Chapter 6: Aftermath

She felt like her head was going to split in two. When she first woke up she was disoriented, and the headache was only a dull ache at first. But as she was granted more awareness the pain soon became unbearable.

'Dear god, how much did I drink last night?' She thought miserably to herself. She'd never felt so terrible after a night of drinking, not even when she turned 18. She tried to remember just how many shots of sake she consumed but it was a blur. Clearly, more than enough to feel like complete shit. She felt her stomach turn unpleasantly and she quickly made her way to the bathroom.

When she collapsed back on her bed 10 minutes later, she noticed a few pills and a glass of water set on her nightstand. 'That's odd, how did I have the foresight to do that last night,' she wondered to herself in confusion. She sent healing chakra to her temples to take the edge off her headache and sighed in relief as the pain slowly dispelled. After consuming the pills and water she was finally able to focus better. She jumped in alarm as she realized someone was in her apartment. It was Kakashi, and he wasn't trying to hide his presence at all. She heard him bustling around in her kitchen as if it was a normal occurrence.

What the hell?! She tried to recall the prior night, but everything was fuzzy. She remembered Ino egging her on when they first got to the bar, and they had a few rounds of shots. She remembered the alcohol making her feel relaxed, which she hadn't felt in a while, so was eager to indulge in more than she normally would. She was finally able to place Kakashi at the bar at some point and her going up to him. She blushed in chagrin as she realized she definitely flirted a bit, which she was prone to doing after consuming one too many alcoholic beverages. The images of them dancing together came back to her, blurry, as if looking at a mirky pond's reflection, but unmistakable.

She tried desperately to recollect what came after that. Flashbacks of her apartment were penetrating her mind. Did she invite him inside with her or did he follow her in? She couldn't remember…

And suddenly, one particular memory hit her like a kunai. He took off his mask, after she asked him to. The details of his face escaped her consciousness, but she still had the feeling his bare face evoked swimming at the forefront of her mind. She remembered thinking he was beautiful, exceptionally so, even if she couldn't picture his face unmasked now.

'Did I try and kiss him?! This can't be happening, there's no way I would do such an asinine thing!' But even as she thought that she vaguely remembered pressing lips to him. 'No, I had to have dreamed that, even drunk I wouldn't do that,' she reasoned to herself frantically. She knew she could be foolish when it came to good looking men – Sasuke was a big example of that. But that was years ago when she was a child. As an adult woman she wasn't nearly as preoccupied with aesthetics. She could acknowledge when a man was good looking of course, but they could never be attractive enough for her to lose all sense of reason. Or at least, sober Sakura had those convictions.

'Apparently plastered Sakura is a right hussy!' I can't believe I was that intoxicated that I would ever believe it was a good idea to flirt with Kakashi. Kakashi, the deranged sadist who she ascertained was unstable firsthand. Kakashi, her sensei and captain who was years older than her. Kakashi, the man who's the eternal bachelor of the Leaf Village and definitely didn't do romantic relationships. Kakashi, the same guy who's been possessive and controlling, and frankly unbearable when it came to her lately. The same Kakashi she was eager to get away from after returning home. 'I gave my first kiss to Kakashi?!'

'It doesn't count, I can't even remember it! I was out of my mind,' she thought stubbornly to herself. She realized she needed to escape this situation immediately. She wasn't ready to face him, and somehow, she knew she made things infinitely worse for herself when it came to him. She doubted he was wasted like she was. Kakashi didn't drink enough to impact his reactions, he was paranoid like that. If anything, he was likely stone-cold sober throughout the entire ordeal.

She started to stealthily move toward her window. She only had a moment to try and get out before he was the wiser. She was a few feet away… she had her hand on the latch to the window… she was almost there… Just as she was about to pop it open and jump out, he called out to her.

"Sakura, are you awake? I made breakfast," he said in a chipper voice as she heard him walking toward the bedroom door. 'Shit!' There was no way she'd make it out now.

"Uh yeah, just a minute!"

She ran back to her bathroom to splash cold water on her face. She looked a mess honestly. Her skin was dull, and her pink hair was sweaty and plastered unattractively to the sides of her face. She tied it up quickly in a bun on top of her head. She noticed she still wore the same revealing clothes from last night and her boobs were almost popping out of the top. After changing into much more appropriate clothing, that showed absolutely nothing, she steeled herself to face him.

She opened her door and almost ran back into her room at the sight of him leaning against her wall a few feet away. "Yo." His mask was in place and his eye crinkled briefly in the hint of a smile. He looked normal… his usual laidback countenance in place. She couldn't read anything from his expression.

"I made eggs, I'm sure you're hungry." As she moved toward him, she felt his hand come lightly on the small of her back, guiding her to her kitchen table. The touch was casual, but it still took everything in her not to flinch. He set a plate in front of her, and she felt his heavy gaze on her as she attempted to eat a few bites. He wasn't eating of course but it didn't appear he was leaving in a hurry either.

"I uh, I'm hungover," she supplied lamely after a few minutes of silence. She cringed inwardly at herself.

"I can imagine, you must have drank a lot last night. The eggs will help."

"Um, what are you doing here?" She bravely asked.

"I told you I'd sleep on the couch." She honestly didn't remember him saying that, but that explained his presence here. "Why would you do that? It wasn't necessary."

"Nonsense, it wasn't a problem. You weren't exactly coherent, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Well thanks Kakashi-sensei." She didn't have the nerve to confront him, to see if he would be forthcoming about what happened. If he thought she didn't remember anything maybe he'd leave it be. She still felt him watching her.

"You don't need to call me sensei when we're alone." She froze because such a simple statement wasn't so simple. The implications of it, as if they had a different relationship than what they did, weren't lost on her.

"I couldn't do that, you're my superior." She looked up briefly to survey him lounging across from her at the table. He was slouching and she noticed he was wearing the same clothes from last night. The dark shirt cut off halfway down his biceps and she couldn't help but notice the definition of his arms. His face showed a hint of amusement, and she quickly lifted her eyes from him.

"But after last night, I feel we're past the formalities, don't you Sakura?" His voice had a teasing edge to it.

"I, I don't know what you mean. I don't really remember last night."

"You must recall some of it or you wouldn't be so nervous." She tensed at his observation. "We're too clever for this Sakura."

"I was completely hammered; I don't remember that much." He stared at her unimpressed. "Alright, I know I flirted with you a bit and we danced. I'm sorry. I can be completely out of character when I'm inebriated," she forced out reluctantly.

"That's all?"

"Is there more to it?" She hoped her poker face would fool him.

"Hmm." She couldn't tell if he thought she didn't have any recollection of kissing him, or if he just wouldn't press the issue for now.

"So, like I said, I'm sorry for going over the line. I hope we can just forget about it. Okay, Kakashi-sensei?" She purposely kept the honorific on his name, to silently hint she wasn't interested in changing the dynamic of their relationship.

"I told you, I'm not a man you can play games with."

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean," he admonished.

She shouldn't have teased him, drunk or not. He wasn't a boy that would back off in disappointment if she said she didn't mean anything by it. He was a man, a dark and dominant man, who never heard the word 'no' spoken to him. She was in over her head.

"I was drunk Kakashi-sensei," she reminded him softly.

"I'm aware." He got up to stand over her in a completely domineering way. "But you still gave me a taste of you."

"It was a mistake." He caged her in her chair at those words, so she knew that was the wrong thing to say to him.

"Mistake huh?" His eye was narrowed in his irritation. "That's not a mistake you can make with me." She was more than aware of that now. She wanted to kick her intoxicated self down a mountain at this point.

"I, I'm not what you're looking for sensei. I'm sorry about last night, but you're after the wrong girl."

"Oh? What makes you say that?" He was playing with the hair that escaped her bun as he loomed over her.

"I don't do one-night stands," she explained. She wasn't in denial anymore. It was clear he wanted to fuck her; she could read the desire on his face. She thought it may have simply been him seeing her as 'his' in a twisted way, but there was no refuting he wanted her, in that way, now.

He laughed at that, and she wondered what was so funny. "I don't think one night with you will…" He trailed off at the knock on her door. What was he about to say? He didn't think one night with her will what?!

"Sakura, it's me! Open up, please!" Ino yelled.

She looked at Kakashi with wide eyes as he looked over her shoulder in irritation. "You have to leave, Ino can't see you here," she whispered.

"Hm."

She thought he was going to listen to her, but then he went to open the door, and she watched her friend's face morph into shock at the sight of him.

"Uh hi, I'm looking for Sakura," Ino managed. Her eyes darted around him to where Sakura sat. She turned red in humiliation because she could see where her friend's thoughts were going. Her obliterated last night, Kakashi coming home with her, and clearly spending the night since he's still here. The implications wrote themselves.

"She's right here." He gestured behind him at her. Sakura slowly made her way over and Kakashi put his arm around her shoulders. She squirmed in discomfort because the possessiveness of the action was apparent. He was daring Ino to say something about it. Ino was blushing and looking at the ground. She tried to move but his arm tightened around her imperceptibly.

"Are you ready to go Sakura? I can wait if you need to get ready."

Go where? She had no idea her and Ino had plans today. She looked at her questioningly and Ino gave her a pointed look. 'Oh.'

"Um almost, let me just shower and dress, okay? You can come in, Kakashi-sensei was just leaving."

"Yes, I was," he finally said. She breathed a sigh of relief he was going to leave willingly. "I will see you later Sakura, won't I." It wasn't stated as a question.

"Of, of course," she bit out hesitantly. He removed his arm and stroked a finger down her cheek, before walking past Ino without any further acknowledgement.

Ino watched him leave before turning to her expectantly.

"Listen, it's not what it looks like. Nothing really happened."

"Oh really?" Ino shut the door and turned to her. "Because from what I remember last night, you practically sat in his lap and flirted with him at the bar. Your sensei! And then, he basically threatened me when I tried to take you away from him. And after that you dirty danced with him and then disappeared! And I couldn't do anything about it! I know you were drunk, but what were you thinking? And he's so possessive of you, I don't know how you don't see it?!"

Ino finally ran out of steam as she yelled at her. She couldn't blame her for being upset and she wasn't mad at her for letting her leave with Kakashi. What was Ino supposed to do when the Copy Ninja tells her to back off?

"I, I have no idea what I was thinking Ino, I really don't. I was smashed and I, I honestly have no excuse. And he somehow managed to come home with me, but I promise, I didn't sleep with him."

"Did you do anything else? Did he try anything?"

"Well, I mean, I may have kissed him for a few moments. But no tongue or anything!"

"Sakura! You mean to tell me you gave your first kiss to him?"

"I, well it doesn't really count right? I barely remember doing it and I would never have with him normally."

"Forehead, you're in trouble... He's dangerous! I saw it firsthand how controlling he was. It was like you belonged to him, the way he looked at you last night."

"I know, alright! He's more dangerous than you know. And I get it now, he definitely wants to have sex with me. I just have to make it clear to him I'm not interested."

Ino watched her stomp away to shower in disbelief. There's no way that's all it was. His intentions were deeper than that when it came to her pink-haired friend. He scared away that guy who was asking Sakura out at breakfast. If he just wanted to sleep with her, why would he care about her going out with other men? And last night, he only had eyes for her. He was attractive and ridiculously powerful; he could have almost any woman he wanted if it was just about sex. Why would he be interested in entangling himself with Sakura, his teammate and student, if that's all he wanted. Sakura, the hopeless romantic, who was blatantly a relationship-type of girl. It was more than that, it had to be.

He was also frightening. He had no interest in her protests when she tried to get Sakura away from him last night. He wasn't a man that could be controlled by anyone. And a man like that was going to be a problem if he set his sights on someone. She had a feeling Sakura could tell him no, with a punch to the face, and that wouldn't deter him. 'No' wasn't a word in Kakashi's vocabulary. If he wanted something, Ino was afraid he'd get it by any means necessary. Sakura's drunk actions last night, and kissing him, probably set his plans in motion sooner than expected. He wasn't going to leave her alone now…

She was certainly seeing a lot more of him as he promised. For the last couple of days, he's been everywhere she went. When she was at the market with Ino, he was there. Casually 'bumping' into her and then tagging along with them as they shopped. When she was eating at Ichiraku with Naruto, he happened to be there of course, and decided to join them.

She also noticed any restraint he may have had about taking liberties, as far as personal space goes, was rapidly diminishing. It was subtle touches so far. In the market he kept a hand lightly on her back. With Naruto, his thigh pressed into hers and he would lay a hand on her arm. Nothing inappropriate per say, nothing over the line, but the touching was purposeful. Naruto didn't comment on it, but she noticed the worry etched into his face. In training, he was worse. Constantly stepping behind her to position her better for kunai throwing exercises, even though he knew perfectly well she didn't need direction. Running his hands down her face lightly, it was all too much.

She went to get some Dango today and of course, there he was, again.

"Yo, funny seeing you here Sakura!" He plopped down at the seat across from her, her second dango ball halfway in her mouth. She chewed it in frustration as his stupid eye crinkled in amusement at her. She felt his foot bumping against hers lightly under the table, repeatedly. She wasn't sure if she could really call him out on the touching. Because if she confronted him about it, that could lead to a conversation, a conversation she didn't want to have. But ignoring it wasn't an effective strategy either. She watched him brush a finger over the corner of her mouth that had a bit of glaze, before pulling back and sucking it obscenely.

"Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here? You don't even like Dango."

"Me? I'm spending time with my favorite kunoichi." The flirting…that was another thing he's been doing. She rolled her eyes but didn't comment further. She saw him get out his book and she couldn't help but say, "you're really reading your porn right now?"

"It's not porn, it's an adult masterpiece."

"Bullshit."

"Don't knock it until you try it."

"That will never happen."

He laughed and kept reading, though his foot was resting against hers now. It was strange, how normal he was now. Well, normal for him at least. He was the infuriating, annoying, carefree sensei she's always known. Minus the flirting and touching, but still. There were no signs of that inner darkness she knew he had. She also wasn't sure what his game was. He wanted her, sure, but he hasn't even tried kissing her yet. It was all incredibly strange.

"Sakura! Long time no see!" She looked as Kiba entered the Dango shop.

"Hey Kiba, how are you?" He stood next to where she sat, and he nodded at Kakashi before he started talking with her. He was always a bit flirtatious, but completely harmless. He was much more into Ino than her, of course, but he still couldn't help himself. If there was a woman that was reasonably attractive and unattached, he laid on the charm. After a few minutes she noticed Kakashi was tense, unbearably so. He clearly didn't like to be ignored. When Kiba went to touch her he spoke, "I'd keep your hand to yourself I were you, or you'll lose it."

Kiba jumped back as he looked between her and Kakashi carefully. Kakashi didn't yell or even move when he said it, and his tone was one someone would use to make small talk.

"Don't listen to him, he's just cranky." Sakura gave Kakashi a warning stare and he looked at her impassively.

"I don't make empty threats," Kakashi spoke again. His entire aura was threatening, so much that even relatively oblivious Kiba picked up on it and moved back a few feet.

"Am I missing something? Are you guys..." He trailed off, but what he was asking was clear.

"No!" She nearly yelled at him. "We're definitely not."

Kiba was unsure as he looked at Kakashi's intimidating stare and then back to Sakura. "Could you excuse us Kiba? I have to talk with my sensei, it was lovely seeing you," she supplied.

He nodded weakly before watching her get up and Kakashi moving to follow her. As he passed him his stare made him shiver. He was so cold; it was like he was looking at his death. Whatever was going on there, he wasn't going to push his luck. The Copy Ninja could kill him before he could even blink. Sakura was cute, but not cute enough to tempt fate.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snarled as she rounded on him. His face displayed complete disinterest, which incensed her even more.

"Stop butting in, I can talk to whomever I want! Besides, Kiba is innocuous."

"I was simply giving him some friendly advice."

"It wasn't appreciated."

"Oh?"

"Stop acting like I belong to you!" He smirked at that but didn't respond. "You can't threaten to hurt anyone in the village, aren't you supposed to behave here? What will The Hokage think?"

He looked at her darkly before answering, "I don't care. What is she going to do about it?" She took in his face and realized he wasn't bluffing.

Her chakra rose and formed around her fist. She wanted to hit him. His complete disregard for others was destroying her patience.

"I wouldn't, Sakura," after he noticed her intent. She didn't listen and swung, putting all her power behind it. He dodged, like the bastard he was, so she brought a chakra-infused foot up as well to kick him. His hand caught her ankle as it sailed toward him. One minute she was facing him, and the next he had her face pressed against the side of a building. She thrashed like a wild animal, but his grip was iron. How was he so much stronger than her, even with her strength? She bashed her head back against his, and he growled, but his hold didn't weaken.

"Let go of me!"

"You really like to test my control, don't you?" He was pressed against her, his head resting on top of hers. That was when she felt it…. him against her, hard.

"You're getting off on this?" She yelled in disbelief.

"Immensely."

"Let go, you're disgusting!"

"I told you, I don't take orders, not even from you."

"Unhand me!"

"No, that definitely wasn't a request." He started peppering kisses along the side of her face and she froze. He wasn't listening, and she couldn't overpower him. Even on her best day, she couldn't put a scratch on him.

"Kakashi, stop."

"Better, but there's still a commanding tone," he whispered mockingly. He got to her neck, and she felt the tip of his tongue on her skin. She needed to stop him.

"Please, Kakashi, let me go," she begged, swallowing her pride.

"Do you know how tempting you are?" His lips tickled her neck as he said it. He pressed a kiss to the hollow of her throat and her pulse sped up. This wasn't good at all.

"Kakashi, I want to go home." She felt him sigh heavily before finally giving her space. 'Thank god,' she thought.

"I did tell you before I'd give you some time," he said ambiguously. She still had no idea what he meant by that… She turned and looked him in the eye, and she could see the dark desire reflected at her. She was lucky he showed restraint and stopped when she asked.

"My patience isn't limitless Sakura. If he tries to touch you again, I'll kill him," he promised.

"It was just Kiba! He wasn't even…" but he interrupted her, "I don't care for your excuses. Be sure to make that clear to him, or I will."

He was willing to kill Kiba, harmless Kiba, for what? For trying to touch her? Did his possessiveness know no bounds?

"Sensei, why are you doing all this?" He didn't respond and she decided to elaborate. "You know the type of girl I am. I don't have casual sex."

"I'm aware of what you're like Sakura."

"So then, why? You know I'm not just going to…. fuck you?" It was crude but it got her point across. There was nothing polite about what was happening here.

He smirked, "I know. If I can be honest, the anticipation will make it all the better when you do eventually 'fuck' me," he responded, throwing her choice word back at her.

"You're misunderstanding me Kakashi-sensei."

"No, I'm not," he said firmly.

What did he mean he's not? He was implying they were in some twisted game of cat and mouse, but she was a romantic to the core. She could never give herself to someone she wasn't in a relationship with. Why didn't he see that?

"I want to take you on that date tomorrow, Sakura."

"You… what?" She must have misheard him.

"Haven't you been repeatedly saying you want to go on a date this year?"

"Well yes, but…" She didn't mean him was left unspoken.

"I wish to take you on it."

"Why?!" She was at a loss at how taking her on a date would help him get in her pants.

"Well obviously I have to woo you, don't I? Aren't dates part of the courting process?"

"This is, you're going through a lot of trouble just to sleep with me," she managed to stutter. "I already told you I'm not going to. There's plenty of much prettier kunoichi in the village if you're this horny."

"Sakura, quit being obtuse, it doesn't suit you. I have never taken a woman on a date before this."

She couldn't think of anything to say, her mouth felt incredibly dry actually. None of this was making sense.

"I'll come and get you at 7'oclock tomorrow night. Wear a dress." He pressed a kiss to her hand but didn't wait for a response before flickering out of sight. Could she even tell him no?

She started hyperventilating on the street because she somehow, someway, had a date with Kakashi. The elusive Copy Ninja who has never been involved with a woman before. No one has ever even seen him with a woman in public. The anxiety was building in her because she was starting to grasp it now. It took her a little bit, and who could really blame her for not seeing it? But she was starting to comprehend his intentions. She had a problem, a big problem. Because if he has really decided to pursue her it was bad. If she was special to him, it wasn't flattering, and it definitely didn't bode well for her. She knew he wouldn't take any rejection well, let alone one of that magnitude. She felt the panic attack hitting its peak and the rest of her thoughts evaporated, because she was well and truly fucked.

Poor, poor Sakura. She really can't catch a break lol. She has finally clued in to what Kakashi's doing though. I figured it was about time for her to no longer remain ignorant, because he's getting pretty obvious.

Warning: Kakashi is not 'nice' in this story. He's controlling, violent, and frankly toxic. He has a lot of deep rooted issues, so he isn't going to be 'fluffy' at any point. The end game is them together, but it's a slow burn to the finish line. Sakura hasn't suddenly decided she's going to overlook that he isn't exactly... stable, no matter how sexy he is. This isn't a healthy relationship, he doesn't know how to do that. I still have the laidback and playful elements of his character present, but this is a DARK Kakashi. So, if that isn't your cup of tea don't keep reading. He's going to get worse.

Please review!