Disclaimer: I do not Own Naruto or any of the aspects of Naruto mentioned in the fic.
Warning: Rated M for language, violence, lemon (later in the fic)
If you're too young to view this kinda material, leave or keep very, very quiet ;)
Also if you do not like KakashixSakura or hints of SasukexSakura - don't read :)
ENJOY~ x
Ookami Han'i
"Are you alright now?" Kakashi asked quietly, stroking her hair soothingly. Sakura had remained glued to him since her episode. It was nearing midday and Kakashi was eager to be off, they had lost a lot of time today.
"Mmhmm." Sakura nodded stiffly against his chest.
"Okay then," Kakashi said softly, "I'm going to stand up now, just extend your legs slowly." Kakashi held her against him firmly, he pulled his knees up slowly tucking Sakura up onto his lap. Kakashi smiled as he noticed her relax slightly. Slowly he rocked himself on the balls of his feet and stood, Sakura's legs stretched out gingerly to the floor. Sore limbs straining painfully.
"I'm so sorry, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura whispered hoarsely, disentangling her stiff fingers from the soft material that lay under flak jacket. She had somehow managed to snake her hands inside through the sleeves.
"Don't, tomorrow night will be better I promise." Kakashi's eye crinkled, indicating his smile.
"I know it will," Sakura winced as she stretched herself out. Sending a series of snaps and cracks throughout her joints. "Thanks." she smiled softly.
"I'd be a pretty shocking teacher if I didn't look after my old students, no matter how much they've grown." Kakashi shrugged.
"You are a pretty shocking teacher..." Sakura mumbled to herself, stooping down groggily. She began to roll up her bed and pack up the tea set, her movements slow and halting. She smiled as she tucked her Icha Icha novel into her back pouch. She turned to see Kakashi with his nose buried in his Icha Icha novel.
Typical, hiding from the rest of the world in his book. We're not so different after all... Sakura smiled, it was almost endearing how similar they were.
Sakura shook her head, dispelling the thought, it was stupid.
"Ready?" She asked almost impatiently. She had donned her pack and stood over Kakashi, arms folded loosely across her chest.
"Hai, hai..." Kakashi flipped a page, not moving from where he was nestled at the base of a pine tree, "I've almost finished this chapter..."
Sakura tugged at the book with her deft hands, "Let go or I'll tell you what happens, every. Gory. Detail." Sakura's jade eyes glowing with menace.
"You wouldn't dare?" Kakashi hissed hatefully.
"Oh I would, I've read it enough to even quote it." Sakura snickered softly.
"Okay okay! Lets go!" Kakashi yelped, "Dirty tricks..." He huffed and looked up at the now greying sky. "It's going to rain later, we should try and stop off in a town tonight," Kakashi spoke out vacantly, as if talking to himself.
"There's a small market town only slightly out of our way and we could get there at around lunch, it would take us a day from there to get to the farm." Sakura had whipped out her map and was pouring over it, working out all the specifics.
"Lets go then!" Kakashi chimed, his deep drawl contented.
"Hai Sensei!" Sakura chimed back happily. Sakura loved how he could distract her with his little quirks. He may be one of the deadliest Shinobi out there but he wasn't half cute.
Cute. The word rolled around in Sakura's brain. It's been a while since I've called him that. Sakura thought, nostalgia warming her insides.
Sakura shook her head and smiled, It's nothing, just comfort, he was there for you last night, that is all.
Sakura and Kakashi travelled along the dusty road in silence, beginning as they had the day before, Kakashi pawing through the novel, little giggles emitting from his masked mouth.
"You sound like Ino-Pig when she's trying to flirt with guys." Sakura broke the silence, smiling pleasantly.
"I'm sorry?" Kakashi's eye flicked to his right, questioning pools of swirling darkness.
"Those little giggles you make!" Sakura rolled her eyes.
"What giggles?" Kakashi was deadly serious, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Wait, you never noticed?" Sakura held her hand to her mouth to suppress the bubble of laughter, threatening to escape.
"You're joking right?" Kakashi asked, mortified.
"Why would I lie?" Sakura exclaimed, hilarity getting the better of her.
"Well, no more reading for me it seems!" Kakashi began to tuck his book away when Sakura caught his hand.
"I didn't say it was a bad thing!" She protested, feeling bad about what she had said.
"You said I sound like Ino-san when she flirts, how is that a good thing?" Kakashi eyed her challengingly.
"Well...Uh...it isn't..." Sakura finished lamely. Feeling like a total idiot.
"I guess I never could teach you the art of tact." Kakashi chuckled, a young sound coming from such a wizened man.
"Oh really?" Sakura grumbled, "Doesn't seem like you have much yourself!" Sakura pouted and let go of his wrist. Feeling severely childish, this man was a bad influence.
"That's why I could never teach you." Kakashi countered slyly, opened his book and stuck his fee hand in his pocket.
"Whatever." Sakura shrugged and stormed off ahead, feeling foolish.
"Women." Kakashi shook his head and latched his eyes onto the perverted text in front of him.
Sakura simply sighed and continued on, there was something wrong about the atmosphere, something out of place. After an hour of walking she finally realised what it was. There wasn't even a hint of birdsong in the air. Not a caw, tweet, cry or even flutter of the obvious Spring symphony.
"Kakashi-sensei..." Sakura turned to see the silver haired Jonin looking up from his book, "Do you feel it too?" Sakura had unintentionally lowered her voice, afraid to break the silence.
"I do, don't linger on it." Kakashi's voice was equally quiet, like the air was dense with tension.
"But-" Sakura's tone was verging on hysterical, she was deathly afraid of seeing that thing again. She was sure that was what triggered those unpleasant memories.
"Sakura trust me, we're being watched, lets get to the town, no breaks, just keep going." Kakashi closed his book slowly his tone subtly warning her, trying not to draw attention to their presence.
Sakura swallowed with difficulty, her throat suddenly parched, her palms became sweaty and her legs were leaden.
"Trust me, lets just keep going, I promise I will protect you." Kakashi's tone warmed, soothing Sakura's nerves fractionally.
"Right. Let's go." Sakura lifted her chin and set off at a strengthened pace, trying to get as much distance between her and that thing.
~##~
They arrived at the small town of Ookami Han'i just as the sun had set, bathing the small streets in the burning azure glow of bracketed torches. The village was constructed like a compound, two reinforced walls circled the small village. There were two entrances, the one to the North, where Sakura and Kakashi were at the moment, and the one in the South. Both were black, looming wrought iron gates that stood over ten metres tall, the same height as the sandy outer wall. The inner wall was smooth black granite and the gates were simple, thick wooden doors controlled through guards on watch towers. They channelled their chakra into the gears and switches that ran the length of the hollow granite walls. Though hollow the walls were reinforced with pillars of a steel, titanium alloy. Making the small village within impregnable.
Sakura and Kakashi were met at the main gate by two heavily armed guards, both garbed in full Samurai armour, even fronted helmets, with gleaming silver daisho sword pairs, hanging at their sides. Bows were slung to their backs with bulging quivers,in their hands were silver topped Jumonji Yari, which glinted ethereally in the azure torchlight, they were far too heavily armed for these times of peace.
"Yo!" Kakashi called jovially. "Expecting an attack?" Kakashi dropped the act once their spears crossed, barring the wrought iron grating behind them.
"Show us your necks." The left guard grunted gruffly in an unusually feminine voice. The flickering lighting and excessive amount of armour had deceived Sakura into thinking they were both male.
"Our necks?" Sakura's face screwed up in confusion.
"Yes." The right guard confirmed, a masculine voice this time.
"Why our necks?" Kakashi asked, intrigued.
"Either you show us your necks or we will run you through, now your necks." The female guard had a no nonsense tone.
"Kaka-" Sakura looked up towards the Jonin and froze, Kakashi had dropped his mask and was baring his neck to these complete strangers. Too bad Sakura couldn't see in the low lighting, a perfect opportunity squandered.
"Come on Sakura, do as the woman says." Kakashi droned neutrally, adding a hint of humour to calm Sakura.
Sakura frowned and pulled down the high collar of her flak jacket.
The female guard strode closer, a torch in her hand. "Hold still." She ordered, holding the burning blue flame close to Sakura's rosy locks. Sakura froze, afraid that the flames would singe her skin or her hair. Strangely the blue hued flames were cold, they licked at her skin and her clothes, not damaging a single threat of fabric.
"She's clean." The woman grunted after examining both sides of her neck.
"Sakura turn away," Kakashi commanded gruffly as the woman moved over to him.
"Sensei, I don't think it matters if I see your face, I won't tell Naruto, promise?" Sakura was too close now to be denied the smallest peek at his face.
"No." The single syllable made her visibly flinch. She turned with no further questioning.
"Clean." The woman called to her colleague, "They may enter."
Sakura whirled around, trying to catch the slightest glimpse of his face but as usual he had already pulled it up and was merely adjusting it to his liking.
"God damn you Scarecrow..." Sakura jeered.
"Scarecrow?" Kakashi flicked a lazy eye in her direction.
"Nothing, nothing." Sakura beamed and began to walk towards the towering gates.
"Hold it," The guards crossed their spears, barring entrance, Sakura gave them a questioning look, "Why are you here?" The spears glinted thirstily in the torchlight.
"We are wandering farmers, we are to visit our family South of the village here, our travels have made us weary so we have determined that staying here would be the safest course of action." Kakashi rambled smoothly.
"And her? What is she to you?" The female gestured.
"She, is my fiancée, we are travelling to see my family, so they can approve her." Kakashi responded smoothly.
"Then why did she call you sensei?" The tone was enough to convey the suspicion rippling through both the guard's minds.
"Ah well-" Kakashi began.
"It's a running joke, he's so much older than me you see, he's taught me so much about the wonders of life!" Sakura latched onto his arm, laying it on thick by planting a kiss firmly on his temple, stretching on her tiptoes in the process.
"And the mask comment?" The male guard asked, these guards were far too observant for Sakura's liking.
"Naruto's my little brother and my family traditions dictate that I don't see my fiancé's face until the day of the wedding, crazy I know, but what're you going to do eh? Can't choose your family and all!" Sakura finished, realising she was babbling, hoping to hell and back that it looked like truthful, lovestruck babbling.
"Alright..." The female guard grumbled warily, "But if you cause a single ripple in the society here I will tend to you personally." Her voice pitched up slightly at the last few words, indicating her pleasure in making people suffer.
"Oh, us?" Sakura smiled brightly, "Like we'd do that?" She smiled obtusely.
"Be on your way." The silver spears parted and thumped twice on the baked soil, sending a booming vibration through the very ground beneath them. A few tense moments passed until the two sets of gates opened in sync. Revealing a bustling street, illuminated eerily by the flickering, cold brackets of blue flames. Sakura clasped Kakashi's hand for the show, making it look real. They picked their way through the busy street, dodging the odd horse-drawn wagon. It was obscenely busy considering it was almost nine in the evening.
"What's up with this town?" Sakura whispered to herself mostly.
"I don't know, I need to get us a room, go take a bath, frankly you smell." Kakashi said with all honesty. "Get some food, try and talk to some residents, find out the deal." Sakura nodded, trying to not feel self conscious. She hesitantly released his gloved hand and turned to walk away when a thought hit her.
"Wait, how will I find you?" Sakura turned but he was gone.
Damn you Kakashi. Sakura sighed and wandered the crowded streets. She picked her way to the first bathhouse she could find and paid the lady at the counter, fifty ryo got her a towel, soap and to her absolute ecstasy, a disposable razor. Sakura preferred waxing but a razor was handy in these kind of situations. Chakra blades are useful but are far too risky so Sakura refrained from using them.
"Arigatou!" Sakura chimed happily at the decrepit old woman before skipping off into the female section.
~##~
Sakura plunged her whole body into the streaming water, marvelling at the relief the hot water brought her. She soaked for a good half hour, just letting her tension flow out of her. Eventually she dipped the soap into the hot water, lathering her hands up. When she was satisfied with the amount of suds she slowly scrubbed her arms, working at the aches and pains from her episode. Clutching to Kakashi for over six hours had stiffened her joints to no end. She scrubbed her body until she was relaxed to her absolute maximum. She finally unwrapped the disposable razor and took to wiping her legs clean of the light pink curls, they had reached at least an inch in length. She shaved her pits and trimmed her nether regions. Just as a matter of comfort, nothing like chafe on a mission. Sakura had successfully lost an hour and a half before she decided to search for food. She left the bathhouse, she had tucked her hitai-ite into her backpack and forgone her flak jacket for her simple vest, looking less conspicuous in the sea of civilians. She hid her shuriken belt and her single kunai in the folds of her bed roll and tucked that at the bottom of her pack. If she were to be attacked, chakra would have to suffice.
Kakashi was sat, book in hand on a stone bench in the bathhouse garden. He turned his head to show he had also altered his look. His Sharingan was covered by his mass of silvery hair which had been pushed down by a sugegasa, a high collared jacket covered his face from the nose down. It was a dark, shifting indigo in colour and had golden silk trimmings, the sleeves flowed down past his knuckles, showing a small section of his fingertips, although his one hand was visible due to the Icha Icha in his hand. He wore simple dark trousers that fell to his ankles, plain geta adorned his feet, he had truly blended in.
"Yo!" He called, not removing his uncovered eye from the page.
"How'd you know I was here?" Sakura smiled at his appearance, it was the first time she'd ever seen him dressed so fittingly.
"I'm just lucky I guess." He shrugged and closed his book, tucking it into his pocket under his long jacket.
"Don't bullshit me, come on I'm hungry." Sakura moaned, her stomach pleading with her to listen to it's rumbling complaints.
"Not quite yet, we need to get you blended in!" Kakashi smiled devilishly, Sakura didn't like the sound of this.
"Oh God..."
Sakura shifted uncomfortably in the heavy kimono. It was a startling aquamarine with bright white lily's sprouting in all directions from the Obi tied around her trim waist. The Obi was crimson in colour and had small black birds sewn into the neat bow at the small of her back. She also wore black geta on her feet, which were severely uncomfortable.
How can women bear to wear these things? Sakura asked herself, amused, and by all accounts frustrated, by all the preparation a single piece of clothing took to put on. She shifted the material with fumbling hands, the sleeves of said kimono were far too long. Sakura had to hold up her arms to stop the sleeves from dragging across the ground. All in all it was the least practical outfit for Sakura to be wearing. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe and worst of all she probably would have difficulty eating with the Obi so tight around her waist.
"Ready Sakura my love?" Kakashi crooned from the other side of the paper screen.
"Almost," Sakura paused, remembering she was supposed to be madly in love with this man, "Darling." She added hurriedly.
"That is wonderful! I cannot wait to see my little Cherry Blossom in her new outfit!" Kakashi was starting to make her gag, she knew it was acting but sheesh he knew how to act lovestruck.
"Oh darling you better be taking me somewhere nice to eat, I'm awfully hungry!" And as if to back her up her stomach growled restlessly.
"Don't you worry honey, now come and show your fiancé just how beautiful you are!" Kakashi called, a slight touch of impatience in his voice.
"Just one minute." Sakura called, trying to adjust the slight smudge in her make-up. Sakura hated make-up with an burning passion, but the mission dictated for them to fit in, so she put it on. A base layer of white powder to make her already pale complexion ghostly, rouged lips to show her apparent health. Dark rimmed eyes to define her jade orbs and rosy blush to highlight her healthy cheekbones.
Trash, trash, trash, it's like I'm Ino-Pig on a Saturday night! The way the powder and chemicals clung to her skin foreshadowed the blocked pores and spots she was sure to develop in the next few days.
"Here I am!" Sakura called lovingly as she folded back the paper screen. Revealing Kakashi to be talking feverishly with the shopping assistant. Kakashi's head whipped up and his onyx eye glittered strangely.
"Oh wow." Kakashi's amazement wasn't an act this time, his tone was that of genuine amazement.
"What do you think darling?" Sakura trotted over as gracefully as possible, stumbling only once over the hem of her kimono.
"It's...Wow..." Kakashi lost for words? Sakura was just as amazed as he obviously was with her.
"I am so glad you like it!" Sakura smiled and went to unzip the stiff collar of his silken jacket, indicating she was going to kiss him.
"Oh honey, not in front of people, firstly you're going to ruin those perfectly made up lips," He paused eyeing her threateningly, "I'll show you my appreciation for this later." Kakashi's face crinkled in a smile. One Sakura knew was a warning though it looked nothing of the sort to an oblivious shopkeeper.
"Okay then!" Sakura giggled, holding her hand to her mouth in the traditional way, "Can we go eat now?" Sakura smiled brightly, her eyes closing happily, her mouth hidden behind the ridiculously long sleeve.
"Dinner it is." Kakashi's face crinkled in response, he looped his right arm through her left and led her out, "Arigatou!" He called to the shopkeeper as they strolled out onto the less-busy-than-earlier but still bustling street. They strolled in silence and Kakashi led Sakura into an alley-way.
"Kakashi-sensei what's up?" Sakura asked as they stopped outside a shady looking door.
"Oh you'll see." Kakashi smirked, face hidden by the collar and his height, Sakura was too short to see over the edge of his collar, even with her high geta.
Kakashi knocked the door three times, each with the exact same spacing, paused and knocked a following three times, faster this time around. A second passed and the door swung inwards. The smell of grease and opium filtered out of the building.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you." Kakashi whispered, squeezing the woman's hand reassuringly before shifting his hold to her hip.
"Thank you." she breathed, her heart racing slightly as they entered the seedy club.
"Ah Keita-chan!" A dark haired man sauntered over to the couple and clasped his hand on Kakashi's free shoulder.
"Mitsuya!" Kakashi responded with mirrored enthusiasm, clasping the man's shoulder with his free hand, his other still wrapped around Sakura's waist protectively.
"I'm glad you made it! I got the chef to make up some specials for the two of you!" Mitsuya wasn't highly attractive. He had greying black hair that receded along his forehead and he was verging on overweight, but his demeanour was calm and composed, not at all slimy. Sakura trusted him if Kakashi did. "So this is Yuzu-san?" Mitsuya jerked his head at Sakura.
"Yeah..." Kakashi smiled, lost in loving thoughts, "She's the love of my life you know?" Kakashi smiled that unusual smile again.
"You don't stop letting me know!" Mitsuya laughed, "Come lets get you seated."
They were led to a small booth and they sat together while Mitsuya went off, mentioning something about getting their food.
"Why are we here?" Sakura breathed.
"They're willing to talk to us about the heightened security in here." Kakashi murmured.
"Oh, so they know why people's necks are being checked?" Sakura asked quietly.
"Exactly, I have a feeling it has something to do with that thing we saw..." Kakashi breathed, trying to be as delicate as possible with her.
"I see." Sakura responded meekly, afraid that it was going to come back. She immediately slapped herself mentally, she was letting an irrational fear eat away at her, it was beginning to consume her.
"Don't worry, we're going straight to the hotel I booked after food, we won't linger." Kakashi squeezed her hand, Sakura squeezed back, feeling safer in this seedy club with Kakashi than out in the open with that thing skulking around. At the thought of it she shivered, Sakura snuggled closer to Kakashi, aware of the many sets of prying eyes angled towards them. Kakashi hummed amusedly and tightened his grip around her.
"Don't worry, I've got you." The Copy-nin drawled quietly, a whisper barely audible above the constant rumble of voices, gaining an invisible flush under the thick layer of white. Sakura for once was actually glad for the make-up. Sakura looked up to ask him why he was putting on such a heavy act when their host returned. "Keita!" Mitsuya called, carrying two bowls of steaming food.
"Ah, thanks," Kakashi smiled gratefully, the bowls were set in front of the pair. Miso soup with eggplant for Kakashi and a steaming bowl of ramen for Sakura.
"Oh, what's in it?" The inquisitive Kunoichi swirled the contents of the bowl curiously.
"It's our speciality," The greasy man grinned, "Imperial veggie ramen!" He chuckled throatily.
The opium must be good here... Sakura smiled pleasantly at him, wondering how they got away with this kind of business with the guards being so uptight.
"Oh yummy!" She chimed densely, acting like a simple girl from up North, dumb, lovestruck and ignorant to any form of politics. The perfect woman.
"I'm glad it appeals to you my lovely." He had fallen for it.
"Oh she's very easy to please, if you know what I mean?" The sleazy Jonin chuckled and winked at the other man. Sakura controlled the anger boiling within her, how dare he imply that? How dare he? She simply gave a blank look and picked out a diced bamboo shoot and popped it in her mouth, trying to chew calmly and politely.
"Well, that's always good to hear!" So much for not being greasy. Sakura sighed and just ducked her head, trying to keep her cool.
"Well anyway," The older Shinobi began before taking in a spoonful of the thick soup. Sakura scooted discretely over, giving him some room. Kakashi glanced sideways at her before sliding his arm from around her, bringing it to rest on her knee. The pink tresses that alighted Sakura's head shook as she flinched. His hand was nowhere inappropriate but it sent a mixture of panic and heat rolling around her chest sluggishly. She started to feel very hot, fear dragging her temperature skyward.
"Oh Keita-sama," Sakura whined feebly, not having to act this time.
"Yes my darling?" Kakashi removed his hand, noticing the tension, "Are you feeling okay?" His hand pushed up the strands of her fringe as he felt her temperature.
"I feel rather unwell, do you mind if I retire early?" Her stomach lurched dangerously.
"No problem, here's the hotel key, we're in the jade dragon inn, take a right out of the alley and then a right when you reach the crossroads," The Copy-nin paused as he cocked his head in thought, "Then it should be the third or fourth building on the right, I won't be long." Her hand was gripped firmly by a hard, warm hand. "Yuzu, I love you." His single onyx eye was filled with a deep sincerity. It unnerved the young Kunoichi deeply.
"Thank you, Keita-sama, I shall await your return, I love you too." Even to her that sounded fa;se but she didn't care, she just wanted to get out of this stupid attire. She shakily got up from the curved booth and as the sterling haired nin began to get up to walk her out she held her hand up.
"I'm a big girl, I can do this." She smiled sweetly and blew him a kiss, "Hey if I'm feeling better later we'll test how easy I am to please." A wink and a pivot later Sakura was strutting out of the club with as much dignity as geta sandals could muster.
~##~
Sakura flopped onto the bed with exasperation. She had to have left her bag with that idiot! Sakura had spent the last ten minutes trying to find any kind of spare clothes, all she had come across was Kakashi's flak jacket and a pair of cotton trousers. No way was she exposing her body to that man's clothes. God knows what he did in them. So now she sat, scrubbed and ex foliated within an inch of her life, cross-legged on her single bed with her left hand draped over her chest, covering her exposed breasts, her bra was with her spare clothes in her bag but luckily she had not gone for the fully traditional look, forgoing all underwear.
There was a single, foul smelling bathrobe hanging on the back of the bathroom door. It was dark and felt like matted dog fur. She hadn't even considered wearing it, it was less appealing than Kakashi's clothes.
Sakura sighed and crawled into bed, she would just have to pull the covers up to her chin and hope she didn't move too much during the night. She settled between the smooth sheets and rested her head on the soft, downy pillow. She turned towards the glass fronted doors that led to the balcony, she had claimed the bed furthest from the door. Slowly she drifted off, an uneasy niggle in the back of her mind, as if she had forgotten to do something but it was well past midnight and she was tired. Within seconds she was out like a light.
~##~
"Wait what are you saying?" The silver haired Shinobi's patience had run thin.
"I told you, it's like a demon that pollutes people from the inside out!" The man would've seemed delusional if it were not for the cold feel in his maroon eyes.
"So, the neck checks are for what?" Kakashi's hands were clasped together, elbows on the table, a cup of sake resting under them.
"It's to see if you've been tainted, the demon sneaks into your dreams, consumes your sanity, lures you to it and rips out your neck!" The man was getting sloppier by the second. Alcohol flooding his system.
"Right, but isn't that a little cliché?" Kakashi sighed, looking down into the clear liquid below him.
"Ah but there is no mark afterwards!" The man spluttered.
"No mark then how?" Kakashi's brows furrowed, he wasn't making sense.
"A small seal, no larger than your thumb will glow under the torches of this town." The man smiled proudly, as if he had discovered the secret drinking habits of a noble.
"I see, so what do the guards do if they find such a person?" His interest perking back up slightly.
"They burn them." The man took on a slight smirk of pleasure.
Creep. Kakashi thought. I should check on Sakura, she seemed shaken up.
"Well, if you wouldn't mind, I need to check on my love." the silver haired Jonin slide out from the booth and straightened his jacket, making sure his face was hidden in the most part.
"No worries, if you're ever in town again just give me a bell, it was nice meeting you, Mitsuya!" The drunken host waved ignorantly.
"Good night." Kakashi waved lazily over his shoulder as he exited the opium den.
Sakura... Kakashi sighed and set off, anxiety clutching at his chest. I hope I didn't make her too uncomfortable...
The rain lashed against the door to the inn, Kakashi had sprinted the last twenty metres of the pavement. He waved kindly to the receptionist and headed upstairs to the room he had booked.
He approached the door and as soon as his hand touched the handle a blood curdling scream cut through his soul.
"Sakura!" He roared, flinging open the door.
"Kakashi-sensei!" She cried out, she was curled in a ball on the floor, rocking feebly with heavy sobs.
"What happened? Sakura? Sakura?" Kakashi leapt over the bed and landed softly next to her, falling to his knees.
"It was here, he was here." Sakura squawked. Her naked body rocking as if in some kind of fit.
"Who was here?" Kakashi murmured, pulling her head into his now crossed legs, stroking her hair.
"That thing, it was some kind of wolf! It brought Sasuke with it and he began doing things to me, horrible things!" She cried out in terror, yammering slightly.
"I'm here, I'm here now." Kakashi cursed himself for letting her go alone, he was afraid of the mind pollution that Mitsuya had warned about.
"I know, but it was here and you weren't!" Sakura clutched at his silk trousers.
"I'm so sorry, so, so, sorry." Kakashi continued to smooth her hair, unsure of how else to care for her.
"I know, but I'm just so afraid!" Sakura whined, her resolve broken.
"I know, I know." Kakashi closed his eyes and unzipped his jacket and wrapped it around her naked form. Sakura found something surprisingly comforting about this and began to calm down.
"I'm so sorry Kakashi-sensei." Sakura snuffled and sat up, wrapping the coat around her.
"Sorry?" Kakashi cocked an eyebrow, incredulous that she could even think about apologizing.
"Yeah, I'm being weak." She finished with a small sob.
"You are anything but weak." Kakashi ruffled her hair, "If I thought you were weak I would've asked another Jonin to accompany us."
"Honestly?" Sakura looked up at him with big, watery eyes.
"Honestly," Kakashi brushed a small lock of shocking pink out of her face, her skin was soft and supple, it was flawless. "Lets get you into bed." Kakashi stood and extended his hand out to her.
Sakura nodded and gaped as she realised she could see his face.
"Kakashi-sensei, your face!" Sakura breathed as she extended a probing finger towards him. He was perfection personified. An angled jaw line, strong cheekbones, full, handsome lips. Sakura's heart skipped a beat as she realised what she was feeling. She whipped her hand down to her side and turned to her bed. "I'm sorry." she whispered as she climbed into bed, keeping the coat wrapped tightly around her frame. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Sakura." Kakashi whispered back, smiling at the young girl that not minutes before was a hysterical wreck.
She's the same, boy-crazy girl as ever, Kakashi mused, Although this time, it isn't a boy, and she isn't a girl. Kakashi added as an afterthought.
Kakashi crawled into bed and recalled the way her skin felt beneath his hands. A slight shiver ran through him. Wrong this is wrong, stop it.
Sakura lay, inhaling the sweet, musky scent that enfolded her. What are you doing Sakura? She sighed, although the horror of that creature was all too present in her mind, knowing Kakashi was there chased the darkness away. Or at least pushed it back a little, enough to ignore most of it, he made her feel safe.
"Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura whispered, unsure if he could hear her.
"Yes?" His voice was beginning to sound groggy.
"Why did you come with me?" It was an innocent question, a simple one at that.
"I thought it'd be a good opportunity to get away from my new team." Kakashi laughed.
"Ass." Sakura breathed and snuggled deeper into his coat.
"I suppose I am, why do you ask?" His drawl almost slurred.
"I was just curious, I'm a boy-crazy, irrational girl, I just thought you wouldn't want to be on a mission with a girl like that." Sakura's voice was barely audible.
"I find it entertaining," Kakashi teased.
"Whatever, forget I asked." Sakura sighed, he was infuriating.
"Hey, that was a compliment!" The sleepy Copy-nin protested.
"Whatever, goodnight." The aggravated Kunoichi retorted.
"Night, Sakura-chan..." He sighed deeply.
Silence descended on the small room and Kakashi sighed, feeling downcast. He was letting his feelings get ahead of him, letting them control him. Something he must never do. It costs lives on a mission like this, and he had once sworn he would never put his students in danger.
I will always protect you, even if it means protecting you from myself...
A/N – Hey guys whaddya think? :D I'm really into writing this and I hope you guys are into reading it! So, review? Pwetty pwease? X3 Thanks for reading ~^-^ Esuta.
P/S Thanks again 13 - I la you x
