Chapter 4: Desire

This chapter has some of Kakashi's POV. This story will mostly be told from Sakura's POV, but once in awhile I think it's nice to get a little insight into what he's thinking!

She never thought of herself as obtuse, but she was completely in the dark as to why Kakashi was acting that way. If it was anyone else, she would understand they were coming on to her – quite boldly at that. But this was Kakashi, and that just wasn't possible. His entire persona was synonymous with the eternal bachelor of the Leaf Village. She heard over the years more than a few women have tried to change that and failed. Women who were far more beautiful and agreeable than herself, not to mention closer to his age. There was no way he'd go for his student over all the other eligible ladies in the village. And she couldn't see him being interested in having casual sex with her either. It was too messy, given the nature of their relationship, and there were much more ideal choices for something like that.

She glanced toward Naruto first, who was looking at her with sympathy. He was uncannily quiet during that entire interaction with Kakashi. She knows now why he's much more subdued with Kakashi, given that dark side of him. But it's almost as if he expects this bizarre behavior from Kakashi toward her. Her eyes fell on Sai who looked completely indifferent.

"Does anyone want to shed some light on what exactly that was? Really, I'm all ears at this point if either of you understood that."

"Not alone are you ugly, you're apparently stupid as well. It's amazing really," Sai said with the fake smile he always wore for social interactions.

Her eye ticked in irritation. She really wasn't in the mood for his annoying jabs at her. "Considering you don't understand people at all, I'm not sure you can insult my intelligence on the matter."

"Don't listen to him Sakura, you're the furthest thing from stupid. You're SO smart."

"Naruto…" She looked at him pointedly.

"Well, you know Kakashi-sensei is protective of you right?"

"That's an understatement but yes, it hasn't escaped my notice."

"Well, there you go!" He replied as if that answered everything.

"That doesn't really explain what that was before. He pulled me on his lap and kissed my forehead Naruto. Does he do that for you too?"

"Well, no, not exactly." Naruto scratched the back of his head in nervousness, and she started losing patience.

"So then what is going on?"

"He's fond of you Sakura-chan."

She stared at Naruto in disbelief because there's no way that behavior just comes down to him being 'fond' of her. It was far more disturbing than that. And what about when he said he won't always let her go? That was both threatening and creepy at the same time. Why couldn't she get any straight answers?

"It's beyond my comprehension, but apparently you're not ugly to everyone," Sai put in.

She started at that and thought it over. Kakashi did say she could use her looks before to get information, so that was acknowledging he found her at least somewhat pretty. Now that she knew about his…issues, maybe he HAS noticed she's grown up. Perhaps he saw her as his in a sense? Not in a romantic way, but simply in a possessive, demented way. That could be why he doesn't want her dating anyone, because they're not good enough for her in his eyes.

"If he thinks he's going to run things he has another thing coming. His creepy behavior isn't going to stop me from living my life."

"Sakura, I don't think you really get it," Naruto said warningly.

"I do get it. He thinks in some twisted way I'm his property, or whatever you want to call it, right?"

"Well, I don't think that's really… exactly it."

"What else could it be Naruto?" Bottomline, Kakashi saw her as a possession to control. It explained everything.

He remained silent in response, and she huffed in annoyance. She needed to make it clear to Kakashi that she wouldn't tolerate this, somehow... She wasn't going to lie to herself and pretend she wasn't a little wary of him; okay maybe more than a little. He was downright scary before and given his tremendous power that was problematic. There was no one to really keep him in line, and even Lady Tsunade could only get him to tone it down back in the village. He did what he wanted without repercussion and a person like that was hard to reason with. Still, she had to say something.

"I'm going to give him a piece of my mind," she stated determinedly.

"Bad idea Sakura!" Naruto admonished her.

"Agreed ugly, I can't see it ending well for you," Sai said stoically.

She ignored them both and went after Kakashi. She was much too obstinate to be sensible sometimes. She couldn't just roll over and allow Kakashi to do whatever he wanted when it comes to her, right?

Kakashi smirked in amusement to himself from where he was above. He was lounging casually on a tree limb, masking his chakra with practiced expertise. He could hear every word of the ridiculous conversation below him. Sakura wasn't an idiot, far from it. Her naivety when it came to him however knew no bounds. She still remained woefully ignorant of his intentions. He thought earlier may have clued her in, but alas, she drew a different conclusion.

He has been her team leader since she was 12, but back then she was nothing but a whiney brat who was entirely mediocre in almost every way. She was intelligent, but she rarely utilized it. She heavily relied on the others to carry her dead weight on the team. She came from a civilian family and should have been working harder than her peers because of that fact, but she lacked discipline. She was weak, frustratingly so. He didn't believe she was cut out for their world, and they had no need for another lackluster kunoichi in their ranks.

When Sasuke left the village all those years ago, he told The Hokage he had no desire to train such a useless girl anymore. He assumed when she heard the news from Tsunade that she would cry and give up on becoming a ninja – a testament to her feeble personality back then. Instead, he was surprised, and he was rarely surprised. Somehow, Sakura convinced Tsunade to take her on as an apprentice and she flourished. She got over her feelings for Sasuke and when she stopped trying to be what she thought he wanted, she came into herself. He was wrong about her, and he fully admitted that.

His feelings for her changed from resentful dislike to approval when she turned 15. She still wasn't where he wanted her to be power-wise, but she had tremendously improved. She was head-strong and quick tempered, but she was also dedicated and fiercely loyal. She was likable to him and became worth protecting. She had a certain innocence about her, which was abnormal for a ninja. So, he attempted to shield her from both himself, and other evil in the world, to preserve it.

Something shifted at some point when she turned 17. He started seeing her in a different light than before. He noticed things about her, miniscule details really. The way her eyes lit up when he praised her during training. How she bit her lip when she was nervous. He noted when she would try and invite him to social outings with the group, despite how annoying she seemed to find him. He found himself enjoying her wit and would purposely banter with her. Her face would flush when she was angry and though she was smart enough not to swing her fists at him often, her other friends couldn't say the same. Those same hands that he had seen heal others from the brink of death effortlessly. She was such a beautiful contradiction, but he still refused to act on his attraction. He was never interested in relationships; they were nothing but a distraction in his eyes. Any lust he had could easily be satisfied with another inconsequential woman for a night. Sakura was off limits for a quick fuck, no matter how alluring she had become. There were plenty of gorgeous women that would be discrete - the ones he chose knew to make themselves scarce afterwards. Sakura couldn't be that for him and so he buried his desire for her.

When she turned 18 earlier this year, however, is when everything dramatically changed. He spotted her at a bar with her friends inebriated, as one would expect. He felt amused watching her dance with her blonde friend, swaying her hips back and forth and grinding on the other girl. He noticed her wearing a much more revealing outfit than he was accustomed to seeing her in. It was a low-cut dark green dress that hugged her figure sinfully, and as she gyrated her hips to the music it rode dangerously high on her thighs. His eyes were glued to her beautiful form as she remained oblivious to his lustful gaze. It wasn't until she turned to make her way back to the bar, for another round of drinks presumably, that she noticed him. He was leaning against a wall, cradling a glass of sake in his hand, and staring at her. She was completely oblivious to her effect on him and skipped up to him in her drunken state with an easy smile.

"Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know, just thought I'd get out and enjoy the scenery."

He remembered how she rolled her eyes and missed the double entendre to his words.

"You know I'm 18 now, which means you need to start treating me like the adult I am. This year is the year you finally allow me on missions with you guys!"

"Is that so Sakura?"

"Do you still see me as a child Kakashi-sensei?" She whined, though the pout to her lips was ridiculously tempting.

"I do not see you as a child Sakura," he said pointedly.

"Well then you'll have to give in, won't you?"

He smirked but didn't reply to her, which made her playfully swat his arm. As they continued to chat, he noticed how she leaned into his personal space and rested her hand on his forearm lightly. In hindsight, she was probably feeling the effects of the alcohol and didn't mean much by it. At the time though he interpreted it as flirting, and he remembered feeling an intense amount of satisfaction at the thought. He noticed before of course how wonderful she smelled, due to him having heightened senses. But at this distance it was even more pronounced; her enticing scent that was lightly floral with a hint of sweetness. It was so uniquely her and it was mouthwatering. His control was starting to slip, and it was only when he saw she sauntered off did he realize she said goodbye to him. He would have left the bar at that point and found someone to sake the lust that was flooding his system. He would have if it wasn't for what he saw next.

He wasn't the only man who noticed the appeal Sakura presented and one was finally bold enough to approach her. He was no one important, not even a jonin. But he saw Sakura's warm reception to him and saw red. The darkness that he normally kept at bay in the village was rising to the surface, calling for blood. He saw him put an unworthy hand on her waist and the glass he held broke in his palm. How dare he touch her? He would have killed him right in front of her, and everyone there, if he didn't move away from her. He guessed he offered to get her another drink because he watched him head in his direction, a grin on his face. Kakashi stepped in front of him, looking positively lethal. The man recognized him of course; his reputation preceded him. He smugly noted the smile slowly dwindle.

"H..hello. You're Kakashi of the Sharingan." He greeted nervously.

"If you touch what is mine again, I'll kill you," he promised.

"Yours?" The man questioned, looking confused. Kakashi's gaze drifted over to Sakura and his followed it. His eyes widened when he saw whom he meant.

"That's right, mine," he growled.

"I… I didn't realize! I didn't know she belonged to you!"

"Let this serve as a reminder to you." He moved and had the hand that touched Sakura in his, while his other covered the pitiful man's mouth as he shattered every bone. The screams were drowned out by the music and Kakashi's gloved hand.

"Make no mistake, if you forget what I said, your death won't be quick."

He knew it wasn't an idle threat and quickly nodded his head to show he understood. "I won't touch her again; I won't even look at her!"

"Wonderful." He released him and the man hunched over, cradling his hand.

When Sakura looked over the man was already gone. He was smart enough to leave the bar entirely. He noticed the disappointment that clouded her face but was content to see her turn back to her friends. He knew then his attraction to her wasn't as simple as he thought. He couldn't tolerate her being with anyone else, anyone but him.

From that night on it has only gotten worse. Kakashi coveted Sakura to an unhealthy degree. He didn't care what it took, he would have her. And she still had absolutely no idea; it was quite entertaining honestly. He wondered how long he could play with her before she finally clued into what his intentions are.

"Kakashi-sensei! We need to talk now, come down from where you're hiding!"

He dropped in front of her smoothly and noticed her flinch involuntarily at his abrupt appearance.

"Something on your mind Sakura?"

"Yes sensei, there is. What you did before… and what you've been doing… well, it's not okay with me." She bit out, nervousness coloring her tone.

"Enlighten me, what exactly am I doing?" He asked, feigning ignorance.

She seemed to momentarily be at a loss for words that he was forcing her to spell it out.

"You know… treating me like…like a shiny toy or something. You need to stop it."

"Oh? Is that right?"

"I'm serious. I'm sure in your own way maybe you just think you're looking out for me. You're protective of me, and you've always been. But lately, you're going over the line."

He didn't respond but gave her a flat look, which he knew would only increase her ire further.

"Do you understand me?"

"I understand you."

"So, you'll back off then?" She asked, a tiny smile forming on her face at what he supposed she thought was his agreeableness.

"No."

He noticed her chakra beginning to form around her clenched fists at her sides and smirked.

"No? What do you mean no?!"

"I believe it's in response to your question. You asked if I'd 'back off' and I said no."

"You can't… you can't do that. You can't say no." Her voice steadily rising.

"I just did."

He watched as she gaped at him, her face turning red in her anger with him. Her hand raised to presumably smack him.

"Don't," he warned her lowly.

Anyone else would have heeded his warning, but Sakura could be far too stubborn for her own good. He noticed a devious smile cross her face before she smacked her fist at the ground beneath him. It split from the power of her chakra enhanced strength, and he was forced to jump away from the wreckage. He couldn't believe her audacity. Her cocky smile was wiped off her face when he had her pinned to a tree by her arms.

"Such impudence Sakura."

She tried in vain to escape his grasp as she felt the bark of the tree dig into her forearms. He was such a controlling asshole, and she couldn't stop herself from provoking him. Who did he think he was, her father? Scratch that, no father figure would touch her the way Kakashi has… When he said he wouldn't stop so matter-of-factly, as if her opinion wasn't even in consideration?

"I'm not challenging you as my captain sensei. But, outside of missions you can't dictate my life. You CAN'T. I don't belong to you." There, sweet and to the point.

She couldn't tell what he was thinking at all by his face. He still hadn't released her and if she didn't know any better, he seemed to be breathing in her scent? She watched him lean closer to her until he was nuzzling the side of her head lightly.

"You're wrong Sakura," he murmured into her hair.

Before she could respond to his bold claim she froze at his next action. He looked at her in that odd way of his, the one that made her dreadfully uncomfortable. Such an intense stare, and it felt wrong that it was directed at her. And then, he looked as if he were going to kiss her. She felt the breath she took get caught in her throat. There was no way? There was no explanation for why he would do such a thing! She gulped as he continued to lean in and just as he was about to reach her shocked mouth, his masked lips moved ever so slightly to the left. She felt his warm breath where he still pressed softly to her skin. He straightened up and she noticed his eye was dancing with wicked amusement. He did that on purpose?! Was he teasing her, kissing that close to her lips without actually making contact? It didn't seem like something he would do, but she could tell it was intentional by his face.

"What… what are you doing?" She questioned, afraid of the answer. She felt his grip relax and she started sliding down the trunk of the tree before she caught herself.

"Showing you that you're wrong."

"I… Kakashi please, stop." Stop what exactly, even she wasn't sure anymore.

"You know, ever since I was young, I always made sure I achieved all my goals. I'm sure you can understand that about me now."

'Okay? Why was he telling her this? What did it have to do with anything right now?' She thought to herself.

"I find myself in a bit of a conundrum when what I want is a bit unorthodox, for me at least. Do you see what I mean?"

No… she really had no idea what he meant or what on earth he could be talking about.

"Sensei, I really don't understand?"

"I know you don't, I'll give you some time. I do want you to be happy Sakura, believe it or not."

She looked at him in disbelief because he was not making any sense.

"But make no mistake, I will get what I want, regardless." He stated, a dark look adorning his face. He gave her one last unreadable glance before leaving her to return to his watch.

Her mind was reeling as she made her way back to camp. That conversation didn't go the way she thought at all. She should have expected his blatant refusal to back off like she asked, but the rest of it just had her more confused. Why did he almost kiss her? The first time he kissed her on the forehead was already strange. She assumed he did it to be mocking, since he was hell-bent on dominating her life. But then, this time? Was he doing it to play with her? Maybe he found it amusing to fuck with what he saw as his little toy? He was trying to get her flustered and confused?

'Or maybe, he just wants to fuck you,' her own conscious whispered to her deridingly.

Could that really be it? Kakashi, who was notable for his discretion when it came to his private affairs, lusted after her? That couldn't be right, could it? It's not as if she was under the illusion that he would find sleeping with her a sordid affair. It was just the complications that would come along with it. For someone who values their privacy as much as him it wasn't a smart decision. Unless he's grown far too reckless that he's bored and just doesn't care if it's messy. Judging by what she's seen so far that shouldn't surprise her. But still, she didn't see why he would want her.

"Sakura-chan, how um, well, are you okay?" Naruto asked when she drifted back to him and Sai.

She nodded but didn't try to verbalize anything. How could innocent Naruto help her with this? There's no way he'd know if it really is Kakashi's intent to sleep with her.

"You look even uglier than normal when you have that look on your face," Sai put in callously.

She looked at him, from his emotionless face to his little fake smile. Sai wasn't the most tactful of her friends, that was abundantly clear. He didn't feel reservations about holding himself back in any social situation. She wondered if he'd have any insight for her when it came to Kakashi.

"Sai, can I…can I ask you something?"

He looked at her expectantly, his hand paused in its strokes on his artbook.

"You obviously have gone on plenty of missions at this point with Kakashi-sensei. Have you ever had another female on the team? You know, for a mission?"

"A few times, though I'm not sure one or two of them even count as a female."

She ignored the last comment and continued, "Has Kakashi ever attempted to have sexual…relations with any of them before?"

"Not that I knew of."

"Do you think Kakashi-sensei would be interested in that with me?"

"You're asking if he would fornicate with you?"

"Yes," she said, feeling her face heat from her blush.

"All his behavior so far indicates he would. Do you really need it spelled out for you ugly?"

"Yes, I do! Because it's Kakashi-sensei and that just shouldn't even be on the table! On top of him being my captain, he's not exactly normal, is he?! He gets off on blood!"

"He would also like to get off on you." She would have thought he was trying to make a joke, if it wasn't for the fact he had no sense of humor.

"Sakura-chan, you need to be careful. Kakashi-sensei isn't…well," Naruto trailed off unhelpfully.

"I was there Naruto! I saw how demented he was!" She scoffed heatedly, as if she needed reminding.

"Then Sakura-chan, you should know he doesn't see things the way you and I do. You can't fuck around with him."

"I was NOT planning to sleep with him Naruto, thank you very much. Even if he does want me, he must know I would never go for it!"

She still stubbornly refused to believe this was really his intentions. She was far more inclined to think this was all an elaborate scheme to fuck with her mind because he's bored. Bored and sees her as a toy, like the psycho that he was.

Naruto was worried for her because she really wasn't getting it. It was like she wanted to put her head in the sand. He knew for a fact this wasn't a sick game he was playing with her. He has worked with him long enough to pick up on a few things.

This wasn't a casual whim of his. Kakashi would kill for Sakura. He knew Kakashi had no qualms about killing anyone that stood in his way on a mission, but this was a bit different. Naruto never saw him so much as look at another woman with desire before Sakura. He hoped he would hide it from her, knowing how wonderful Sakura was and how terrible he could be. For a while it seemed like he would, but it looks as if Kakashi has decided. He was going to have her, and Naruto didn't think anyone, even Sakura herself, was going to stop him in the end.

So, Sakura is catching on... sort of. She's getting there at least, but denial is a powerful thing lol. Please review and let me know what you think. This is also posted on A03 as well :)