She didn't really know what had come over her.
One moment, she was staring at her own haggard expression in the mirror; unable to formulate a sentence because the shock had her squeezed so tight in its vice grip that even breathing was hard. She knew she must have looked rough, by the way Himari had blocked every mirror and everyone's expression on their faces when they first regarded her; but the moment that she caught full sight of herself, it knocked the breath out of her lungs. She looked as though she'd been run over. She would have been the poster child for news articles; the images of the damage she took shared all over the internet as a lesson to others to stay safe. The way she appeared on top of her raspy voice; she'd never felt more undesirable in her entire life than she did staring at herself.
That was, until he walked in.
The spell had been broken the minute he walked in; he has a presence that, despite his feckless demeanor, commands attention. When she noticed him, she immediately wanted to hide her face away from him, even though he'd already been witness to the atrocity himself. She felt ashamed of herself, wishing she could just evaporate on the spot. The closer he neared, the best she did to keep her eyes on the mirror—maybe if she stayed that way, they'd all leave her alone to brood in peace.
That was not the case.
Ino and Hinata left; it was just her and Kakashi. Even with him standing just a foot or so behind her, she could feel the tension in the air. Her skin jumped when he ran his palms over her arms, and when he traced the side of her face to kiss her temple; it was an action so pure and intimate that it shook her to her core. She didn't know why she told him to come back when he pulled away, but she did. He made her feel good, and she was feeling so achingly awful, so hopeless that she wanted nothing more in that moment than to be comforted; she obviously couldn't do it for herself. Granted Ino and Hinata did their best, and she appreciated the kind words they spoke to her; it was just that his presence held more weight than anyone she'd ever come across.
When Kiba told her a little about Kakashi's past, everything became just a little clearer to her. He had been just as hurt as she had been; used and tossed away like she had been. Suddenly all the words he spoke didn't seem so suspicious to her, rather they all seemed to click in a manner she had made a point to avoid before. She couldn't say that in the instant, she'd toss all hesitation to the wind and dive down freely into the rabbit hole that was Kakashi; but accepting him for the man he is and trusting him was a start. She felt a little more better being open to him, hoping he wouldn't judge her for it. He was sure and sturdy; in that moment, she only wanted to lean on him.
So, it only made sense that his touch managed to do things to her.
He made her feel desirable, like her face wasn't horribly marred. His hold around her was so careful that the moment his arms circled hers, she melted. She craved him, then. She wanted to be touched; she wanted to feel for herself just how he regarded her, and he outdid himself. His words were like a soft blanket, soothing her frayed nerves. The soft way his lips trailed along her skin were so light, so gentle—she'd never been touched that way by a man before. Each kiss, touch, word—carefully articulated to cater to her vulnerable state. She began to forget how awful she looked, how bad her body hurt, and how scared she was. All she felt was genuine, tender love and care. Her inside began to spark, her skin grew really hot, and she craved more. More comfort, more touch, more assurance, and more Kakashi. Her mind became overran with him; he surrounded her, filled all of her senses and she liked it. The sight in the mirror was so raw, so intimate that she didn't recognize herself as the woman being doted on. The way his brows were quirked together in prudent focus, as if she was the only person in the world. The feel of his large hands somehow managing to hold her both with assurance and caution; his soft mouth tending to each and every bruise, lingering so sweetly in attempts to replace the pain. The sound of his deep throaty hums, warm breath sending goosebumps across every inch of her skin made her tingle and shudder. Being so close to him, she could smell his masculine scent; bergamot spice, oakmoss, and a tinge of sweet—reminding her of darker berries. It was intoxicating, and she found herself breathing in her nose heavier than usual. The taste of his mouth on hers, like sweet peppermint that drew her in even more. Even if she had remotely thought about pulling away, the moment his lips met hers that was all cast out the window.
She couldn't get enough of him.
Sakura became so caught up in him, so enraptured by his affections that it would have brought tears to her eyes had another feeling not been stirring deep within her depths. She felt her stomach tighten, she could feel her body temperature rising, and she wanted to push the envelope. His kiss told her things that his mouth failed to, and she became addicted to the soundless words. Months of imagining what it would be like to kiss him, and there she was; a victim to his onslaught of sensual compassion. She felt like an idiot then, all those times she fought him and pushed him away; shutting him out and stepping back. Each kiss was patient...until it wasn't. When he tugged on her tongue with his lips, teeth, and tongue; she forgot how to think for a second. The action sent heat pooling in her core in an instant, turning on the desire she had been working so hard on avoiding.
She was almost devastated when he pulled away.
When Hinata and Ino had stepped back into the restroom, she had to work hard to hide the wild-eyed expression she was wearing. The change in her demeanor was obvious, and while Hinata initially tended to her own business; Ino was the one asking all the questions after they helped her clean up.
"You seem to be feeling a little better," Ino chirped, cutting off the shower and rolling out a towel for Sakura to use.
"Yeah," Hinata beamed. "You had me really worried there."
"I'm sorry," Sakura apologized, grunting when Ino jerked the towel away from her outstretched hand.
"I'm guessing Kakashi talked some sense into you?" Ino pressed, rubbing the towel down Sakura's arms.
"I suppose so—Ino, this is hardly necessary. I can dry myself off," she reached for the towel again.
Ino jerked it away once more, "No ma'am. You've done enough damage to your body today; you really shouldn't be bending over. What did he say to you?"
"You are being so ridiculous," Sakura admonished, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest; even though it was pointless, seeing as they'd both helped her strip down and clean her up.
"I'm just being cautious," Ino rebuked playfully. "Now, what did he say to you?"
Sakura scowled, "Why do you want to know so bad?"
She shrugged, "I just want to know what he said that helped you that we failed to do, that's all."
"How come I feel like that's the total opposite of what you're trying to do?" Sakura deadpanned, widening her stance so Ino could dry off her legs.
Ino grinned, scrubbing the towel up her left leg before moving over to the right, "I'm just saying—one minute you were pretty much catatonic and the next; you're beet red and oddly chipper."
"Ino," Hinata scolded from behind Sakura, gently tugging a brush through her pink locks. "It's none of your business."
"Tch," Ino scoffed, patting Sakura's front with the towel professionally despite the impish grin she was wearing. "Give it to me straight—you two fooled around, didn't you?"
"Ino!" Hinata barked.
"A little hand action—hmm? A little touchy-feely?"
Sakura opened her mouth to speak, only to have Ino raise her hands and cut her off.
"No, no no no—wait, wait; lemme guess..." Ino quirked her eyes mischievously, leaning back on her right leg and jutting her left hip out sassily. "A little tongue action? I know that when Hinata is feeling down, Naruto always goes do-"
"INO!" Hinata nearly yelled, her alabaster cheeks as red as cherries.
Ino chuckled, "What? We're all women here. You've told me more than I'd like to hear about Naruto, but I also happen to love hearing about people's sex lives; so, it's just natural to me. We might as well start sharing with Sakura, she's one of the girls now." Ino turned her attention back to Sakura. "So? Spill the beans."
"Nothing happened," Sakura lied, shuddering when the vents blew on and gusted air across her exposed skin.
"I hate to say it, Sakura—but you're really bad at lying. You know we are trained to pick up on that sort of thing, right? We interrogate people all the time, we know when we're being lied to. You might as well just come out at say it."
"I don't know why it matters to you so much," Sakura commented.
"Ugh!" Ino tossed her head back. "It's because I'm nosy, Sakura, and I've been on a mission to get you laid since it's been like eight months since you've been frisky. Then I find out that Kakashi is into you and I was like, oh hell yeah. I'm rooting for you to get your rocks off, and by someone who loves you no less!"
Sakura froze, meeting Ino's gaze with a her own appalled one. "You said he loves me?" She muttered softly.
"Well," Ino shrugged and shook her head, "he hasn't said anything, if that's what you're asking. He's just like, really into you and so I'm moreso saying just to say it..." Ino trailed off awkwardly, pausing to clear her throat and chirp back up. "So! What happened?"
"If you must know," Sakura sighed defeatedly. "We kissed."
Hinata let out a small happy gasp while Ino let out a bored, "boooooo."
"I can't believe you kissed!" Hinata exclaimed, tying the end of Sakura's hair she had braided.
"I can't believe it, either," Sakura mused, thinking back to when he traced her bottom lip with his tongue and feeling a familiar throb.
"How did it happen?" Hinata asked at the same time Ino blurted, "Was it hot?"
Sakura glanced between the two, perplexed. Not that she was a total shut in, but Sakura never really had close gal pals; so what was rather private to her was obviously something women tittered over with each other. She knew this was a thing, she saw it in chick flicks all the time; but it was another altogether to have two of them pressing you for the details. Sakura reached for the towel in Ino's hands; swiping it and wrapping it around her frame, "It just happened. He started kissing me all over, and one thing lead to another..."
"Mmmmm," Ino hummed suggestively, wiggling her shoulders and eyebrows. "I bet that got you pretty worked up. Where was he kissing you?"
Sakura flinched, incredulous, "You are really nosey!"
"Uh, duh. Now come on, out with the details woman!" Ino snapped impatiently.
"Hinata, back me up," Sakura retorted, turning her head to Hinata who was plucking clothes off the counter to hand to Sakura.
"Actually," she grinned softly. "I really want to know, too."
"Ugh!" Sakura sneered hoarsely, flexing her fingers wide in frustration. "Like, my face and my neck and stuff—damn." Even though she was sort of flustered at how pushy Ino was; one, she wasn't surprised in the slightest and two, she kind of liked spilling the beans—just a little.
"That's it? He just starts kissing you all over?" Ino questioned skeptically.
"Well, no—obviously. He came in and just started talking to me, but like...kissing me in between? He'd say something to make me feel better, then kiss me."
"That's romantic," Hinata breathed, lifting the shirt over Sakura's head and tugging it down slowly; taking extra time to pull Sakura's arms through straps as carefully as she could. After, she pulled up black pajama shorts from the bottom of her legs and snapping them over her hips.
"Ah, so then you got all caught up and was like," Ino widened her stance, bringing her elbows to her sides and balling her hands into fists; brows furrowed seriously. "'Give it to me, lover boy!'"
Sakura chuckled, "I guess? It was mutual. I turned, we were face to face and it just...happened."
"Did you use tongue?" Ino wiggled her brows again, moving from her stance to grab a bottle from the bag of toiletries she bought.
"He did," Sakura answered, giving up the concept of privacy with Ino.
"Was it hot?"
"Yes." She finally admitted.
"You're in trouble," Ino chuckled, squirting the lotion in her hands and rubbing it gingerly on Sakura's legs. At the same time, Hinata was delicately tending to each of Sakura's wounds; applying the ointments and medicine Himari instructed to. If Sakura didn't know any better, she would feel like some turn-of-the-century queen the way the two women were taking care of her. It warmed her heart, if she was being honest. Between Kakashi and these two; she'd never received so much special attention. Her parents took good care of her, but they were pretty hard on Sakura handling a lot of things herself to breed independence and self-reliance in Sakura; which worked, to almost a fault.
"Trouble...?" Sakura echoed, raising her arms so Ino could rub more of the lotion on her. In fact, she didn't even know why Ino was putting lotion on her to begin with—it's not like she really needed it.
"Big, big trouble," Ino nodded knowingly, rubbing the lotion in on Sakura's chest before stepping back and setting the lotion down on the counter. "You two really want each other, you can practically smell the sex pheromones in the air being passed between you two."
"You're being gross," Hinata asserted, putting all of the medicine back in the bag.
"It's not gross, it's science," Ino deflected matter-of-factly. "Listen, I know that you can't do anything right now, and honestly I hope you know I'm just teasing you. BUT, sister, please tell me that you're going to do something about your front lawn before you two get jiggy with it."
"Uh..." Sakura blanked. "My front lawn?"
"Yeah, you know—your lady bits," Ino pointed a finger down.
"Ah!" Sakura puffed. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that the seventies called and they want their bush back."
Hinata guffawed, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter; glancing down when Sakura glared at her.
Sakura crossed her arms, offended. "I don't 'mow the lawn,' Ino. I just trim the bushes...Besides..." a very slight, sly grin stretched on her face. "Kakashi told me he had a thing for the seventies, anyways..."
This time, it was Ino and Hinata who gaped in surprise; laughing after the small shock settled.
"Whatever you say," Ino sang. "I'm just saying most guys appreciate a smooth woman."
"Do you think I care what most guys appreciate?" Sakura bit back teasingly.
"Whatever," Ino repeated with a feckless pluck of her shoulder, opening the bathroom door. "I've got to go, now. You'll be fine, right?" She paused in the threshold of the door, looking back at Sakura.
"I'll be okay," Sakura mouthed. "Thank you, by the way...The both of you. I know this is a hassle, and I'm really sorry—but I really appreciate it and the both of you."
Hinata was at the door with Ino now, and both women were smiling at Sakura warmly. Each told Sakura it was no problem, and Ino followed up that she will check up on Sakura tomorrow after her shift. They waved their goodbyes, and marched down the hall; the sound of their voices conversing with Kakashi just dull murmurs she couldn't hear. With a low sigh, Sakura turned to face the mirror; groaning instantly when she caught sight of herself.
Of fucking course, Ino.
She wondered why she didn't notice it when Hinata was rolling the outfit on her. The top was a black camisole, minus the extra layer of fabric that typically comes over the breast area. The fabric itself, though incredibly soft, was equally incredibly thin—her breasts caused the fabric to peak at the tips of her nipples that were obnoxiously visible. Speckled across the middle of the chest portion looked to be a trail of little white bunnies. The shorts were made of the same soft, thin fabric; stopping just below her ass cheeks and she was sure that would ride up with each step. If she didn't feel so hideous, she would have thought she looked sexy in a cute, lazy sort of way.
She cursed Ino under her breath, Ino's words ringing in Sakura's ears about making it her mission to get Sakura laid.
Sakura turned slightly, letting out another irritated groan when she got a look at her backside; sure enough, the edges of the pajama bottoms came up in opposite curves over the globes of her behind.
"Sakura?" Kakashi called from the front of the hall. "Is everything okay?"
Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice, too caught up in staring at the teasing pj's. "Uh, yeah...I'm fine. Everything's fine."
"Okay, well I've got dinner here, if you're interested," his voice fading as he stepped back into the kitchen.
For another ten minutes, Sakura remained in the bathroom—unwilling to walk into the kitchen just yet. No matter how hot the kiss had been, she wasn't sure she was ready to expose herself like this to him; and she was pretty exposed. Her legs looked especially long, with how short the pj bottoms were and how they curved to hug her form. The cami barely covered her torso, leaving a vast expanse of visible skin over her upper torso; barely covering her breasts. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she was walking out and inviting him just because he kissed her; she didn't want to appear desperate or overly horny. More so, she didn't feel her sexiest so she doubt she would be able to exude the confidence that she had worked so hard over her years to maintain.
"Sakura? Are you sure you're okay?" Kakashi called again, closer this time.
"I'm-I'm fine!" She shouted too quickly.
"Do you need help with anything?"
"No...I'm fine," she called back.
"You're preaching to the choir," he chuckled.
Sakura grinned at his double entendre, taking three steady breaths and shaking her head slowly. She wished she had her pjs—maroon sweats and an old Pokemon t-shirt.
Taking shallow steps, she gradually made her way out of the bathroom, and pausing at the end of the hall, just out of sight of the kitchen and Kakashi. She stood there, frozen and feeling insecure. She couldn't believe she had to wear this, she felt practically naked.
"Sakura, are you standing in the hallway like some B-rated horror movie kid?" Kakashi teased from the kitchen. "Because if your next words are come play with me, I wouldn't know whether to be frightened or turned on."
Sakura giggled under breath, smoothing her sweating palms on the small patch of fabric the pj bottoms offered, "It's not that, I promise."
"Then what is it? Do I smell?"
"No," she sang back nervously. "It's Ino."
"Mh? Ino?" He echoed, confused. She heard the steps of his feet nearing her.
"Wait-STOP!" Sakura shouted, taking a slow step back.
The steps came to a sudden halt.
Sakura swallowed, peering down at her bare legs. She was thankful Hinata was sweet enough to shave them for her; one less thing to be embarrassed about.
"Did Ino molest you, Sakura?" Kakashi inquired, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"She assaulted me, alright—just not in the way you'd think...It's these pj's she bought me..." She explained delicately.
"I figured it wasn't the most modest clothing she got you," Kakashi drawled. "Ino isn't much for modesty anyways, so I assumed as much she wasn't going to do you any favors."
"Be that as it may," Sakura suspired. "I just feel really...exposed."
"If it makes you feel better," Kakashi began. "I've already seen you almost completely naked—remember? Cept, you had your dainty hands poised in jjjuuussst the right places because you had been-"
"That doesn't make me feel better," she grumbled, interrupting him.
As much as she hated it, he had a point. She had sexually assaulted him, and he ran in on her masturbating all in the same night; so what's a scanty pair of pjs?
"Alright, I'm going to step out," she warned from where she was.
"Alright," he mimicked casually. "I'm going to pour us our bowls of soup."
With one last intake of breath, she made her way out of the hall and stepping into the kitchen. Luckily, his back was facing her and he was doing exactly what he told her he was going to do; spooning soup into black bowls. "I made vegetable soup," he remarked. "I know you can't really eat the veggies, but I wasn't about to just give you broth. They'll add some flavor, and eventually as the week progresses if the veggies are soft enough we can..." he turned, a bowl in each hand. His sentence trailed off, onyx eyes openly raking her frame in the same manner he did when she was tending to him at the hospital. "Sakura, you're very hot," he smiled lopsidedly, moving to place the bowls on the kitchen table.
Sakura settled her eyes incuriously, cocking her head to the side, "You're just saying that."
"Mmmmhhmm..." he hummed, raising his chin and quirking one silver eyebrow naughtily; crossing the space from the table to stand in front of Sakura. "Unless you'd like me to prove it to you again? I don't mind, honestly," he winked at her saucily, placing his hand on her hip.
Sakura's skin leapt on contact, and she jabbed a small finger at his chest. "Since when did you get so familiar, pal?"
"Pal?" Kakashi echoed, placing a palm on his chest. "I think we're past that point, wouldn't you say?"
"Then what do you prefer?" Sakura challenged, lifting her chin to meet his gaze.
Kakashi hummed, peering up in thought, "Well, there's a select few. Kakashi, for starters."
"Naturally," Sakura remarked smoothly.
"There's partner...confidant...lover...one and only, best friend, baby daddy, great kisser, sex magnet, best-"
"Now you're just listing traits," Sakura rebuked.
He shrugged, "I got side tracked. I just want to impress you, with how hot you are and all."
"God," Sakura rolled her eyes. "I have never met anyone that is so...tacky..."
"Mmh, but I pull it off well, don't I?" He grinned, his other hand coming to land on the top of her left shoulder. Khol eyes combed over her body again, and when they flicked up to meet hers, she was greeted with a hunger she'd never seen before. She felt her cheeks go hot and her mouth run dry. He leaned in, slowly passing her mouth to whisper in her ear, "I don't mind, but I've got clothes you can change into if you'd feel more comfortable." He leaned back, dark eyes glittering at her disappointed expression. "What?" he quipped. "Were you expecting something?"
"You're a jackass," Sakura sighed, moving to side step him to head to the kitchen table.
"Wait," Kakashi chuckled, moving to get in her way. "I'm just teasing you."
"You're the second person to tease me tonight," Sakura noted with slight irritation.
"I'll be honest with you," he started. "I really want to kiss you again...but I feel like I have to ask permission."
"Why?" She breathed, noticing his hand had fallen back on her hip.
"Because I at no point want you to feel disrespected or taken advantage of. I don't want you to think that I would just assume things of you," he explained seriously, peering down into her eyes.
"I'll be honest with you," she mimicked quietly. "I think you're the last person in the world that would make me feel disrespected or taken advantage of."
"And what makes you say that?"
"Experience," Sakura answered easily.
Kakashi nodded knowingly, "Mine or yours?"
"Both."
"Kiba told me he spilled the beans," he stated, stepping back from her. "Let's eat our soup and talk, it's getting cold."
The pair sat at the table, and Sakura noted on how amazing the soup smelled. She stirred it with a spoon, sipping only small amounts she could manage. The contraction of her throat hurt to the point that she didn't want to eat, but she was so hungry she knew she had to finish as much as she could at a slow pace. The two ate in silence for several minutes before Sakura set down her spoon to take a break and speak up. "I'm sorry, you know."
"Sorry for what?" he inquired, taking a long sip of his water. She watched the way his throat flexed and his jaw tensed—she found herself staring a little longer than she'd admit to.
"For what happened to you," she answered, watching the way his brow ticked slightly.
"It happens, Sakura. I'm not hung up over it, I've grown up and moved on," he leaned back, resting an arm out fully against the table, regarding her with a cool gaze.
"I understand, I guess I just hate that it had to happen to you," she explained.
"I hate that it happened to you, too," he murmured, eyes earnestly paired with hers.
Sakura straightened, confused. "Ino told you...?"
He shook his head, "No. I just had a hunch, is all."
"Mh," she grunted, mindlessly stirring her soup. "I guess I made it pretty obvious?"
Kakashi raised a shoulder, jutting out his lip, "I wouldn't say obvious. I suppose it just takes one to know one."
Sakura remained silent. He wasn't asking it, hell—he wasn't pushing it even by the slightest, but she felt her chest tighten at the thought of opening up that part of her life to him. What would he even begin to think of her? Would he see her as weak for putting up with all of Sasuke's shit? Would he see her as damaged goods?
As if reading her mind, Kakashi spoke, "There's nothing you can say that would change my opinion of you. If you want to talk about it, you can. If you don't, we'll finish our soup and watch The Many Faces of Ito."
Sakura swallowed the lump in her throat, staring down at her thumbs and shaking her head, "It's a lot, Kakashi. Surely you don't want me to dump all my baggage on you."
"Try me," he challenged softly.
She waited, carefully weighing her options in her head. She could stop now, keep the past in the past and he'd be none the wiser. The problem with that is her experience with Sasuke made her who she is today, and she felt that if she were serious about getting involved with Kakashi—it's something he should know. The other part of her feared what he might think, and of all the options the latter was the most daunting. Telling Ino had been no problem, as she was looking at it from a friend's perspective. As a lover, it was an entirely different ballpark altogether. The thought dawned on her then, that this moment could be make or break for her depending on how Kakashi reacts. She could lay it all on the table; if he's meant to be involved with her, he'll respond accordingly. If he takes it in a negative manner, then obviously their paths aren't meant to cross the way she was begging to secretly want them to.
Sakura breathed in and out, picking her head up and bearing her eyes into Kakashi's waiting gaze.
She let it all out.
From beginning to end, she explained to him every detail that she had even forgot to divulge in Ino. She told him about the cheating, the betrayal, the gaslighting; the awful things he'd tell her on a daily basis, and how stupid she felt for hanging around. She explained how trapped she felt, how she thought she loved him but that it died long, long before the relationship even progressed. She told him how she stayed around just for the comfort of company, to feel like she had a shot at intimacy—of which Sasuke never gave her. Every hidden emotion, every desperate thought; she relayed over to Kakashi. Sakura told him about the awful sex, how emotionless and selfish he was; how she was never fulfilled or satisfied with him. She told him about the spiteful hook ups and desperate attempts to rile some sort emotion out of the stoic man. She gave all the information she could, every story she could trudge; up until the breaking point, when she caught him in the apartment with the other two women. She followed with her healing process, how it took her months to undo what he'd ingrained into her head; further explaining why she felt like she couldn't trust just anyone, and how she felt like she had to protect herself at all costs because she didn't want to have her heart broken like that again. She didn't want to give herself wholly to someone, to feel totally intertwined with their being and just be tore to shreds. She told him how Tokyo was a fresh start for her, a longtime dream that she pursued after Sasuke. Kakashi remained silent the entire time, soaking in everything she was laying out and remaining calm except for the twitch of his brow, or slight grimace of his mouth. When she finished, silence stretched between them for a long, pregnant pause; all the while Kakashi stared at Sakura, tapping the kitchen table in slow, deliberate taps.
She felt uncomfortable in the silence; she felt the need to say something to help diffuse how raw and open she felt. The longer the silence stretched out, the more she began to think he wasn't responding the way she had hoped he would. For some reason, this hurt her; it was a pang in her chest that she was all too familiar with. "You know what, I'm sorry," Sakura stood up, grunting at the burning pain she felt with the sudden action. "I shouldn't have said anything," she muttered, walking through the living room to the set of glass sliding doors that she figured lead to the backyard. She needed air suddenly, she needed to leave the situation. She felt like a fucking idiot; a desperate, vulnerable moron. She took the leap to reveal a very delicate part of herself, and he was judging her for it. She should have fucking known better. She should have kept her mouth shut, but she didn't.
She jerked the doors open, biting down hard on her lip from how bad it hurt and stepping through into the cold night. The backyard had a patio made of weathered wood with a picnic table off to the left. The backyard was denser with vegetation than the front- it was so dark and thick with threes she couldn't see ten feet past the patio. The chilly night time air surrounded her slender shoulders like a freezing blanket, causing her to shudder immediately. She didn't even know what she was doing back there, but where else could she go? It's not like she could go back to her apartment, not unless she wanted to be attacked again.
Sakura froze.
Suddenly, the resentment she was feeling only seconds ago became replaced with gripping fear. Everything fell into place in a snap, reminding her she was in a dangerous situation. She glanced around, peering into the thick darkness nervously. What the fuck was she doing, putting herself out in the open like this? What if they were poised outside, just waiting for her to come out? To her right, the low wind whipped through leaves; alerting her and causing her to jump. Her breath billowed out in small cold puffs and she could feel her nose starting to prickle. The bottoms of her feet were burning from how cold it was, and though her frame was tremoring, her heart was pulsing at a beat too fast for her own comfort.
"Sakura, come back inside."
Sakura stiffened, slowly lifting her arms to cross them over her mid-section. She kept her back to him, too concerned with the darkness in front of her. Footsteps behind her became louder as he progressed, stopping directly behind her as he had in the bathroom. Long hands wrapped over the tops of her shoulders, turning her to face him. Sakura kept her eyes on the worn wood below her, fighting hard to control her body's shaking. A knuckle hooked under her chin, raising it up so her eyes were looking into his, surprising her. What she expected was the cold judgmental stare she often received from Sasuke regularly; what she got was a compassionate gaze, slightly concerned. "Why did you take off like that?" He inquired softly.
"I...I thought that you were..." She stammered, losing grip on her previous argument. "You didn't say anything, so I just thought that you were...thinking less of me...?" She closed her eyes. She felt as stupid as she sounded.
"I didn't say anything because I was feeling a lot of different emotions very strongly, and I was just processing them," Kakashi explained evenly. "Please don't mistake my silence as judgment."
"I'm sorry," she whispered in a hushed tone, opening her eyes again. She was being dramatic and stupid. She felt exhausted, then. The day had been insanely long, and its' effects were starting to show.
"You don't need to apologize to me, Usagi. You don't owe me shit, first of all," he adjusted his hand, brushing his thumb along her jaw. "Second, from the very depths of my being I'm the one that's sorry. You're the last person I'd want to see having to go through what you endured with him—and I'm sorry it happened."
Sakura's teeth chattered, and she shook her head, "It's not your fault..."
"Hold on," Kakashi grunted, grabbing her hand and guiding her back into the warmth of the house. He slid the door shut, locking it behind him and pulling blinds over to cover it completely. Gradually Sakura began to thaw; her shivering subsided and the stinging sensation in her souls ebbed away. She glanced down at her toes, wiggling them before catching sight of something else completely.
She had almost completely forgotten the thin material she was wearing.
She had stepped out into the cold night.
Her nipples were practically stabbing through the feeble top.
Blushing, she raised her arms up with a grunt; crossing them tightly over her chest, pushing them up in attempts to cover her nipples with her forearms. At the same time, it didn't escape her notice his brief glance down before black eyes flicked back up to look at her with a humored gleam in them. She glared at him, twisting her torso sideways away from him, "Pervert."
"Absolutely," he chuckled, wrapping his hand around her hip. "Before you go off and tell the press I fell victim to Ino's ploy of putting you in sexy pajamas, let me just say something."
Sakura waited, not realizing that she had leaned her hip into his touch.
Kakashi's eye bore into hers with sincerity, "I understand why you feel the way you feel; why you protect yourself. Just also understand that what you've been through only makes me think you're stronger, and helps me to understand you even further. I need you to understand I'm not him; I'll treat you far better than he ever has, nor any other man for that matter."
"That's a mighty boast," Sakura commented huskily.
He shrugged, "I've got time to prove it."
"Don't you think it's weird?" She muttered.
"What is?"
"I don't know...I guess how close we feel? We haven't even gone on a date, yet you're saying all these things..."
"Yeah," he nodded. "It is weird. I've also stopped questioning it long ago, and just sort of went with the ride."
"It might take me longer..." she admitted quietly.
Kakashi grinned, "I'm a patient man...Now, you've had an incredibly long day, I bet you're fuckin exhausted."
"I am," she nodded tiredly, running her hands down the sides of her hips.
"And still cold," he smirked sinfully.
Sakura gasped, plucking her arms back up and feeling her cheeks heat up.
"I can get you a shirt and some sweats, if you'd be more comfortable in that," Kakashi offered.
"Um..." Sakura deliberated. "Yeah, just a shirt. The shorts I can handle..."
"Well I'm glad one of us can," he remarked, leaning in and kissing her fully on the lips; taking her breath away and sending warm tingles all over her body.
Was it going to be like this every time?
She pressed into him, moving her lips with his slowly at first; loving how each kiss lingered longer than the last. The hand around her hip squeezed; this thumb shifting under the fabric to brush on the bear skin there. She removed her arms from their crossed position, lifting them only halfway to set them against his hard stomach; stepping forward to close the distance that was between them. The kiss became hungrier then; mouths pushing against each other with mutual neediness. Deep within her a warmth had begun to spread, from her core and shooting out through her fingers and toes. Kakashi's whole hand slipped under her top, gripping just above her hip with his fingers splayed out to touch her ribs; causing her skin to jump and muscles to tighten in response. She had her chest pressed against his, her nipples now hard peaks that pressed through; the fabric of her top and the strong plane of his chest dragging over them at the same time he nipped her lower lip and snuck his tongue into her mouth. The succession caused a slight, raspy, quiet moan to rip itself from the center of her throat and her torso to shudder at the sparks of pleasure she felt with his chest against her painfully tight buds.
Kakashi hummed deep in his chest, deepening the kiss even further and his free hand travelling down from the back of her shoulder to cup her behind; starting from just behind the apex of her core and pulling up in a gruff squeeze. Sakura panted against his lips, taken back by his bold ministration and pressing her hips flush against his body; wiggling her fingers under the edge of his shirt and trailing up to feel the molded muscle there. Using her fingertips, she traced the valley of his abdominals, delighting in the way they twitched and tightened underneath her touch. The hand that had been gripping her behind slid over the curve, down to the back of her thigh, and trailing up the back of her inner thigh; dipping in again where her hamstrings met her center, very nearly brushing her entrance and pulling back up in another tight squeeze. Feeling bold, Sakura took the opportunity to bite down on his lip and suck it back with a tug. Instantly Kakashi shifted, right foot stepping out to the side and his left foot jutting between her feet to nudge them apart; pushing his knee between her legs and bringing him even closer to her. In that stance, the length of his thigh was pressed tight against her sex, and the rough material of the jeans grazed her throbbing heat through the thin material of her shorts; fanning the flame that was now roaring within her.
Whatever sensibility she had was long gone.
Modesty, insecurity, and inhibition dissolved into goo.
His touch felt so good, leaving fine trails of heat with goosebumps in their wake. His kiss was addicting, she couldn't get enough of his taste. Tension rolled off his strong body in waves and she wanted nothing more than to climb the towering tree that was Kakashi. He leaned in, the hand that was over her ribs slid down to the back of her hip and pulled her higher up on his thigh; completely closing what little distance was between her core and his leg. Being that close, any slight movement tugged up through her center, and the subtle dragging felt so good that it literally made her body ache with instant need. His hand flexed around her hip, angling her down and very slowly pulling her center up his thigh while pressing his thigh further through. He did this carefully, grinding her hot sex against his thigh several times; each drag just a little harder than the last, lifting his knee to apply more pressure—not once breaking the heated kiss. With each heavy drag her breath would hitch, billowing out in breathy, hiccupped gasps. The scene was erotic—he was guiding her hip to grind on his thigh leisurely. She didn't think something like this would cause pleasure, but every time he brought her hip down and up a small burst of desire would echo along her clit agonizingly; the action so languid while her body was screaming to increase the pace. It was pure torture, just enough pleasure to send a fresh wave of electricity throughout her body, but not enough to put her over the edge. Mindlessly, she grasped his sides and drug herself up his thigh with a hard roll of her torso and hips.
The cry that escaped her lips was not one of delight.
At the motion, Sakura was warranted a sudden, sharp stabbing pain that unwillingly brought her back to earth.
Kakashi stiffened, pulling his knee back and detracting his hands from her body; breaking the kiss and leaning over, "Are you okay?" His voice was thick and husky, his eyes burning and dark.
She nodded, chewing on her lower lip and squeezing her legs together to offset the fading pulses she felt.
He shook his head, running a hand through thick silver locks and chuckling, "You are going to break me."
"I'm sorry?" she grated, pink brows twitching down.
"I told myself to not let things get out of hand because you're hurt right now," he explained evenly. "I've never had one person challenge my control like you seem to do."
"Oh," Sakura remarked shortly. "I'm sorry...I guess I took it too far..."
Kakashi wiggled a finger at her, "No, ma'am. Please, please take it as far out of hand with me as you want- when you're healed and feeling better. Right now we've got to be careful, we can't risk you getting hurt again or your stitches re-opening. How would we explain that to Ino, hmmm? That you tore them open dry humping me?"
"She'd eat that up," she commented with a grin.
He nodded, eyebrows raised, "Oh yeah, she'll eat it up and she won't let us live it down." He moved in, nearing her and kissing her birthmark on her forehead gently; muttering up against it, "You're not in the right physical state to be doing things like this right now. I even took extra special care in moving your body for you as to not hurt you. Well, that and it's just really hot."
"We can take it slow," Sakura suggested, freezing once she realized the words that came out of her mouth. She almost didn't recognize herself. He was bringing out in her a woman who had been repressed in so long that she was rearing her head with a vengeance; threatening to take over and consume her.
Kakashi chortled, leaning back to regard her with a surprised expression, "Don't tell me there's a woman hornier than I am?"
She smiled, scraping her teeth against her lip to settle her nerves. She was aggravated, she didn't want to talk. She wanted action, she wanted to feel his hands on her skin again.
"Just be patient," he suggested, kissing her forehead again. "Once you're better, we will have all the time in the world. So, let's make a deal: no sex until after this month of healing is over. No heavy petting, either."
"A whole month?" She admonished, glaring at him. Somewhere in her mind a voice reminded her that they had just barely kissed, and that what he was asking wasn't bad by any means; it just so happened that the voice of the repressed woman was louder. She felt as though she had waited long enough, considering most people sleep with each other within a week or so of meeting. As much as she wanted to dwell on the injustice, rationality started to set in as her sex-hazed mind began to clear.
"We can't take any chances. You wouldn't even be able to be in the moment because you'd be hurting so bad. It's not worth to ruin what's going to be an outstanding moment between us. I want to make sure you're healthy and healed before anything else."
"Fine," Sakura huffed, still agitated. Now that the line has been crossed and she's tasted blood, she couldn't imagine staying under the same roof as him and not fooling around. When she was at her apartment, she couldn't get him off of her mind and she often helped herself out to relieve the pressure. Being in his presence? Being able to kiss him? It was achingly unfair.
She didn't think she'd have the same steel composure that Kakashi appeared to have.
"Now, if you'll excuse me- I've got to go take a cold shower. The shirts are in the dresser, grab whichever one you want. The bed is yours to sleep on, I'll be making a cot on the ground. Oh, and there's a big bag on the dresser; that's yours." He broke away with a haughty grin, brushing past her to clean up in the kitchen.
Once Kakashi was done and took off to shower, Sakura made her way to the bedroom; changing into one of Kakashi's grey shirts painstakingly slow, and settling in the bed; snuggling tightly with three incredibly fluffy blankets that were in the bag he was telling her about. One was black, one was white, and the other a baby blue; all three unendingly soft to the point that she wanted to tangle herself in them if she didn't have to lay on her back. The sounds of the shower echoed into the bedroom, and it became a white noise that served to host Sakura's thoughts. Her body still thrummed from when his hands were on her, the proof was obvious between her legs. She hated to admit that Kakashi was right; she was in no position to be partaking in extracurricular activities. That didn't change the fact that she wanted to push the envelope; she wanted to go beyond her comfort zone with Kakashi, in more ways than just the bedroom. She was beginning to step into his space; to experience a world where he was a part of it as equals, instead of revolving around him. He had given her confidence, the tender way he assured her with compassion and consideration. He lit a fire in her that she was sure had died out long ago with Sasuke. Sakura wasn't sure exactly where this would go, but she also felt like there was no pressure to take it anywhere specifically—just as long as he was a part of it.
She wasn't too sure when everything changed for her. She couldn't pin point it to one moment, or a series of them; she just knew that it has changed. Kakashi was beginning to be a person she wanted in on every aspect of her life; her secrets, fears, and desires. She knew it wasn't instant, all things took time; but for once she felt confident and sure about trusting him.
The day had been longer than long, and now that she was laying in an impressively comfortable bed; sleep began to encroach in on her senses. Maybe it was because she was beyond exhausted, maybe it was because she had experienced the hottest make out sessions she's ever had the pleasure of being a part of; but Ino's words started to creep into her mind, telling her about what women would divulge in her after a romp with him. She had figured that maybe it was just talk, considering he happened to be charming in a careless sort of way—but she didn't doubt it now. Sasuke was so passionless, and he used to act like he was doing a favor by "fucking her senseless" which really was only doggy style until he came and collapsed on her. There was almost never any foreplay, and if there was it was uncomfortable due to how pushy he was. Most of the time, sex hurt because she wasn't primed in the slightest. Even her past lovers and random hook ups couldn't compare to just simple heavy petting with Kakashi. She figured dry humping was a thing horny teenagers did; he more than proved her wrong. It turned her on to think about the careful way he guided her hips, as if introducing her to what love making with him would be like. From the bathroom, she heard the water cut off and her mind took her to even more dangerous places.
When she ran her hands over his stomach, the feeling was by far more satisfying than she'd like to give him credit for. She'd seen fit men before; she's even slept with a few of them, but it was something about his skin reacting under her touch that held more weight. Maybe it was because of the chemistry between them, or purely because he just so happened to be a hot slice of man that she was witness to herself; both played a perilous factor. She imagined how he must be looking right now, stepping out of the shower with water droplets falling over his broad chest, down his taunt stomach, and trailing even lower. Ino's words rang in again. Ino had said something about the team teasing him about his size, and how it made Naruto uncomfortable with how "big" it was.
Surely, surely they have to be acting dramatic about it.
When she was pressed tight against him, she doesn't remember feeling anything pressing through his pants; then again, she was so focused on what she was feeling that everything else melted around her. She could ask Naruto about it if she really wanted, but asking straight out would put a target on her and probably make Naruto uncomfortable. She could "run in" on Kakashi in the restroom, but that would just add to the growing list that was Sakura being a sexual deviant. She could ask Kakashi himself, but he'd be so goddamned smug and he'd tease her endlessly about it. Her curiosity burned, because she felt like one man really couldn't have it all. Charm, good looks, a nice body—and a big dick on top of it. Everyone had flaws, and his couldn't be just that scar down his face, to which she didn't even consider a flaw to begin with; it appealed to her, if she was being honest. Considering all her options, she took a page from Ino's "Pervert 101" that Ino had told her once when they were having lunch together. "Look for a package," she asserted with a curt nod of her head. "If all you see is balls, chances are their dick is small. If you see a lump hunched over the balls, hop on that shit, bitch!"
Christ, Ino was crass.
Regardless, if the opportunity arouse; that's exactly what she was going to do...
Wait.
Who was she kidding?
Was she really that wound up that she'd really consider checking out a guy's junk?
Sakura shook her head and sighed, "Easy, girl."
The bathroom door opened, catching her attention and watching steam billow out in light clouds. Through the haze, she saw him step out; brushing his teeth and heading over to the dresser. Silver hair had flopped over considering it was typically shot out in a mussed and wild shock. The same bolt of desire that she felt earlier managed to make itself known again at the sight of him. He wore nothing but black boxers and, which his back turned to her while he dug in the dresser, she got a nice view of his surprisingly toned ass. Had she been feeling better and not hurting, she would of leapt up in a heartbeat to smack it; just to see if it'd smack her back with how firm it appeared. His legs were long, muscular, and toned; covered in silver hair. Just like the rest of his body, his back was just as fit; defined, however speckled with just as many scars as she saw on his chest when she stitched his wound. Knowing now what he actually does for a living—rather, she had an idea about it—she wondered how often he got hurt that would warrant scars like these. Was it during every job he went on? How did he handle the pain, was he jaded to it by now or was he-
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
You have got to be kidding me.
During her train of thought, the man had the fucking audacity to turn around; granting her the viewing pleasure of the front of his body—and his boxers. What had Ino said? If something was hanging over and...fuck. She couldn't think straight. This must be some sick joke from the universe, some shit pulled straight out of the romance novels her mom used to read by herself all the time. Was it supposed to be that...thick? It quite literally bulged out of the allotted space boxers had for men's package, there was no room to spare and for a split second she felt interested and nervous. Sasuke was just average, and she'd only been with one guy who was below average; but she felt, it wasn't the size but how you use it. That being said, if he was as big as his bulge let on...Sakura felt like a teenager, she was practically gaping openly at him; eyes wide and jaw agape. Kakashi stood there, toothbrush in his mouth and a pair of black pajama pants in his free hand. His eyes followed her gaze, smiling smugly around the toothbrush when he realized the target of her attention. Onyx eyes flicked back to hers, and Sakura snapped her jaw shut instantly and opted to glare at him. He gave her a crafty wink, meandering back to the bathroom with an aloof swagger.
Sakura laid her head back on the pillow, cursing under her breath.
If things weren't already bad enough, this was going to be one hell of a month.
Two and a half weeks have passed since Sakura has been staying at Kakashi's house; her muscles already feeling better, the bruises were almost faded away though not completely for the deeper ones. Her voice was still marred, and all the other wounds were still working on healing; altogether, better than when she had started. The ruptured blood vessels were completely gone; that side of her face no longer red and swollen. The scratches on the other side were almost completely healed, except it seemed two of the four—one laying diagonal from the corner of her eye, and another right underneath just over the top of her cheek bone—seemed to be taking longer to heal and she worried they would scar. Granted, the first several days were some of the hardest in her life. Even regular actions seemed to be some grand feat, and for the most part she had to rely on others to help her. The team took turns in coming to stay with her when Kakashi had to leave for a job. Typically it was Ino if she didn't have a shift at the hospital, Hinata, Tenten, or Temari. If they were busy, Kiba would stop by, Shikamaru, and she even had the delight of spending the day with Choji. She found she got along easily with all of the team, and while sometimes she could feel the panic starting to set in; none of them gave her the chance to dwell on it. They almost always had something to do, or they'd talk her up until she couldn't talk anymore. With the girls, it was usually beauty sessions of face masks and someone painting her toes. Shikamaru brought Shogi with him and taught Sakura to play. Kiba typically took to watching something on TV, and they made it a game of who could talk the most shit about the characters. Choji always brought bags and bags of food with him; to either snack on or he'd have her cook a meal with him. Neji and Shino were always out doing something, however they'd pop in from time to time just to check in on her. Anytime Hinata was over, Naruto would be over every other time—either chatting it up with Kakashi and anyone else there, bringing his gaming console to play, or just annoying everyone happily. She learned Rock Lee ran a dojo full time, so in between jobs, the club, and his dojo—it came around seldomly, albeit he was still very happy to be around.
Sakura was learning that the team was just really one big family, and she was starting to like the idea of being a part of these people's lives. She would worry what the future would hold, but she'd quickly cast it off to simply be in the moment with these people. She found that she blended in really easily with them, and she would get excited seeing any one of them walking through the door. She was thankful they kept her so preoccupied, but even still she had small moments where she would be erratically gripped by fear. She'd become paranoid, nervous when she'd hear someone was off on a job and wondering if it had to do with Sota. She'd ask as casually as possible about where they were at, if they've gotten any closer to catching him or not. Each person was a steel trap, casting her request off with a dismissive wave telling her, "We've got it handled," and then quickly changing the subject. When she was alone, even if for a couple minutes, she tried not to think about what could possibly be happening; if Sota was lurking around her job or if he'd find a way to get ahold of her parents. These happened more often than not when she was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling in a quiet brood. Every time, Kakashi could somehow tell what she was thinking; and every time he'd manage to convince her that it was going to be okay, be it by kissing her or telling her.
As far as no fooling around went, Sakura was having a hard time controlling her body's response to Kakashi. Her skin behaved as though she'd never been touched before; each reaction seemed to fuel longer, more intense than the last. He'd done a good job at keeping their interactions PG—he was even making sure to keep the kissing to simple chaste kisses, to her disdain. They hadn't kissed each other in the same manner they did her first night there. For every time she'd grow a little bold, he'd merely chuckle at her and pull back in a gentle reprimand. She wondered where the man mustered all that self-control; she was nearly bursting at the seams. Night after night she was graced with the sight of him in just pajama bottoms. It didn't help that in the mornings, he looked too goddamned sexy for his own good. His wolfish voice would manage to come off lower, huskier, and raspy. His hair would be more mussed than usual, and the way his heavy-lidded eyes looked at her and he'd flash her a lopsided grin—she was sure she was going to die from repressed sexual tension. Sometimes, she even felt like he was purposely teasing her, just to see how far he can get before she acts.
It was subtle, as subtle as it could be considering how they interacted the first time around. They would be doing fine, casually chatting about something or other, when he'd almost instantly be in her space; leaning over her, behind her, or to her side. He'd whisper, most of the time it was in regards to the conversation they were having, but the problem was his words practically dripped with sex appeal. His touches would be fleeting and lingering; a light brush along her hip, a warm trail down her arm, or a soft squeeze around the nape of her neck. Every time he closed the distance between them, she wanted nothing more than to reach up and wrap her arms around his neck now that she was able to move freely again—though she was having to stretch every morning and night, as Ino instructed her to do because Himari told her to. Sometimes she'd catch him looking at her a certain way, his midnight eyes would burn with feelings she was too nervous to dissect. As well, if the playful flirting and teasing was bad before, it had become worse.
To diffuse her sexual frustration, Sakura often made teasing jabs at him in some manner regarding the topic. In the beginning, it was innocent enough; it made her feel a little better to laugh it off with him. He'd obviously tease her back, and she realized the banter between her and Kakashi was one she really enjoyed. It was only after awhile that his responses became dangerous, words dripping like melted chocolate over her ears and making her body clench. At this point, she figured he was purely trying to get a rise out of her; his smug smile at her red face was proof enough. She'd try to play it off, tease him back and giggle away the intensity—but left alone, typically during a shower, his words would bounce around her head in haunting echoes that always ended in her hands straying somewhere lower. Since she was able to shower by herself after the first five days, she'd release some of the pressure she was feeling being around this man—and even then, it almost wasn't enough. She felt as though she were one of those old bombs under the sea; ready to blow at the slightest touch. It made her crazy, and a part of her was hoping the next week and a half would hurry so she could have full reign. Then again, since time had passed and there was considerable space between them; she felt almost nervous at the thought of being intimate with him. Sakura felt anxious even, because she didn't know exactly what she was going to do. Was it supposed to be planned? Or simply random? Would it be as hot as the first time, or better since they've gotten to know each other even more?
Sakura has learned a lot of things about Kakashi since staying with him. He was an avid reader; he'd typically have a novel in his hand while they sat and watched TV; a series called Icha Icha. He's actually really neat and kept together, he always did the dishes after dinner and put things in their respectable places when he was done. Breakfast was his favorite meal of the day, and the morning when Sakura had graduated from soft foods to full on meals; he went all out. Coffee, juice, tea, miso soup, fried eggs and natto with white rice—and her favorite omelet, full of fresh veggies. Sakura had never woken up to breakfast before, but walking in on him cooking shirtless to Love Train was something straight out of a Cosmo magazine. She didn't even know men like this existed, but here was—making her breakfast and slapping the top of the omelet in a very suggestive manner. Even if he was gone most of the time on jobs, she still got to see him in the mornings and in the evenings. Every three days or so, he'd be home all day and they'd lounge around together—him still keeping her at a considerable distance. He's offered her several times to go for a walk around the property—there was a trail and a pond—but every time she'd step out her anxiety would get the best of her. He decided then that they would take her out in doses, until she felt comfortable being out again.
Sakura hated that her fear was still managing to get to her.
Since the first night, Sakura hadn't had an episode like she did when she arrived here. Kakashi, along with everyone else, was really happy that she was sleeping soundly for the most part—and she had been happy, too. Sakura worried if it was something that was going to happen all the time, but after the first week she decided that it wasn't something she'd have to worry about any more. At least, that's what she had thought.
Two days into the second week, that notion shattered to pieces.
She doesn't really remember what happened; what could have triggered it. All she remembers is dreaming of Sota—except that he was this disfigured, hideous man looming over her. It was a nightmare of rape, of being held down and stabbed and cut into pieces. Sota would laugh, but the laugh was of the man that had attacked her, and it would echo within the dream over and over; only becoming so loud to the point it was deafening. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out, she would jerk her wrists and legs; but other faceless men sat there and held them still. She couldn't escape, she couldn't scream; she was a victim to this man's twisted onslaughts, helpless to do anything but lie there to be tortured again and again.
Sakura woke up with Kakashi over her; knees on either side of her hips and hands holding her wrists firmly. His silver brows were quirked with concern and his wide-eyed gaze told her she had probably been freaking out badly. Her already hoarse throat felt more sore than usual, and he told her she had been screaming at the top of her lungs for nearly ten minutes. When she asked what she did, Kakashi explained that at first her body had been thrashing and that's what woke him up—he was immediately thinking she was having a seizure; but when she began to blindly throw punches at him he knew she was having a nightmare. Even though he had calmed her down, every time she closed her eyes all she'd see was a disfigured face looming over at her; cackling and mocking her. It was only when she crawled over the edge of the bed to peer down at Kakashi, who was staring up at her and running his hands through his silver hair; waiting for Sakura to speak.
"Hey...do you think you could maybe..." Sakura trailed off, glancing down at her hands and sighing. She had felt like a little kid.
"Sleep with you?" He finished calmly.
Sakura nodded.
Kakashi pulled himself up, "Alright," he sighed, grinning slightly. "But no funny business, I am a man of god and remember you're still hurt."
He crawled up onto the bed with her, tucking himself into the blankets and laying his hand flat across her stomach. Their eyes met for an immeasurable amount of time until she fell back asleep.
Since then, Sakura has been sharing the same bed with Kakashi. His frame took up the bed, and each night she'd creep just a little closer; feeling protected and safe. Even still, every other night she's been having night terrors, to which he's been patiently handling. Neither of them could figure out what was triggering them, try as they might there was nothing they could do but ride them out. Sakura had no idea how he was so patient, she felt that he would have complained by now, or told her something about it; but that was never the case. Any time she went to apologize he'd silence her with a quick pecks until she gave up altogether. She was incredibly thankful for Kakashi, for his team, and for the safety. She didn't know what she could do to make it up to them, so she always settled for letting everyone know as often as she could she genuinely appreciated them.
Last night had been particularly hard—she had a nightmare that Sota had managed to capture her parents, and the dream consisted of her watching them being beat to death while she was tied down to a chair. The cries of her mother seemed to pierce through her dream, breaking her out of her sleep kicking and screaming. Kakashi had pulled her into his arms, holding her there until the screaming had become broken sobs. The dreams of herself getting hurt were one thing, but of her parents being tortured was completely different. She couldn't stand the thought of them being put in danger because of her; and would never forgive herself if something were to happen to them. Kakashi patiently reminded her that her parents are across the globe; that Sota wouldn't go so far as to dispatch men across the world because that wasn't his jurisdiction. Once Sakura had calmed down, she fell back asleep and ended up waking up around early noon.
Sakura padded to the kitchen, where Kakashi was standing in the front doorway talking to the red-haired man named Gaara. They mumbled words to each other she couldn't hear, but once she made her way into the kitchen, they both stopped talking and glanced over at her. Kakashi raised a palm to Gaara, mouthing something to which Gaara gave a slow nod, and Kakashi strode her way.
"Hi," Sakura croaked, still rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
"Yo," Kakashi smirked, using his palm to guide her down the hall and back into the bedroom. Once in, he shut the door behind him and stopped a foot in front of her; regarding her confused expression. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," Sakura admitted, feeling her thigh twitch when Kakashi's hand went to draw up and down lazily with his finger. She was wearing one of his shirts, along with a different pair of pajama shorts Ino had bought her; so naturally the majority of her legs were revealed, but after some point she stopped being bothered by it.
"There's coffee on the pot for you," he whispered, leaning in to plant a kiss on the corner of her jaw.
"Um..." Sakura's mind went blank, and her heart rate shot up a little. "What...?"
"I'm going to be on a job most of the day," he continued, kissing down her neck. "Later tonight the team will be over." He kissed across her collar bone to the other side of her neck tenderly, leaving no inch untouched by his lips.
Sakura swallowed, slightly panting, "For what?"
"Once a month we have a small get together, it helps us to relax when the jobs get tough," he answered lowly, now using his nail to scrape along the goosebumps on her thigh. "Choji and Shikamaru will be showing up sometime later in the evening to start cooking. Everyone else will sort of trinkle in. I should be back by six before everyone shows up, in the meantime Gaara will be here to hang out with you."
"Oh, yeah...K-kiba told me about that..." Sakura stuttered, flexing her hands and shifting when his hand moved to trail along her inner thigh. Kakashi removed his lips from her neck to press them fully on her mouth, squeezing her thigh and smiling against her lips when she jumped in response.
Sakura pulled away, almost dizzy, "What...what are you doing?"
"Hmmm..." he kissed her again, painstakingly slow. "You had a really tough night last night. I just wanted to make you feel a little better." His lips traveled up her throat, settling just below her earlobe while his hand went back to making the same lazy lines.
"You did make me feel better..." she commented, her voice just as hazy as her mind felt. "Don't we have another week and a half...?"
Kakashi smiled against her neck, "Whose counting?" He nipped the flesh there, letting out a low rumble of a chuckle when she jumped again. "And who says that was my intention...I just want to make you feel better, Sakura." His hand moved to her inner thigh again, fingers dragging up in the crease between her thigh and pubic area to fold around her hip. The familiar neediness began to ache again, and she squeezed her thighs together to offset the pang there.
"Maybe too good," she muttered, hating how her body flexed at the contact. Never in her life has she been so eager for someone to touch her. Never in her life has she wanted attention from a man than she did Kakashi. It both excited and frightened her.
"No such thing," he murmured roguishly, kissing the corner of her mouth lightly before wrapping his arm around her and kissing her with such an intensity that her head felt light. His hand moved from her hip to trail down to the back of her knee, raising it to hook around him; palm running back and forth over her thigh. He continued the dizzying kiss, pulling away once or twice to kiss her shoulder and let her breathe. Sakura felt her mind whirling and her body reacting erratically; she pulled her arms up to wrap around his neck and pull his lips down to her's again—pressing her pink tongue past his lips and into the cavern of his mouth. Carefully she scrapped her teeth along his tongue, pulling it into her and drawing it in with her full lips; all the while her hips making subconscious rolls against him without her even realizing it. Kakashi cupped the cheek of her leg that was wrapped around him, dark eyes glittering as he thrust up hard into her; warranting a heavy gasp of surprise from Sakura. The motion caused a pulse of electricity of shock itself at the point of contact, and she could feel her wetness soaking through her thin shorts. The force behind it was just hard enough, and at the angle of which he was doing it at just right enough; that she felt the pressure of pleasure over her clit. She ran one hand down his torso hungrily, moving to shove it under his shirt when he gently placed her leg down and ran soothing circles on the tops of her shoulders to digress her. Sakura scowled, thoroughly irritated with this man.
As soon as it started, it was over.
Kakashi leaned back, seemingly satisfied with whatever expression was on Sakura's face, "If you need me for anything, don't hesitate to call."
"I need you for something..." she grunted, tugging the shirt over her pubic area. "You're being unfair. You said no heavy petting." She was practically pouting. Sakura never pouts, for anything in her life—let alone a man.
Christ, she had it real bad.
Kakashi shrugged, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I am doing my duty as a partner to make sure that my woman feels good—it's medical."
Sakura rolled her eyes, "My ass it's medical."
He smiled, twin rows of pearly teeth reveling themselves wolfishly, "I'll be back by six." He kissed her on the lips once more, chaste and sweet, before exiting the room; leaving Sakura still heated and needing.