawl does," Yuuto said from behind her. He was already packed, bag slung over his shoulder.
"Thanks, I'm aware," she replied sarcastically, picking up her bag and canvas as she looked at him with an annoyed face.
Instead of responding, Yuuto nudged his head in the direction of the door. He seemed to suggest that he follow her so that they could talk.
"I'll meet you outside," Sakura said quietly. "I'd like to speak to sensei first."
He shrugged and made his way outside. Sakura's skin pricked as the door let the warm air out and welcomed the cold.
"Sensei," Sakura asked as she slowly approached her desk, rubbing her arm to warm herself. She looked up, clearly in a somber mood. "I… know that you and Sayuri used to be close. I could tell from when Sayuri addressed you by your first name. I haven't known Sayuri for very long, but I thought we were becoming friends…"
Sensei sighed heavily and leaned back onto her chair with her eyes closed, brows curled upwards in a look of worry.
"What's wrong with her...?" Sakura asked lightly.
"Akiyama-san, I just… don't know…" Sensei responded hesitantly, crossing her arms and looking down at her lap.
Sakura intuitively knew that she was lying. Sensei was avoiding her gaze, fiddling her thumbs, keeping things short.
"If you don't mind, can I ask how you know each other?"
At this, Sensei looked up with a slight smile, meeting Sakura's eyes and seemed genuine. "I used to babysit Itsuki and Sayuri together… when her parents were out of town and her grandmother was too ill and elderly to care for her."
Imada-sensei looked away again, her eyes softening as she seemed to reminisce about fond memories.
"And… this Masuyo. She told me he summons her sometimes. When did this start…? Is he a good man?"
The soft look was instantly replaced with something like fleeting fear before she regained her facial composure.
"Of course," she replied dubiously. "Masuyo-sama is among the best of us. He took interest in her when the reputation of her painting skills made it to his desk."
Strangely enough, Imada-sensei did not seem like she was hypnotized to say this. She was saying it on her own accord. Whether or not she was lying, however, was another story.
What was she hiding? What did she know that she wasn't willing to disclose?
"But… she seems so different after she sees him. What does he want with her?"
"Akiyama-san, Masuyo-sama has nothing but the best interest in mind. He wants to help her realize her dreams."
Sensei's eyes flashed a look of determination, as if she believed what she was saying, but most of all, as if she was pleading to end this conversation.
Sakura knew then that she would not get anything else out of her, and it wasn't wise to press.
"I see… Well thanks, sensei. See you tomorrow."
Sensei did not respond as Sakura let herself out.
And as the cold air enveloped her body, she heard Yuuto shuffling his weight to stand straight. He had been leaning against the wall.
"Don't bother with this," Yuuto warned sternly.
Sakura's eyes widened in wonder and curiosity.
"What are you-"
"There's no use in getting involved." Yuuto turned his back to her as he began to walk away. Sakura felt that he knew she would follow him to ask more.
"Involved in what? Can't I just be worried about a friend?"
"Don't you think things are getting a little weird around here?" Yuuto rubbed his hands together to warm them, then blew onto them before stuffing them into his pocket. "Sayuri fading in and out of herself, Itsuki acting like a sick puppy, and sensei seeming so upset?"
Sakura had caught up to him and fell in line beside him. They were walking out of the courtyard and towards the main square. "Of course I do. That's why I'm asking about it."
"It seems like we're the only normal ones here… and you're not even an artist."
What? Sakura felt her stomach drop. She'd been worried that her cover was blown for some time. Maybe Yuuto knew? Regardless, Sakura felt the need to defend herself.
"I told you," she admonished. "I'm just here to learn."
Yuuto chuckled almost arrogantly, or at least it seemed as so to Sakura since he was clearly going to criticize her. "I've been doing this all my life," he began. "and I know a complete novice when I see one. It's likely that Sayuri-heck, even sensei noticed too. Itsuki is too lovestruck to notice."
"And so what if I'm a novice?" Sakura countered in an annoyed tone. Their relationship was really quite informal-he was just so rude. "I just want to learn."
"Listen," he sighed, continuing to look forward as they walked. "I don't care why you're here or if you're really here to learn, but this is something normal people don't get involved in."
The use of the word normal sent her into a mini-panic.
"I don't understand. What are you trying to say?"
"There's something weird about this school, Haruna. It's not just this class. I've seen it in other classes, I've heard it through other students. It happened to other students, not just Sayuri-and it's always the really great ones."
He paused for a moment. Sakura looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"The good ones get summoned, they come back quiet, and then they disappear-off to their magical business somewhere out in the promised land of Masuyo Institute."
This was important information. Perhaps this is what Imada-sensei was hiding-that students regularly disappear. The guise of business ventures was skillful and surely enough to keep suspecting students and villagers doubtful enough.
"If you think something is wrong here, why do you stay?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Because my family sacrificed a lot to send me here. The plan is to stay average until the end… til I can go home and kick off my father's dream."
"A painting business?"
"No," he chuckled. "My major is wood-working. He wants to start a furniture business to ride the wave of development in larger villages. I'm taking this class for personal enjoyment. And credits."
"Oh," was all she could say in response.
"If I were you, I'd lay low Haruna-san-not that they'd choose you for skill anyway, but don't stick your nose into it. If you're not in this for the long haul, I suggest you cut this expensive learning adventure of yours so that you and your husband can invest your energy somewhere else."
When she and Yuuto parted ways, she found herself heading towards the bakery. She had never been to the local bakery before, but she asked civilians and store keepers as she went. Soon, the smell of fresh bread filled the air, and she felt she could follow her nose as if she were a ninken.
She giggled at the thought and wondered if Kakashi ever felt like this.
The bakery seemed like an older storefront-one that had been around for a long time-and simply had a wooden sign in the shape of a bread to signal their goods. It had a small glass display window and a heavy wooden door.
When Sakura entered, she heard the jingle of the bell, and Itsuki's head rose from the counter.
"How did you find me?" he asked indifferently. He ran his hand through his wavy brown hair and then rested his chin on his palm.
"Sayuri once told me that your family owned the local bakery," Sakura replied kindly, offering him a smile despite his disinterest. "Can we talk?"
"No, I'm working."
"Ah, I just… saw how upset you were when you stormed out, and I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."
Suddenly, a plump woman with brown hair tied into a high bun poked her head out of the door to the kitchen.
"Itsuki-kun! A customer? Hello miss!"
"No, oka-san," he called back as he stood, shooting Sakura a glance to signal that he didn't want his mother . "A classmate. We have a project together. I'll be back. She just wants to talk about it."
"Alright!" his mother called, retreating to the back once again. Itsuki made his way around the counter, motioning Sakura to follow him outside.
"My mom doesn't need to worry about me," he said as soon as the door shut, leaning his back against the wall beside the entry.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it so loud."
"It's not your fault," he sighed, crossing his arms and closing his eyes.
There was a moment of silence between them as Sakura stood in front of Itsuki's unmoving frame.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"I'm afraid for her…" Itsuki exhaled heavily and ran his fingers through his hair again. She saw him look up and to the left-not really focusing on anything-then clench his jaw as he swallowed.
Sakura waited.
"Yuri-chan used to be so full of energy. She was quiet, but that's what was sweet about her. Her laugh would light up a room… But then she started seeing Masuyo, and she started to change. I know that something is wrong between them, he's got to be doing something to her!"
His fists clenched as he dropped it against the wall, producing a thud.
"I've been trying so hard to get Sayuri's spark back, but nothing is working, Haruna-san… I feel like Sayuri is slipping farther and farther away from me…"
Sakura felt the ache in her chest. She remembered… she felt just like this when she watched Sasuke spiral out of control in their childhood, when she couldn't do anything to stop the hatred festering in his heart, when she couldn't stop him from leaving Konoha, when she couldn't convince him to come home, when she began dreaming of a life that eluded her to this day.
"You really love her, don't you?" Sakura whispered.
"It's that obvious, huh?" Itsuki looked up and smiled at her weakly, and for the first time, Sakura saw him as a mature man in his twenties-one who felt deeply and was trying to make sense of it-not the loud, silly boy she thought she knew in class.
"I'd do anything for Sayuri to be herself again… Even punch Masuyo square in the face, but it's hard to find him. I never know exactly where he is or when he'll be in town again."
"He doesn't live here?"
"No. He only shows up to see her for a short time, she gets weird, and then he disappears. Why do you think he sends his henchmen to scout? All of this shit started when that guy came to class for the first time and found her. She hasn't been the same since."
Kakashi re-read the scroll he had prepared for Sai's arrival.
"Report from Takumi. Perpetrator may be a high level sound shinobi. Dark green hair. May possess unknown sound genjutsu. Able to erect low-emitting chakra barrier. Cannot infiltrate. Send shinobi from barrier division. Investigate Otokagure and gather intelligence from Tenzou and Orochimaru. Send for Sasuke."
As much as Kakashi inwardly dreaded Sasuke's return, he understood that it was likely necessary. Part of the reason that Naruto had reinstated them was due to the shortage of jonin in the post-war peace era. Many had died during the war, established jonin were retiring, and the youth didn't feel the same pull to become a shinobi. As such, Kakashi knew that Naruto did not have shinobi to spare, especially given the involvement of three neo-legendary jonin in a long-term infiltration mission.
With that conclusion, he rolled up the scroll and left it on the table, thinking again of the circumstances surrounding his illicit affair with Sasuke's wife.
And as if on cue, Sakura unlocked and walked into the door looking incredibly exhausted, her shoulders hanging and mouth drooping into a frown.
"Kaka-shiiiii," she whined, depositing her bag and canvas by the door and immediately sulking in his direction.
He watched her with amusement as she pouted and reached for his hand, pulling him off of the chair and lifting his arm to embrace her. He took the hint and slid his arms around her waist, kissing her forehead through his mask, and nuzzling his nose into her hair as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Hey," he greeted softly after the physical exchange was over.
She made no move to let him go, nor any indication that she wanted him to release her. They continued standing, holding each other as Sakura pressed her cheek against his chest.
"I've had a really emotionally draining day…" Sakura's hands moved from his neck down to his arms, grasping him tightly as they took a moment of silence. "Did you finish the scroll?"
"Yeah," he responded into her hair, rubbing her waist with his hands to comfort her. "And I hate to add to your burden right now, but I think we have to rethink some of our strategies."
Sakura looked up and pouted again, her lip poking forward. Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle. She released his arms and the pulled away from him, walking toward the dresser to change out of her clothes for the day.
As she dug through the dresser, she asked, "What are you thinking?"
"Well," Kakashi sighed, moving to the bed to lay down on his back, "I think it's time to call Sasuke back... and it's really time to ask Sai to stay."
She was quiet as she pulled off her shirt and replaced it with one of her pajama shirts.
"Without the animals, we have to rethink rotations. We are either working or in class, and then we have rotations. It isn't sustainable for just the two of us to do this without affecting the quality of our mission roles," he said. "We need to rest too."
Kakashi reached for a pillow and fluffed it before placing it behind his back. He was leaning back on the headboard with his arm behind his head, and his legs crossed over the mattress.
"So you're thinking that Sai can take the night shift while we are here resting," she suggested.
Kakashi nodded, and he watched Sakura walk towards him as she tied her hair into a messy ponytail. She climbed onto the bed and he felt the mattress give to her weight.
"And speaking of sustainable schedules," she added, pulling herself onto his right arm and nuzzling into his shoulder. She draped a leg over his. "Maybe you should drop your poetry class. The idea originally came up as a cover when I was scouting, but I think it might be a good idea. It would allow you to focus on just two things instead of three."
"Hmm…" Kakashi hummed, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer. "I think you mean three instead of four."
"And what's the third?" she asked, tilting her chin to look up at him.
"I wonder…" he said softly. He reached up to lower his mask before taking her chin in his hand and kissing her briefly. And when he broke away, he continued. "If you think that's best… and it probably is. The poetry class hasn't resulted in much information."
"It hasn't," she said decidedly, and then she suddenly sat up beside him. "And Kakashi, something is happening here and we have to help these people!"
Her eyebrows furrowed in front of him and her first balled into her lap.
Kakashi chuckled in response to her impassioned demeanor.
"What's so amusing, huh?"
"There she is…" he laughed softly. Sakura tilted her head in curiosity, pouting playfully as if she were angry.
"The furiously passionate Sakura is back."
He could tell that Sakura tried to rein in a smile as she picked up a pillow to toss it at his face.
"Hey!" he said jokingly, putting hands up to signal surrender, "Relax. Even pillows are dangerous from your hands."
Sakura simply huffed in response. Kakashi smiled and softly coaxed her to return to his arms.
"Come here."
Sakura wiggled on the mattress to her original position, and then she whispered, "Kakashi, something bad is going to happen to Sayuri… we have to save her."
Kakashi pulled her in tighter and left her a flurry of butterfly kisses on her forehead. "We will," he said.
Hearing the sad helplessness in her voice, knowing that something upsetting happened during the day, made Kakashi feel as though he should comfort her somehow. Loosening his grip on her body, he shifted his weight so that he could sit upright and behind her. Putting pressure on her back with his palm, he urged her to sit up straight. Afterwards, his fingers trailed up her spine before resting on her shoulders.
When he pressed on her skin, he felt her tense for a moment and then relax under his touch. He began to knead, massaging her powerfully with his palm and thumb.
"You're good at this," she cooed quietly, her eyes closing and head rolling back in his direction.
"Mmm," he affirmed. "I didn't observe the Hyuuga target chakra pressure points for nothing… not that I can pull of their sealing fist."
In all actuality, he didn't really observe the Hyuuga as their specialty could only be used with the byakugan. He'd simply said it to be clever in some way, but Sakura seemed to see right past it.
"Ah, so you had not only the specialization of the sharingan, but now that byakugan too?"
"You got me," he chuckled, rolling his palm on her shoulders. "I thought I might impress you."
"You're trying to bamboozle the wrong girl, Kakashi," she smirked as she loosened within his hands.
"Who said anything about bamboozling? I'm just a foolish man trying unsuccessfully to woo a woman," replied Kakashi as his fingered pressed a hard trail all the way down her spine. No matter where his fingers landed, she felt so soft...
"Mmmm…" she almost moaned.
Uh-oh, he thought. He thought he'd smelt Sakura's excitement, and that sound almost confirmed it for him.
"I don't know about unsuccessful…" she breathed. "but I think it's my turn to woo you. Lay down."
Even though she loved the feeling of Kakashi's fingers on her body, Sakura moved forward to signal for him to stop.
Kakashi obeyed and moved to lay flat on his stomach, crossing his arms above his head to nestle in the gap between them, but that wouldn't do.
"Ah!" she called out sternly. "Take off your shirt."
He moved his head to peek at her though a side-glance. She could tell he was smirking under his arm. He then lifted himself momentarily as he lifted his arm, reached for a bundle of cloth at the nape of his neck and pulled upwards.
Sakura watched every rippled muscle in motion, every movement of his defined back, resulting in her favorite messy hair.
Once he was back in position, Sakura swung a leg over his butt and straddled him. With his arms stretched above him, she could see the tightly pulled muscles, and even though he was covered in scratches and scars, he was beautiful.
His body was just so enticing and she couldn't help herself. She wanted to touch him. Would this sight ever get old?
Sakura's hands had first rested at the base of his spine before she slowly began to slide them up. As she went, her fingertips delicately grazed over the raised scarring.
She thought of every story that could be possibly associated with these scars… and again, Sakura was taken away by her awe of the man beneath her. Sakura used to idolize this man… he had been so strong, so far above her, and so untouchable, yet here he was, years later, conceding to her fingertips.
She smiled softly, forgetting her task. Instead, she began to trace everything on his back, and as she did so, she thought about all of the times that this back had guarded her, protected her from harm. She thought of the war, his fight with Obito, wondered what other bodily traumas Kakashi must have endured to earn a back like this one.
Finally, Sakura slid her palms all the way up to grasp onto his trapezius muscles. As her fingers glided on his skin, she heard his muffled groan in his arms.
Pleased with herself, she began to mimic the hand movements Kakashi did on her.
"Careful," he joked from the cavity of his arms. "Don't use any chakra on me. You might just break me in half."
"Ha! Very funny," she snickered sarcastically. "But I'm going to use as much chakra as I want on you and I'm going to make you like it."
Before he could answer, Sakura decided to actually channel some chakra into her fingers, sending jolts into his muscles to relax him further as she pressed into him.
"Sak-oooh…" he groaned, unable to finish his thought. Surely, she guessed, he was going to comment on her chakra usage, but he couldn't stress under her touch, even if he tried.
That was the magic of her medical skills if she chose to use it in this way.
"Don't worry," she whispered, calming him. "It's hardly enough chakra to alert anyone. Less than I use to summon Katsuyu…"
And then he was silent as she worked. Her hands glided back up toward his neck, and she began to think of the likeness of her paintings to the real thing. Nothing, she concluded, could live up to the marvel of the body beneath her. She felt her cheeks grow warm from her irresistible attraction to him and the breathy groans that she elicited from her movements.
She wanted more… and suddenly, her mind switched into auto-pilot.
"Sit up for me," she asked quietly, moving off of his body to kneel beside him.
Kakashi did so without question, but raised an eyebrow in her direction. She wondered if he could smell her. She knew that touching him made her wet, and she had felt it gliding between her when she moved… and before she knew it, her hands were back on his traps, kneading twice before one hand creeped further forward, sliding over his collarbone, down past his pecks, trickling over every mound of his abdominal muscles until…
"Sakura-chan," Kakashi rasped quietly, grasping onto her wrist. For a moment, Sakura felt herself flinch, and his call brought her mind back to Sasuke… She gasped and froze in his hand as if she were in a self-protective shock.
"You want more already?" he asked slyly, instantly allowing her to relax. She felt him pull her onto her knees and forward so that her head was just beside his over his shoulder. He began to kiss her on the temple and felt him smiling against her skin.
Kakashi isn't like Sasuke… she thought to herself, dismissing any negative thought about this interaction. He wouldn't do that to me…
Sakura felt her cheeks flush in both embarrassment and affection, but she didn't answer him.
Kakashi continued to kiss her on her cheek and massage the wrist in his hand. "Why don't we take it slow today…" he urged softly. "As much as I love knowing that you want me, I want to do something else."
He kissed her on her lips once. She took the hint.
"And I don't think I've massaged you enough."
Sakura looked at him with puppy eyes and a pout, wondering if he was really going to leave her hanging.
Kakashi laughed at her expression and moved his head back to speak into her ear teasingly: "Not that kind of massage.. At least not tonight. The wait will be worth it, I promise…"
And with that heated promise, Sakura felt her breath hitch and her face grow even warmer.
"Now lay down," he ordered, and Sakura commanded, assuming the same position he had been in. She wondered how Kakashi could control himself, yet, then again, neither of them were rabid teenagers any longer… right?
As he rubbed on her back, he said, "The point of this was to make you feel relaxed, not me. Tell me about your day… why was it emotionally draining?"
Sakura smiled into her arms. He remembered, even though his hands and body had already allowed her to forget it. In this moment, in addition to his perfect body, his searing lips, and his magical hands, Sakura thought that she might really love this man.
This wasn't the butterfly kind of love that she had been feeling-those butterflies had gone and been replaced with a new kind of love. A contentedness. A comfortable intimacy that produced subtle warmth in her chest. A feeling of home.
Butterflies could never last forever… but this feeling could.
This was the kind of attention, care, and affection she had always dreamed of… and the man of her dreams had been beside her all along.
A/N: Dooo doo dooo… I didn't proof this… I may regret something tomorrow… and now a closing poem for you, because it's relevant to my worklife, current politics, and now this story.
"Harlem" by Langston Hughes
"What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore-
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
Like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
Like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?"
Until next time!
