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Arc III: Konoha
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Chapter Sixteen
Addicted
“What do you mean you’re not going?” Sakura asked with mild surprise and disappointment as she gave her best “reproachful” look towards the Hyuuga genius. She was all packed-up and ready to leave when Neji miraculously appeared on her doorstep and told her the big news.
“Kazekage changed plans. The Hokage’s already informed so…”
Now the idea of going back to Konoha suddenly made her stomach do the flip-flops. She’s going to travel with Kakashi for three days… alone. The incident from Daikon was still fresh and the wounds he left still stung like mad. “Y-you can’t!” it was almost like a shriek and made Neji wince.
“It’s an order, Sakura.”
“I can’t believe this…”
“Kakashi’s there to—”
“No!” she said a little too loudly and then suddenly felt humiliated. Looking around the hall, she was relieved that no one’s around to hear her whining. With a sigh, she looked at Neji and pleaded, “C’mon, Neji. Everyone anticipates your return in Konoha. Do you want to deprive them away from that simple wish?”
Neji somehow felt offended and narrowed his eyes dangerously, “No one anticipates, as what you supposed, Haruno-san. If I get back or not, no one will notice.”
Sakura frowned, “Oh shut up. Your fan girls will cry a river if you won’t return.”
“Hn,”
“And Hinata…”
“Naruto won’t like you saying that.” That definitely doesn’t sound right.
“There’s TenTen too…”
Neji nervously coughed, “Excuse me?”
“See!” Sakura waved her hand dismissively, “Do you want me to reveal the rest of the list?”
“Please don’t.” Neji wearily muttered.
“Everyone just miss you. Period.” Crossing her arms, she leaned against the doorjamb and asked, “So? You still coming?”
“As I said,” Neji said slowly as if talking to a child, “it was already approved by both kage’s. There’s nothing we can do to change it.” After I told him endless lies of why I should stay. He said to himself, remembering the look of indifference on Gaara’s face when he said he wanted to help Sunagakure and Shikamaru with tasks that should be done.
The Shikamaru part alone gave him away.
“I’m sorry, Sakura.” After seeing that little scene in Gaara’s office, Neji decided not to go with the two. He didn’t want to get in between nor caught up with the tension.
Sakura looked thoughtful for a moment then sighed, crossed her arms and said, “Fine. But you’d better get back soon. You and Shikamaru are sorely missed, remember that.”
Neji tried not to roll his eyes but fell into temptation and did so, “Alright.”
Sakura looked at him and then grinned, “Bye, Hyuuga-san.”
“We’re still going to see each other…” and the next thing he knew, the girl jumped on him and gave him a hug. Feeling that it was only proper for him to return it, he moved his arms, albeit hesitantly around her and returned the gesture.
Sakura pulled back with the same grin set on her face, “Good luck.”
In arms length, he tried to smile, “That’s bad luck in return.”
A frown crossed her face, “Break a leg, then? Sounds better?”
Neji approvingly nodded, “Stay out of trouble.” He said as they both released each other and stood in a good distance.
“As if I can help it.”
A grin was exchanged.
Neither did they know a certain silver haired jounin stood by the door of his room, watching them in silence.
**
He waited for her by the gate, staying underneath the hood for a temporary shelter away from the sun. What he’d seen in the inn made him feel awfully empty. It’s killing me slowly, he thought as the image of Neji and Sakura enveloped in a rather intimate embrace. Is there something she’s not telling me? Was it possible that a relationship already bloomed without him knowing? What really happened in Daikon during their scout? Should he ask? Should he even have suspicions like this in the first place?
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“It was a professional mission!”
“Is it?”
“Where are you getting at, Hatake? You know me better than that!”
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Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, Sakura’s different. She may had been chasing Sasuke and professing her love for him with any chance she got… but she’s not the type of girl who easily… his thoughts were immediately interrupted when he saw her approaching. Speak of the devil. He straightened away from the wall and slung his pack behind his back. “Yo.”
Sakura blinked at him and then timidly looked away. She couldn’t help remembering how this man in front of her kissed her back in Daikon. With a sigh, she pulled a tight smile, albeit small and said, “You’re early.”
Kakashi smiled in return, “There were no dolphins around to delay me.”
Despite her uneasiness and slight anger towards him, she laughed, “Oh please, spare me the details.”
It will never be the same… He noticed how she desperately avert her eyes and force herself to smile. They’ve been through a lot lately. They always argue, ignore one another, force to enjoy each other’s company and then argue again. This was one of the worst missions he had ever been. He silently wished that when they’re back in Konoha, everything will turn normal again.
“Let’s go.”
**
“Sasuke, you moron, get down here!” Naruto elatedly yelled at his friend, waving his hands in the air and bouncing on the balls of his feet.
The dark-haired Uchiha turned towards the annoying voice and performed his signature glare, “What do you want, dobe?”
“I got something you’d like to know!” once Tsunade told him about the news, he couldn’t help not to jump up and down like a kid. “So, get your ass down now!”
“I can hear you perfectly clear up here.” He didn’t know what made his blonde friend act stupider than what he already was. For whatever it is that made Naruto wound up, he didn’t care. He perfectly made this clear by lackadaisically leaning back against the trunk of the tree with both arms behind his neck and leg over his other knee.
“Psh, fine!” Naruto stopped being hyper but the wide grin on his face never vanished. “Sakura and Kakashi-sensei’s returning in three days! Tsunade-baa-chan told me they’re on their way now.”
Sasuke’s shoulders stiffened, his eyes opening a mere-fraction while Naruto continued his rant.
“…boy, am I excited! I’ve got tons of stuff to tell her! It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other and…”
She’s coming… in three days. How long had he been anticipating her return? How long had been waiting to talk to her? It’s been weeks and the thought that his concerns will be put into ease within three days somehow relieved him.
“…I bet she’ll treat me some ramen when she gets back! She knows how much I love my ramen with…”
What will I say to her? Sasuke may look calm and collected but deep inside he was frantic. And Naruto’s babbling doesn’t help him any. So, he stood up and made a leap towards the rooftops, away from the loud blonde.
“Oi, Sasuke!”
“Later.” He made a small salute before running towards the Uchiha compound. He needed some time to think… or rather, someone to talk to. A blonde ex-fan girl would be much preferable.
**
“Welcome, welcome.” The owner quickly ushered the two travellers inside his little inn. Quickly shutting the door before the snow fill his home, the owner went back to his post behind the desk and greeted the two for the umpteenth time. “Welcome, what can I do for you?”
Kakashi brushed away snow flakes off his shoulder before answering, “Two rooms.”
The owner apologetically scratched his head, laughed and said, “Well… the blizzard outside brought me a lot of customers these past few weeks so…”
Sakura tiredly sighed, “Don’t tell me there’s no room left?” then spitefully added, Then why did you invited us in the first place?
The owner wouldn’t let any customer go unsatisfied, “Oh no, no, no! There’s still ONE room left. Although I don’t understand why young lovers wouldn’t share a room…”
“LOV—??!” Sakura was about correct the old man that the man beside her was not her lover. That he’s Sakura’s big, moronic, insensitive, buffoon ex-sensei who did nothing but to hurt her feelings and create mix signals that embarrasses her in the end.
“We’ll take it.”
“Ah, good.” The owner grabbed the keys and handed it to Kakashi, “Room 8 for you lovebirds.”
“But—”
“Thank you,” Kakashi then started walking towards the hall and up to the second floor.
Open-mouthed and helpless, Sakura followed her sensei, noting the knowing smile the old man was giving them.
Turning the knob, Kakashi opened the door and went in, fumbling the wall for the light switch. When the light was on, Sakura followed in suit and shut the door behind her. When she entered, Kakashi was already in the bathroom.
“Why didn’t you tell him the truth?”
“Tell what?” he asked, voiced echoed by the tight space of the bathroom.
“That we—” embarrassed to continue, Sakura sat on the edge of the bed, flushing, “That we’re not… together.”
There was a long pause before he answered, “Lovers or not, we’re still getting the room.”
Sakura looked around the room before her eyes fell on the window near the bed. It was still raining snow outside. If Kakashi didn’t accept the owner’s offer, they would have to sleep outside or continue travelling. And if ever they did continue travelling, they would probably be dead by morning. With another sigh, Sakura dropped freely on the bed and closed her eyes. She was too tired to remove her leg guards or even change into her night clothes.
“I’m getting the bed, you sleep on the couch.” She declared at the same moment Kakashi entered the room. Ha! That’s what you get for hurting my feelings, you jerk! Inner Sakura danced triumphantly inside her head.
The moment he saw her on the bed, Kakashi didn’t know what to do. Why did I get this room in the first place? For practicality, he knew he should get the room. They need shelter and shelter they should get. You’re going to share the same room with her… Kakashi already professed he was not a saint.
Now, seeing the woman he dreamed about lay on the bed before him made him want to rethink his actions. Kami, are you testing my virtues? Cos’ if you are, I’m telling you, I lack temperance. A few days ago, he kissed the same woman as if there was no tomorrow. And now, this little minx is seducing him unintentionally, and much to his disgust, her seduction tactic was very successful. He wanted to jump her and kiss her, touch her, love her. He deserves an award from abstaining. I don’t deserve her… with words replaying inside his head over and over like an old record, Kakashi moved to the couch quietly.
“Why am I on the couch again?”
“We can’t share the same bed.”
“And why did you take the bed?”
“Because I’m a woman.”
“And?”
“Women are supposed to have the bed.”
“Who invented that law?”
“Me.” Groaning in frustration, she sat up and glared at him, “Be a gentleman and let the lady take the bed.” She then started to take off her leg guards and shoes.
“What if I refuse?” it’s not that he’s refusing to be a gentleman and let Sakura sleep in the bed. It’s just that he too was tired and sleeping in the couch wasn’t too comforting. Now, if only they can share the bed just for tonight, he’ll be happy. He’ll try to forget his feelings for her just to get one night rest. Yeah right, you perverted old man. Just looking at her makes you feel things. What more if you’re sleeping next to her? Even his inner self mistrusts his resolution.
“Is that a challenge?”
Kakashi’s exposed eye narrowed.
Sakura’s lip joined her eye in all its twitching glory.
“I want to share it with you…” with that said, Sakura looked at him and fell silent. As if she’s looking for a confirmation within his dark eye.
That threw her off. “Sensei—” she was cut short when he leaned in and kissed her with his masked lips.
Something within him exploded when he felt the familiar warmth of her lips against his. It was chaste, a simple kiss and then he pulled back. Slowly opening his eye, he saw hers still closed and then fluttering open a couple of seconds later. He regarded her for a moment, and she couldn’t read his gaze. Both then realized they had two choices.
It was to deny each other again or ignore the anathemas and let their hearts do the working.
“You know,” Sakura started dazedly while tracing the edge of his mask, “this is much better.” She pulled down the stupid material and leaned in to initiate the kiss. Kakashi submitted himself completely to temptation and kissed her back. Grabbing the back of her head, he angled her head to kiss her deeply and at the same time, running his fingers through her silky bubblegum tresses.
Kakashi knew he screwed up, but no longer cared. He can’t deny this. The more he wanted to let go, the more he gets attached to her.
He didn’t want to let go. Never.
She was like a drug
And he’s addicted…
He tasted something salty and as he pulled back to see what it was, he was surprised to see her crying. “Sakura?” she cupped his face again, as if afraid he’d disappear if she didn’t. She opened her eyes and desperately looked at the man before her.
“I want you to want me….” She said thoughtfully, “Is that so wrong?” She pressed her cheek against his, her tears soaking his skin, “But I don’t want to fall, Kakashi. Not this time…” she was so confused and she wanted confirmation.
Kakashi found it hard to speak with the lump on his throat forming. Kakashi closed his eyes, kissed her cheek and pulled her tightly against him before he found the strength to speak. “I do want you, Sakura. And that makes me a sinful man…” This was the reason why he’s distancing himself away from her. He didn’t want to get hurt. This woman already his obsession and if he lose her, he has no idea if he will be able to function normally after that. He lost his loved ones and team mates before. Yodaime-sensei, Rin… Obito... his father. Wounds from the past took some time to heal and he can’t let another wound scar him. Being a shinobi living in the world of betrayal and war treats death as a normal occurrence. But the thought of Sakura dying doesn’t sound normal to him. It was dreadful, alarming and uncanny. He knew by taking this risk of loving her, he has to try his best to protect her with his life. Now, not only Konoha owns his loyalty… Sakura acquired it as well.
The perfect words she wanted to hear from his mouth. Sakura knew she melted right then and there. She pulled back just enough to see his face and said, “Love me…”
Kakashi kissed the corner of mouth, “I already do.”
Sakura smiled. It wasn’t the best confession she ever heard but it was still romantic in its own little way. She knew he’s not ready and that it’s too early. She can wait…
Cocking an eyebrow, she tauntingly asked, “Then why did you deny me in the first place?”
Kakashi truthfully replied, “I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of losing my best friend.”
Sakura stared at him with wide eyes but then softly smiled as she reassuringly caressed his cheek, “Lose me? Never…” she moved her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “You’ll never get rid of me.”
Kakashi returned the embrace, burying his nose on her pink tresses, “I know...” He heard her drained sigh and felt her head grew heavy on his shoulder.
“I’m tired.” She said, a little sleepy.
“Let’s go to bed.” A paused and then, “I can sleep on the bed right?”
Sakura laughed and then nodded, “Alright, we’ll share the bed tonight, Kakashi.”
“Just for tonight?”
“Don’t test my kindness, sensei.” Sakura warningly said.
Kakashi frowned, “When we’re together, don’t call me that.”
“Why?”
“It makes me feel old.”
Sakura pulled back and smirked, “You are old.”
“And you’re a naïve nineteen year old virgin.”
Sakura slapped his arm albeit half-heartedly, “Quit it.”
“You started it.” Good, the spark between them was back. This was a lucky day after all.
Sakura growled, “Let’s go to sleep, sensei.”
“Fine.” He carried her back to bed despite of the medic’s protests.
“I can walk, you know. You’re making me feel like an invalid or something.” Internally, she enjoyed the feeling of being carried away by her prince charming. Only, Kakashi wasn’t so charming after dropping her carelessly on the bed. “Hey! That hurt, you jerk!”
Shrugging with deferential casualness, Kakashi smirked and said, “You refuse to be invalid, right?”
Sakura glared as sharp as a dagger, “You could’ve done it with grace!”
Kakashi took the empty space next to hers after taking off his vest, leaving his fishnet shirt and pants. He looked at her and when she returned his stare, he motioned for her to come closer. All he received was an arched eyebrow and a petulant pout from the pink-haired medic. “Be that way,” he said, “I got the blanket. Your loss, not mine.” To emphasize his point, he tugged the covers towards his direction and wrapped it tightly around him.
“You insensitive prick…” Sakura mumbled as she rubbed her arms to prevent the coldness to settle in her bones.
Kakashi sighed tiredly, “Just come here, Sakura. If it makes you feel better, I’ll be good.” Back in his mind, he remembered the first time he and Sakura shared a bed. It was back in Konoha and as far as he can remember, a situation like this also occurred. A déjà vu perhaps?
Sakura rolled her eyes, “Ah sure, that makes me feel so much better.”
“So, just feel better and stop being stubborn.” He goaded.
“We can share the blanket without sleeping too close to each other!”
“Ever heard of body heat, Sakura? I thought you’re one of the top medics? You should know that.”
Another growl came from the young woman. Kakashi kept on smirking victoriously.
“Fine.” Her lips were twisted in a strange look that was half amusement, half exasperation.
His grin widened when she finally scooted over and settled on his side. He moved his arm around her and pulled her closer with his chin resting on top of her head. Pulling the covers over them, he heard her sigh contentedly.
“Better?”
Sakura blushed furiously but nodded. As much as she hated to admit, Kakashi’s warmth soothed her already cold body. She snuggled closer as his other arm moved to encircle her waist.
This was nice.
For the first time, Kakashi never felt more excited to share the bed with her every night.
“Good night.” She told him before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep.
“Um, one question. Do you punch or kick when you’re having nightmares? Cause there’s a lot of ways on putting those hands into proper places when you—”
Sakura kicked his leg with a huff
There goes his answer. You and your big, fat mouth. Kakashi bitterly thought, wincing at the forceful kick he received.
This was going to be a rough night, he could tell.
TBC