Warning bells thundered in Kakashi's mind; a million reasons to stop Sakura rose to the tip of his tongue, but none of them escaped his lips. Sakura gazed up with a question in her expression, but Kakashi couldn't bring himself to deny it. She moved with easy familiarity, undoing the snaps on the side of Kakashi's vest then loosening the strap so the armor would fall away. He knew that he should push her away, or continue telling her that he didn't need to be healed, but how much longer was he supposed to resist her, especially when she looked the way she did?
When Kakashi had seen Naruto near the pub, he'd had no clue that the girl beside him would be Sakura. Everything from the heels to the hairstyle were different from what he expected. He'd been so distracted that even the mention of Sasuke hadn't tipped him off. When Sakura had turned, Kakashi's heart leaped high enough into his throat to choke off a response. Before he'd fully processed the scene, Naruto dragged them into a group hug, one that Kakashi had tried to extract himself from as quickly as possible before his body could give him away.
Then, Kakashi found himself on the dance floor despite every objection that he could raise. Sakura had been near enough to grasp, warm and alive beneath his fingers when she pressed against him, and Kakashi had almost given himself away a second time. Now, she stood so close that he found it hard to breathe. Twice-damned fool, Kakashi cursed silently. He should have refused Sakura's offer of healing instead of asking for it, he should have ignored the whole damn party and stayed home, he should have never taken an genin team, or—
"Hokage-sama?" Kakashi lost his train of thought at the soft, intimate tone that Sakura curled around his title. Fuck, he should have refused that too.
Kakashi could smell the sweet scent of perfume that Sakura had worn, foreign and intoxicating. Her hand hovered over his shoulder, the soft glow of healing that he hated so much making her eyes a thousand times brighter than they should be. Kakashi strangled on the words in his throat. "Please don't call me that."
"Why not," Sakura asked, voice soft and uncertain. Her fingers slid away from Kakashi's shoulder, moving toward his chest, and his entire body hummed in response. Sakura's hand curled in the soft fabric that she'd revealed under his armor, then her eyes flicked up to Kakashi's face. A blush of pink showed through the make-up as she waited for an answer.
Kakashi drew a ragged breath, ignoring the constricting bands that squeezed his lungs. "Because I'm going to do something we'll both regret."
Indecision flickered across Sakura's expression, then her hand tightened. Kakashi could have resisted the pressure, maybe he should have, but he allowed Sakura to guide his face closer to hers. "Like what?"
"Like, I'm going to kiss you," Kakashi whispered, unbelieving that he'd allowed the thought to leave his mouth.
Tentative fingers curved into the top of Kakashi's mask, teasing the skin beneath. Sakura had enough time to tell him no, to push him away, or to recoil in revulsion. But, she stayed. Kakashi's stomach clenched around the idea of kissing her after imagining it for so long. What if she didn't move because the words shocked her?
Raising one hand, Kakashi brushed his thumb across Sakura's cheek and felt the heat radiating off her skin. She sighed, tipping her face into the touch. He tangled his fingers with Sakura's, and together they pulled the mask away from his mouth. Kakashi wasn't sure which of their hands shook more as the cloth fell away.
Despite feeling the mask move, Sakura's eyes remained shut. Despite having spent years trying to look at his face, she resisted the urge. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder why as he leaned in close enough to taste Sakura's breath on his lips. He expected her to pull away, but her hand tightened against his shirt. Still, Sakura didn't move; Kakashi closed the distance to press his lips against hers.
Anticipation coursed through Sakura's veins like fire when she touched Kakashi's mask. What if he hadn't moved away because he was trying to think of a nice way to turn her down? He wouldn't want things to be awkward between them, obviously. They would still need to work together in the future, but Sakura wasn't sure that she'd ever be able to look Kakashi in the eye again after this. Why did I listen to Ino? This is the stupidest thing I've ever done. It's going to ruin everything.
A finger caressed Sakura's cheek. She leaned into the unexpected touch and closed her eyes. Warmth encircled her hand, and it took her a moment to realize that Kakashi's covered hers. She expected him to pull her hand away with some quip about keeping secrets, but he hooked his fingers between hers to pull the mask lower. Heat surged in Sakura's face as the fabric fell away. It would be so easy to open my eyes and see the face that he's been hiding for so long, she thought. Her hand trembled at the realization, but she kept her eyes shut, terrified that it might break the spell.
Sakura had no doubt that Kakashi was handsome underneath the mask. She had imagined it numerous times, but now that it came down to it, the man would be a stranger without the familiar barrier of fabric. Sakura was terrified that he'd look different than she expected, and she wanted the memory of this night to be the Kakashi that she recognized. Regardless of what his face looked like, Sakura knew that she wanted him. But, the idea of kissing a stranger—
Thought flickered beyond Sakura's capabilities when soft lips brushed over hers. The hand still tangled in Kakashi's mask slid free to join the one on his chest. Something warm and fluttery exploded behind her ribs as her knees threatened to give way. The kiss could have lasted two seconds or two hours for all that Sakura knew. Eventually, the pressure of his mouth lessened and her lungs sucked in a breath without bothering to ask her permission. Sakura felt the warmth of Kakashi's next exhale against her cheek and shivered. He dipped his chin away from hers, pressing their foreheads together. A soft expletive left his lips. "Shit, I'm sorry."
"I, uh," Sakura struggled to make her vocal cords respond to her commands as she looked up. Kakashi's expression was impossible to read, mostly because Sakura had never seen so much of it at once. She tried to focus on the familiar grey eyes, but the intensity in them left her breathless. Her gaze drifted to the flushed cheeks and kiss damp lips inches from hers. Before Sakura could stop them, her thoughts tumbled out. "You're gorgeous."
Kakashi chuckled and pulled back, putting additional distance between himself and Sakura. The blush grew closer to crimson at her confession. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes, but Sakura saw the sheepish smile curving the corners of his lips. She knew that she would do anything to capture that expression again. She stammered over her words. "I mean—what I was going to say was—"
"Do you want me to put it back on?" Kakashi teased, his voice playful though she recognized the tension and embarrassment in his stance. He was much easier to read with his entire face visible.
"No," Sakura assured Kakashi without a second thought. Gathering her courage, she trailed her fingers across the normally hidden skin. Kakashi made a faint sound in the back of his throat when she lingered by the beauty mark below his lip. "It's just different."
Kakashi toyed with the pink curls that hung by Sakura's cheek. "And, this isn't?"
"It was Ino's idea," Sakura repeated her earlier excuse. She pushed the strand behind her ear, still put off by the different feel of the waves in her hair.
"It's a good idea. I couldn't take my eyes off of you." The deeper timbre of Kakashi's voice made Sakura's heart skip a beat. It wasn't fair for someone to look as stunning as he did and to have a voice that made her want to do anything he asked. Sakura couldn't remember how to flirt; she barely remembered how to speak. Kakashi's smile faltered. "Am I making you uncomfortable? It isn't too late to go to the hospital, if you'd rather."
The hospital? Why would we go-oh yeah, the injured shoulder, the whole reason I'm here in the first place. Being in Kakashi's apartment with the taste of his lips lingering on hers felt like a fantasy that Sakura would have dreamed up. So much so that she almost forgot it was reality. It took her mind a few seconds to catch up. Sakura slid a hand over the swell of muscle in Kakashi's shoulder, kneading and pressing around the joint. He winced when she found a sore spot, but Sakura suspected that it came more from desk work rather than their contrived tumble in the bar.
"My shoulder is fine," Kakashi mumbled as the healing glow enveloped Sakura's hand a second time. She ignored him and pressed her palm against his arm.
A dozen small things vied for Sakura's attention as her chakra swept through Kakashi's body. His heart rate was still higher than it had any right to be. An old cut on the back of his leg ached, and there was the slightest suggestion of bruising on his shoulder. She encouraged his body to heal the two problems she could help, then pulled back. They had both known that she wouldn't find anything seriously wrong, so why were they here? "There will be some bruising, but otherwise, you were right. Your shoulder is fine."
Kakashi flashed a devastatingly beautiful smile, but there was a touch of sadness in his expression. "Thank you for always taking care of me," he murmured, reaching for the fabric hanging over his chest. "Your duty is done; you can go back to the party with a clear conscience."
The realization that Kakashi was ending things sent a spike of panic through Sakura. She caught Kakashi's hand, and he raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to go back to the party. I want you to kiss me again." The forwardness in the whispered words made Sakura's cheeks flame hot enough to set the air around her on fire. "I've wanted you to kiss me for months and months, and now that you have, I don't know what to say or do. You're so damn good looking that it actually hurts, and-"
Kakashi swallowed the words in a kiss, pressing into Sakura until her shoulders bumped against his front door. With his armor gone, Sakura could feel the muscles that she'd fantasized about but never been able to touch the way that she could now. Her fingers traveled across the back of Kakashi's shoulders, feeling the movement as he caressed her lower back. One hand slipped lower, and Sakura's hips jumped forward. A moan tangled between their lips, and Sakura wasn't sure who it had come from.
"You're beautiful," Kakashi husked when they broke apart, panting for air. "I never thought you could feel the same way."
Before Sakura could respond, Kakashi nipped at her shoulder. The thrill of pain from his teeth contrasted with the undeniable pleasure of his mouth, blending into something dark and exciting that Sakura had never experienced. The hands on Sakura's ass tightened, lifting her closer to Kakashi's height. She didn't question it, wrapping her legs around his waist. Her dress rode up to a dangerous level, but she'd abandoned decency as soon as she stepped into Kakashi's apartment.
Kakashi ran his hand down the side of Sakura's face, then trailed the tips of his fingers along the inner slopes of her breasts, exposed by the dress's movement. She exhaled as light kisses followed the same path. Her hands tangled in his silver tresses, surprised at how soft they felt, then she forgot everything but the contrast of warm lips and cool air. Sakura lasted as long as she could, then she pulled Kakashi's head backward to meld their lips together again. Her tongue darted forward to brush against his, and she relished in the way his body shuddered beneath her.
Reaching down, Sakura grabbed a fistful of Kakashi's shirt to loosen it from where it was tucked into his pants. The fabric rose by increments, but the movement made her intentions clear. Kakashi pressed his hips forward, pinning Sakura against the wall to pull the garment over his head. She drank in the beauty of Kakashi's body. Finally free to touch the way that she wanted to, Sakura ran her fingers along Kakashi's chest muscles. They lacked the sharp definition that she remembered from the war, softened by his time as Hokage. It differentiated the man who'd trained her from the one she'd fallen for, making him more appealing. Her nails raked possessively across the expanse, and Kakashi hissed at the red streaks she left on his skin.
"Too much?" Sakura softened her touch to a caress, and Kakashi shook his head, eyelids fluttering shut at the change. Sakura let her fingers wander across his scars, following a toughened ridge of lighter skin along Kakashi's ribs. A similar mark ran over his neck and dipped under his collar bone. Sakura traced a pale, x-shaped scar that crossed the man's entire chest.
"I had a good healer for that one," Kakashi opened his eyes and chuckled. He smoothed one hand down Sakura's thigh. "The very best, actually."
Sakura flushed at the unexpected praise. The heat in Kakashi's gaze felt like it would burn her to ash if she let it. Had he always looked at her that way? Did the loss of the mask make it more obvious? Or was the expression new? Kakashi drew back from Sakura, easing the pressure on her hips. Reluctantly, she loosened her legs from around his waist and lowered her feet to the ground. Her knees almost collapsed again, but Kakashi steadied her with an arm around her waist. "This is a good different," Sakura admitted, referring to his face without the mask.
"So is this." Kakashi twisted one of Sakura's curls around his finger. Then, he tipped Sakura's face up so that he could kiss it more thoroughly. She could lose herself in Kakashi and never care if she came back up for air. He laughed, lips close enough for her to taste the amusement. "This is a pretty good change too."
Watching Kakashi, Sakura reached back to find the pins that Ino had used to secure her hair in place. He stared in confusion as she began to pluck them loose. With the fifth, pale tresses cascaded between them. Sakura tossed the ornaments toward her shoes. Kakashi made a questioning sound in the back of his throat, and Sakura grinned. "You were just going to mess it up anyway."
"Oh?" Kakashi breathed, brushing through the hair with surprising gentleness. He pushed it aside to plant soft kisses on the side of Sakura's neck, then his teeth grazed her earlobe. "How was I going to do that?"
"Several different ways if I have any luck," Sakura teased, trying not to blush at her own words. The low growl in Kakashi's throat told her that he appreciated the implication, even if he'd missed all of the ones earlier in the evening. Sakura glanced around, took a deep breath, then forced out the question that had been on her mind since she entered the apartment. "We should probably move out of the doorway, though. Where's your bedroom?"
The air left Kakashi's lungs in a surprised grunt, as if Sakura had punched him. The question left no doubt about Sakura's intention, though she was fairly certain her actions had spoken for themselves. Kakashi looked at her with a mix of fear and desire that she couldn't understand. They both wanted this; it was as simple as following through. Kakashi whispered her name, but Sakura shook her head. "Your bedroom?
Kakashi exhaled and reached for Sakura's hand, guiding her through the dim space. When he reached one of the doors in the hallway, he pushed it open and turned on the light. "Sorry for the mess," he murmured, indicating the room. "I wasn't exactly expecting company."
Sakura barely noticed the rumpled sheets or disarray that scattered the room; she only saw Kakashi: every gorgeous, muscular, perfect inch of him. She tugged him toward her and meshed their lips together, pouring every ounce of desire into the touch. Kakashi met Sakura with a hunger that took her breath. His hand slid down her back, pausing to grasp her ass. Her dress had ridden up far enough that the tip of his fingers brushed the skin at the back of her thighs. Sakura gasped in surprise.
Kakash exhaled hard against Sakura's shoulder, body twitching with unspent lust. "Do you want me to stop?"
"I want you to stop asking," Sakura growled under her breath. "I am perfectly capable of getting my point across if I don't like what you're doing. I want you to touch me, Kakashi. I want to feel your hands on me. Is that clear enough?"
A strangled groan left Kakashi's throat when Sakura accented her demand by teasing her hands down his stomach to reach for his pants. The man shuddered under her touch, head falling back with a moan. Kneeling, Sakura unhooked the button and lowered the zipper. She focused on the soft sounds of pleasure that Kakashi made with every movement rather than the nervousness bursting inside her.
Sakura walked her fingers along Kakashi's inner thigh and stopped at the weapon pouch wrapped around his leg. She loosened the bindings and tossed the pouch aside. It clattered near Kakashi's dresser, weapons clanking. It occurred to Sakura that there might have been something dangerous inside, but when the apartment didn't splinter around them, she figured they were safe enough. She grinned up at Kakashi. "Planning to get jumped at the party?"
"Isn't that exactly what happened?" The man laughed, a surprisingly tense sound when paired with his teasing words.
Sakura hooked her fingers inside the band of Kakashi's pants, producing a gasp that only made her want to continue. She noticed the bulge forming against the fabric. Tugging, Sakura worked the pants lower on Kakashi's hips. She had seen him in all manner of situations, good and bad, but never like this. She'd never felt this level of power over anyone before. The faint growl that left Kakahi's throat when her wrist brushed his growing erection was as new as it was intoxicating. She needed to hear the sound again, whatever it took.
Kakashi kicked off his pants with Sakura's help, desire showing more clearly with every passing second. He pulled Sakura back to her feet and met her with one of those time altering kisses that left her confused about which way was up. Sakura couldn't stop the moan that ached through her entire body. She needed Kakashi's hands on her, needed to see and feel every inch of him. Gathering her hair away from her neck, Sakura turned. "Will you help me?"
Deft fingers unhooked the clasp on Sakura's dress and lowered the zipper. Kakashi kissed down the path of newly revealed skin, setting it afire. When his lips brushed the small of her back, Sakura stepped out of Kakashi's reach. Confusion and hurt filled the man's eyes when she turned to face him. Sakura nodded toward the bed. "Sit."
There's no going back now, Sakura thought. Already, she could feel the precarious movement of the outfit. Sakura brought her hand to one of the thin straps and pulled her arm free, then repeated the action on the other side. Kakashi followed every movement with hungry eyes; Sakura wasn't sure that he'd drawn a breath since she started. Then, she opened her arms and let the dress slither down her body. Sakura stepped out of the puddle of fabric, painfully aware that only a thong guarded her decency.
While Sakura had seen Kakashi in various states of undress for medical reasons, he hadn't been afforded the same familiarity. His gaze roved over her body from head to toe, unsure where to settle. Sakura moved toward the bed, allowing Kakashi to explore with his hand as well. He brushed over the smooth planes of her stomach, pausing to curve around her breasts. Kakakshi's thumb found a nipple, circling the cold-hardened nub, while his mouth surrounded the other. His tongue circled and flicked against the skin until Sakura moaned his name.
Sakura rested one knee on the side of Kakashi's hips, then the other. She settled in his lap, arching to give him better access to her body. Beneath her, Sakura felt the strain of Kakashi's cock against his boxers. Why hadn't she taken them off with his pants? She silently cursed the barrier as his hands settled on her ass a second time. Sakura rocked her hips against Kakashi's; the friction was already overwhelming.
Kakashi pulled back, Sakura's nipple sliding from between his lips with a wet pop. He caught her hips, slowing, then stopping the urgent movement. "It's been a long time," he gasped, cheeks darkening on the words. "I don't know how long I can last."
"Then, we should hurry," Sakura breathed, pushing Kakashi backward onto his bed. She kissed her way down his neck and chest with exaggerated slowness. Kakashi gasped when she brushed over the soft silver hair just below his belly button. Sakura pushed his boxers down, one hand drawing him out as she did so. Kakashi threw his head back with a hiss when Sakura ran her tongue across the head. She could already taste his excitement.
Sakura's tongue laved over the slit and Kakashi's hips pressed up in response. She obliged, closing her mouth around him. Kakashi's breath stuttered in his throat, and he twisted at the sensation. Sakura tightened one hand against the base of his cock and began to slide her mouth along his length. If she forgot everything else about this night, Sakura would always remember the way that Kakashi's hand tightened against his sheets, his lower lip caught between his teeth, and his body strained toward her. Kami, he was gorgeous.
A few minutes later, Sakura felt the tell-tale twitch of Kakashi's body. He gasped her name and tangled his fingers in her hair. Sakura pulsed chakra into Kakashi's body, not unlike breaking a genjutsu. Kakashi whimpered as Sakura pulled back, a shudder rippling through him. "What did you do," he groaned, muscles tensing and relaxing in a steady rhythm.
"I stopped you." Sakura grinned and ran her tongue over her lips, savoring the moment. She moved back up to straddle Kakashi, knees on either side of his legs. She covered her blush by planting light kisses along his jaw. "The next one will be stronger, though," she cautioned.
"Afraid I wouldn't be good enough?" Kakashi teased as the twitching of his body slowed. He smoothed a hand down her side and hip, curling against the skin. She exhaled when his finger worked beneath the side of her underwear; chill bumps rushed along her skin in response.
Sakura shook her head. "No, I've always known that you'd be amazing. But, I've wanted to feel you inside of me for too long to stop where we were."
Kakashi crushed their mouths together in response. Sakura ached for him; every brush of his hand sent a jolt of pleasure through her body. He twisted his fingers to slide between them, pushing the damp fabric of her thong to the side. Unaware of the movement, Sakura shifted her hips toward the touch, inviting his fingers lower. Kakashi chuckled, and her cheeks grew red. "It's been a long time for me too."
"Let me fix that," Kakashi whispered. Before Sakura could respond, he wrapped his arms around her back and reversed their positions. The weight of Kakashi's body felt right on hers, and he kissed down her neck. She lifted her hips enough for him to remove the final piece of fabric between them, gasping at the soft kisses he planted along the inside of her thigh.
Sakura's body was already over sensitive with desire. She twitched at every kiss and touch, moaning when his mouth replaced the tease of fingers. He circled her clit with his tongue, sucking just enough to make the pleasure spike through her chest. She bit her lip to keep from crying out as his mouth continued its exploration. A finger slipped inside of her, moving in and out with intention. The dual sensations were too much. Sakura dropped into oblivion before she saw the edge looming. Her thighs squeezed against Kakashi's head, the world shattering around her.
"Fuck," Sakura cursed, her body pulsing as her muscles went lax. Kakashi crawled back up to kiss her, tender rather than urgent.
The man had the audacity to grin. "Sorry, I didn't know any fancy chakra tricks to stop you."
Sakura poked Kakashi's shoulder, gazing up at him in wonder. He smiled, perhaps the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen, then leaned in to kiss her again. She tasted herself and Kakashi's desire as one, temporarily forgetting everything else. It took only a moment for his longing for more to make itself known against the side of her leg. Sakura blushed and pulled back. "Do you have—," Sakura trailed off, face burning.
Kakashi frowned, then caught up with the question. "Do I have protection? Is that what you're asking?"
The man nodded toward the nightstand and pushed himself higher on the bed. Sakura followed Kakashi, feeling embarrassed and uncertain why. She tried not to wonder how often this happened to him as he fished around in the drawer. Sakura certainly didn't sleep around with enough people to keep condoms beside her bed. Kakashi pulled one out, fumbling with the packet. She watched him, suddenly feeling terribly self conscious and wondering if she'd ever live up to his past.
Kakashi glanced over at Sakura, then paused to really look at her. He touched her shoulder, fingers sliding down her chest. "These have been here for an embarrassingly long time. When I said it had been a while, I meant it. It's been years even."
Sakura glanced up, watched the sincerity play across Kakashi's face, then nodded. She held out her hand. "Give me that." She checked the date on the back, resisting the urge to laugh at how close to expiration it was. Sakura opened the foiled square and pulled out the condom. Her fist closed around Kakashi's cock, stoking several times before she slid the thin barrier over it. Just touching him like this took her breath away; she wanted to feel him inside of her.
Throwing her leg across Kakashi's lap, Sakura rocked her hips against his. The man settled his hands on her thighs as his cock rubbed the already sensitive space between her legs. Kakashi dug his fingers into her flesh with each movement, discomfort obvious with every tremble. "Please," he begged. "I can't keep this up very long."
Unable to deny their mutual desire, Sakura shifted her hips higher and took the tip of Kakashi's cock between her lower lips. For several heartbeats she didn't move. She paused there, completely captivated by Kakashi with his sex-flushed cheeks and kiss bruised lips. His body twitched, seeking the warmth of release. Sakura rolled her hips, letting him deep inside of her. The stretch bordered on pain and her hands found purchase on his chest, fingernails curling against the skin as their movements synced.
The sensation swept over Sakura, condensing the world to the two of them. Kakashi wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close enough to kiss. He raised his hips with every thrust, pulling Sakura forward with him. She went willingly. The movement sent new pleasure splintering through her body.
Sakura couldn't have stopped herself if she wanted to. Her muscles clenched tight around Kakashi as the world blacked at the edges. His name tangled in her throat, caught between moans of pleasure. He held her hips in a bruising grip, body bucking beneath her. Heat filled her as Kakashi went rigid. Then, his eyes fluttered shut and his body sagged in the afterglow of what they'd just done.
Supporting herself on shaky arms, Sakura pressed delicate kisses along Kakashi's neck and jawline. Her body relaxed until it felt like too much work to sit up. Sakura dropped her head to rest on Kakashi's chest, surprised when arms wrapped around her and held her there. The steady drumming beneath her ear made her laugh. "Your heart is still pounding."
"How could it not," Kakashi asked, sleepy amusement obvious in his voice. Sakura rested her chin on his chest, looking up at the sweat-dampened hair that clung to his forehead. Reality crashed back in when his lips curled into a lazy smile. She hadn't thought it was possible for him to look more beautiful than he had when he first took the mask off. But, he did. Sakura ducked her head, feeling out of sorts at the ability to see his face.
Kakashi half rose on his elbows, no easy feat with Sakura splayed across him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Sakura blurted out, pushing away from Kakashi to disentangle their limbs. The sudden emptiness left her disoriented, and she started toward the edge of the bed, wondering where the bathroom was. Maybe he'd be dressed when she came back and she wouldn't have to see how achingly perfect he was.
Kakashi caught Sakura's wrist and pulled her back into bed. Concern was etched on every inch of his face. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"
"I-," Sakura began, blushing from her chest to her forehead. She couldn't even look at him the way he was. "Could you put your mask back on?"
Kakashi's mouth fell open, then he burst out laughing. "I can't kiss you with my mask on, and I would very much like to do so."
Sakura sighed and met Kakashi in a languid kiss. She supposed compromises would have to be made.