Chapter 3: Foreshadowing

The vision of the blood exploding as Kakashi crushed Kabuto's heart was still flashing in Sakura's mind. It was just such an unnecessary action; done for the sake of being sadistic. He took pleasure in it, far more than was normal. The ANBU members had a certain… reputation in their village for being more detached from brutality than other shinobi. Being selected for ANBU required you to have a certain amount of darkness – you couldn't be someone like Naruto to do well there. Kakashi had darkness in spades it seems, and she was now beginning to understand Naruto's timid behavior around him.

She knew he was in the ANBU for nearly a decade before becoming her sensei. Was it perhaps being there from a young age that made him this way? She could see how much he liked to have control, even before seeing him like this. He was also reclusive back in the village. He was never seen with a girlfriend, and she couldn't say anyone could truly call themselves his friend. His past and even personal life were just as much of a mystery as his face was to them.

"Are you alright Sakura?" Naruto asked softly from the side of her. What a loaded question, was she alright? She asked for this didn't she? She was adamant on going on these missions with them, that she was more than ready. So, she had to be alright with this bloodthirsty side of him. She had to, or she may as well go home.

"I'm fine, thank you. That was just a bit… unexpected is all."

"Yeah… I tried to tell you before, but it's hard to prepare anyone for him, I guess. I had nightmares after my first couple of missions with him."

She could imagine. Anyone would be scarred from seeing that, let alone Naruto. "He's safe for us though, right?" She got the message loud and clear that he was unhinged when it came to dealing with an enemy, but what about his team?

"He's never killed a comrade Sakura. He takes betrayal very seriously. I just, wouldn't challenge him, as I said before. Especially when he lets the bloodlust take over, like you just saw. He's uh... a bit scary then."

She noticed he skirted around her question. Sure, Kakashi has never killed a teammate before. But he didn't say he hasn't hurt anyone. He also kept warning her about challenging him, like he's some kind of rabid dog.

"What if one of us gets in the way, in his eyes, on a mission?"

"I think we all know better than to do that," he responded in a low tone.

"He's unstable."

"Even if he is, what do you want to do about it Sakura? He's never let anything serious happen to me or Sai on a mission. He has issues but he's on our side. You just need to learn how to handle him."

"Handle him? He should be reported to The Hokage!" She yelled in frustration. Why was Kakashi given so many allowances?

"She already knows Sakura."

She slowly turned around to see Kakashi standing at the edge of the clearing. There were no longer any traces of the blood that soaked him prior, and she idly wondered how he managed to get it all out. He must have had spare clothes or something. His response to her registered in her mind and her eyes widened.

"She knows what I am."

"She knows about THIS?" She stressed in disbelief.

"Yes."

How? Why?! She didn't understand how he was given this much leeway. Was Tsunade-sama out of her mind? Allowing him free reign to do what he wants on missions, so long as he's successful? That's a slippery slope that leads to…leads to whatever that was just before.

"There's no way she'd allow this!"

"Oh, why's that? My track record speaks for itself."

"Because, because what you did was over the top. It was more than was necessary!" She left unsaid because he clearly liked inflicting pain and suffering.

"You're scared of me now." It wasn't said as a question.

"No, I just think you were excessively vicious. It was repulsive," she bravely answered.

"We got intel out of it, did we not?"

"Two names, that's it!"

"Two names that wouldn't have been given had I not done what I'd done. If I simply killed him, he would not have given even that."

"So, the ends justify the means?"

"Exactly."

"I'm not naïve Kakashi-sensei, you reveled in it."

He stepped into her personal space, and she took a step back. She didn't realize how close he got in their heated argument. He grabbed her chin and forced her head to tilt up and look at him directly.

"As I said, The Hokage is aware of what I am and what I'm capable of. So long as I behave inside the village, we have an unspoken agreement for her to turn a blind eye outside of it."

She couldn't believe it, that was just so out of character for her lady to be so passive. They were ninja, but they weren't ruthless monsters. At least, they weren't supposed to be.

"That's asinine!"

"She doesn't think so."

"Why is she willing to do that for you? Why are you an exception to the rules?" She asked exasperatedly.

"Why do you think Sakura?" He said pointedly.

She looked him in the eye, and she realized exactly why. Didn't Lady Tsunade allude to it before? She overlooked his 'shortcomings' to keep peace with him. Because… she really didn't have a choice apparently. Lady Tsunade admitted herself he was stronger than her, stronger than anyone in their village. That he was an asset supposedly because he protected them with his power. Apparently, everyone has the mentality it was better he was on their side than to be in his path.

"So, you play nice back home and you can do whatever you want on missions?"

"Basically. Will this be a problem for you? I know I mentioned before I was concerned about your compliance on missions with me. You've seen a snippet of what I'm like now; do you still have the same resolve?"

"And I can't just go under another captain for missions because?"

"Because I said so, that's why. You either are with me or you won't go. Simple enough for you?" He squeezed her chin firmly as he said that.

"Yes, sensei, fine. I'm not changing my mind, so I'll just have to put up with you," she responded snidely. She wasn't even going to bother asking why he was so adamantly against her switching teams. He didn't seem in a hurry to utilize her abilities so far, even admonishing her for following Kabuto - in a terrifying way. She didn't understand why he wanted to keep her so badly if he was clearly going to worry about her fucking up the entire time. It made more sense to her if he just let her get reassigned, but Kakashi wasn't exactly forthcoming about his reasoning for things. If he wanted to tell her why he would have already done so.

"Excellent." He pinched her cheek in a display of mock affection, and she tried to bat his hand away angrily.

"Let go," she demanded firmly as he continued to hold her face in his hand. When he was slow to release her, she used her chakra to push him away. He smirked in amusement at her through his mask, which made her want to rip it off and choke him with it.

"You're too cute Sakura."

She had a feeling that was a patronizing remark, but he seemed somewhat 'normal'. Or at least, how he acts back in the village with her. He looked relatively relaxed, and any indication of his internal darkness was absent for the moment. His typical arrogant, asshole self was back. Though, she'd take this version of himself with fervor. Kakashi being annoying and condescending was far better than what he was like before…

"So, where to next? Are we going back to the village to report to Granny?" Naruto asked. She honestly forgot he was there. She looked over and Sai was also standing silently next to him. Her sensei's overwhelming presence made her less aware of anything else around her. Naruto looked quite nervous drawing Kakashi's attention to him. She supposed his trepidation around Kakashi was going to take some getting used to as well.

"No, we didn't get enough to go off. I'd like to have more to report to The Hokage than that."

"We know they're after jinchuriki like Naruto. I heard that Kabuto guy say that before." 'Before you brutally ripped his heart out,' she thought to herself.

"Jinchuriki are notoriously difficult to control. They don't bend to another's will easily, and most of them haven't mastered the beast's power they host. If the beast were to take over they would be mindless and out of control, recognizing neither ally nor opponent. Hardly an ideal weapon for missing-nin to use. Naruto has had to be subdued when he's lost himself to the nine tails, haven't you Naruto?"

"Yeah," he replied sheepishly.

"So, what could they possibly want with them then?"

"Well, that's what we need to find out."

"Didn't he say Itachi was part of this Akatsuki? Sasuke's brother Itachi."

"He did, I suppose we'll run into him eventually in that case."

She shuddered because he looked disturbingly excited at the prospect of facing an opponent like Itachi Uchiha.

"What about running into Sasuke? I doubt he stopped pursuing his brother, he could be on his trail too," she questioned.

"That would be very unlucky for Sasuke if he were to get in the way."

She knew what that meant now. She didn't think about Sasuke in the romantic sense anymore, but she still cared for him as a person. She knew it was foolish and he more than likely didn't feel the same, but it was hard letting go of the past. It's been 6 years since he left the village, and they haven't seen him since. Naruto took his departure even harder than she did. He still had hope he could change his mind and come home. She wasn't exactly as idealistic as Naruto, but she still wouldn't like to see Kakashi handle him. She understood Sasuke wasn't on their side, that he wasn't their friend anymore, but it didn't mean she wanted Kakashi to kill him either.

She looked at Naruto and noticed how crestfallen he looked, and her heart broke for him. "Well, that's not something we have to worry about right now. We need to find out more about the Akatsuki right?"

"True, we'll head out to the next village tomorrow. And Sakura, this time you'll partner with me."

"What, why?!" That was the last thing she wanted right now.

"So, you won't be tempted to try and follow anyone else."

She was about to give a nasty remark but noticed Naruto shaking his head to the side in warning. She sighed dejectedly and didn't push the issue. "Yes, sensei," she bit out.

When they made camp for the night, she stayed close to Naruto and attempted to ignore Kakashi. He didn't seem to be paying her much mind, settled against a tree reading his infamous book. Sai was drawing in his artbook quietly, Naruto was shuffling back and forth waiting for the instant ramen to finish cooking over the fire.

"Say Naruto, what are you going to do when we get back?"

"What do you mean Sakura-chan? I'll probably go to Ichiraku first thing and get two bowls of ramen."

"Oh? Maybe you should bring someone along to share all that ramen with, don't you think?"

"Bring someone? You mean you? You can definitely come with Sakura-chan!"

"No, not me Naruto. Maybe a really pretty girl," she hinted.

"You are a really pretty girl," he laughed.

"Yes, but I mean a girl who isn't your friend. Who likes you in that way," she explained patiently.

"Like who?"

"Someone who may just have been right under your nose this whole time."

"You're not making any sense Sakura-chan. Who are you talking about?"

"You'll figure it out eventually, hopefully soon for her sake," she laughed.

He looked at her in frustration and she kept giggling. He really was oblivious. Poor Hinata was in love with him, and he was completely clueless. Subtle hints were apparently lost on Naruto. She didn't want to tell him though, because he really needed to discover how great Hinata was for himself. Hinata always saw him, even when they were kids and Naruto wasn't exactly a catch. He deserved that happiness with someone.

"And maybe when we get back, I can find someone to go on a date with as well."

"Huh?" She noticed Naruto tense up at that.

"I just mean I need to have a dating life. Just because we're ninja doesn't mean we can't find time for love, right?"

"Uh, right." He seemed even more on edge than before, and she wonder what his problem was.

"What's your issue Naruto? I just want to go on a date for once, don't you? I'm tired of Ino-pig and everyone else having a social life."

"I told you already Sakura, I'm more than happy to take you on a date," Kakashi interjected from where he sat. She looked at him in disbelief as he continued to read his perverted book.

"You're not funny sensei."

"I'm not trying to be."

"Yeah, right. I'll take you up on your 'generous offer' when I decide I want to go out with old men."

"I'm not even old Sakura, I'm 26."

"Still much older than I am. Besides, that's the least of your problems…"

"Meaning?"

She looked at him fully and saw he was watching her with that intense look he's had before. She really hated when he looked at her that way.

"Why are you even arguing with me about this? I know you don't actually want to take me out!"

"It's just so fun to tease you Sakura. When you get so worked up, you're even more attractive than normal."

She huffed because his fake flirting was starting to get on her nerves. She knew he was just doing it to annoy her. It was Kakashi, he didn't have an actual interest in her or any woman.

"Save it sensei. You can do me a favor and stay clear of me when we're back. The last thing I want is for you to scare away another guy like you did with Sota"

"Who?"

"You know exactly who I'm talking about."

"You can't mean that pathetic boy who scurried off with his tail between his legs in the teashop."

"He's not pathetic." Her eyes narrowed at him in anger before storming up to him.

"So, you would have gone out with him had I not… made an appearance?"

"Why wouldn't I? He's quite attractive and nice."

"Is that so?" She noticed his tone was much darker than a moment ago. She felt his hands hook around the back of her knees and drag her forward. She ended up straddling him, his book placed on the ground. She tried to move off, but his hands locked her in place on his lap. She felt unease at the position. She noticed lately he'd been taken more liberties with her, as far as personal space goes. She couldn't understand why.

"He's not worthy of you Sakura."

"Who is?" She asked rhetorically.

He chuckled softly and she felt one of his hands lightly dance up the side of her leg. "No one." His fingers continued to drift up the side of her hip and to her waist. She felt him tracing small little circles, over and over, until every nerve there felt electrified. She looked at his face but nothing in his expression gave away what he was thinking.

"No one's probably good enough for you."

"Shouldn't I decide that for myself?"

She was starting to get distracted by his hand that was gradually sliding from the curve of her waist to her stomach. He began tracing the toned planes of her stomach through her shirt.

"You're not exactly the best guy to give relationship advice. No one's ever seen you with a woman. Hell, no one's even seen your face!"

"I wouldn't say no one. There's been a few people who have when the situation called for it."

She understood his meaning and blushed furiously. It wasn't to say she thought he was a virgin, or anything absurd like that. He probably had his fair share of sexual encounters with women. But he must have been incredibly discreet about it because it never got out. No one ever saw any of these women with him.

He was still rubbing her stomach softly with one hand while the other settled on her waist. Their faces were inches apart considering their position.

"Do you want to?"

"Do I want to… what?"

"See my face?"

"I… well I mean everyone does. Of course, I do too."

"If YOU asked it of me, I might show you."

There was no way Kakashi was propositioning her?! "Get your hands off me," she ordered.

"Or what?"

She swung her fist at him and felt herself flipped over and onto her back. She felt the coldness of the ground beneath her. Kakashi's heavy weight then settled on top of her, his hands pinning down her arms easily.

"You should know better than that Sakura."

"You were being a pervert!"

"Only for you." He stared down on her with an unreadable look.

"Let go of me." She repeated.

"That sounds like an order."

His hands softly encircled her throat and she started to freak out. The grip wasn't choking her or even bruising, but those hands were lethal. He could snap her neck faster than she could gather up the chakra to get him off.

"Kakashi-sensei, please," she pleaded, swallowing her pride.

"Please, what?" His hands were lightly massaging the sides of her neck.

"Please, let go."

He slowly got off her and moved to stand up. He pulled her up with him in one quick move, so her chest was plastered against his.

"I don't wish to hurt you Sakura, if I can avoid it."

She didn't know how to respond to that either. It's not as if he's physically hurt her before, but witnessing how he was, she would never rule it out. If she angered him, she could see him doing it.

She gasped when his hand brushed her lips, tracing the outline of her mouth. She stopped breathing. What was he doing?

He looked at her face for what seemed like hours. He started leaning forward and she was frozen to the spot. She couldn't make her body move away. His lips pressed against her forehead in the barest whisper of a kiss before he spoke, "But I'm not always going to let you go."

She was still standing in the same spot even after he walked away from her to take the first watch. She put her hand to her chest, trying to quell her rapid heartbeat. 'What the actual fuck was that?!' She thought frantically to herself.

I'm thrilled so many people are enjoying this story. I'm glad there are others out there that also like a dark Kakashi lol. Please continue to give me your feedback!

Next chapter will have more of Kakashi's POV for those who enjoy that!