Work Text:
Even the bright stage lights couldn’t compare to Gai’s blinding smile. “I don’t think this is a great idea,” Kakashi replied as Tsunade’s amplified voice spoke to the crowd.
“Nonsense! This is just another way to compete!” Somehow, Gai managed to stand even taller. “Unless you are worried that cannot stand against my reputation!”
“Uhhh, not really.” Public opinion was such a fickle thing; it had been ages since Kakashi had cared about other people’s opinions. “This auction is out of our hands and solely depends on the audience.”
“I thought you would say that, My Dearest Rival,” Gai nodded as he stroked his chin. “That is why I have a proposal. The winner has to treat the other one to a three-day trip to an onsen.”
Konohamaru poked his head out from the other side of the curtain to interrupt their conversation. “You’re up next, Gai-sensei.
Kakashi’s waved Konohamaru off, his interest rising. “A three-day vacation, you say?” He could do with some pampering.
“Ah! I’m glad you are entering this challenge with me!” Gai gave Kakashi a thumbs up. “Now it is time for me to woo the women of Konoha! Ha!” He disappeared behind the curtain to enter the spotlight.
The crowd on the other side of the curtain went wild.
Intrigued, Kakashi sauntered to the wings so he could see the stage from the shadows. Gai, who had ditched his jumpsuit for a suit and tie, was doing a series of one-handed pushups. The women in the audience were fanning themselves. Tsunade rubbed her hands behind the podium in glee.
Last year, Tsunade had suggested a charity dating auction to raise money for a future children’s hospital. The first fundraiser was held a few months later to resounding success. It turned out that a lot of civilians were interested in high-ranked ninja, but were too intimidated to approach them in a normal setting. But the participants were required to be charming in the charity date. Tsunade had hand-selected the participants, picking those who were most likely to make the most amount of money. This time, Kakashi was one of the participants.
Tsunade slammed her hand down on the podium. “Ladies and Gentlemen! It’s time for our next charity date, Maito Gai! The bidding starts at ten thousand Ryo!”
The women of the audience waved their paddles frantically as Tsunade rattled off numbers. Most of the faces in the front were unfamiliar, making Kakashi wonder how much Tsunade had advertised the fundraiser this time around. His eyes widened as he heard the numbers climb up.
And up.
And up.
Gai was doing his best to raise the crowd spirits, doing lunges and shedding clothing when bidding stalled. Kakashi started to worry when the number crossed a million Ryo. He retreated to the back as Gai whipped off his shirt. Kakashi had seen Gai shirtless enough for one lifetime.
Aoba was chatting with Genma in the back room, nodding as Kakashi stepped in. He was wearing a suit like Gai; Genma had skipped the bandanna and opted for a hair tie.
“I thought you would have skipped the uniform for one night, Kakashi.” Genma swirled the ice in his glass. “Tsunade’s going to kill you if you don’t raise at least a million Ryo.”
Kakashi shrugged. “I wasn’t here the last time. I didn’t realize it was such an event.”
Tsunade has respected Kakashi’s fondness for privacy during the first auction. He hadn’t even been in the village when it happened, although he had heard a bit about it from those who had participated. Tsunade hadn’t afforded him the luxury the second time around, and Kakashi hadn’t tried to charm his way out of it. It seemed like a small price to pay for a good cause. The children’s hospital was a great idea; he could be charming for three hours and eat a free meal.
Looking at how well dressed the other participants were, Kakashi was starting to regret not taking this seriously. He wasn’t even wearing a new uniform; this one had a few holes on his sleeves from a few missions ago. He sighed.
Tsunade amplified voice boomed from the speakers. “And the winner for a date with Maito Gai is number 73 for 1.23 million Ryo! Come on up here to take a picture with your future date!”
Kakashi grimaced as he took a seat. That was a lot of money; if he couldn’t do better then he would be paying for Gai’s vacation. Konohamu popped in his head to summon Genma, who clapped Kakashi on the back as he passed by. Kakashi rubbed his temples as Tsunade began the second date auction, wishing he could rewind the day to purchase a decent set of clothes. Everything he owned had been ruined during past missions.
Gai’s auction was the only one to break the million Ryo mark, although most were close in the nine hundred range.
“Kakashi-sensei, you’re up,” Konohamaru said as he covered the microphone headset with this hand. He raised an eyebrow. “You’re going out dressed like that?”
Kakashi narrowed his eyes and Konohamaru scampered off. He grimaced as he finished off the last of his drink. He caught his reflection from a mirror on the wall and ran his hand through his hair. Great, he was overdue for a trim as well.
Blinking as his eyes adjusted to the bright stage lights, Kakashi evaluated the drunken crowd. They were mostly women; this fundraiser had only held dates with male participants. A feeling of unease grew as he looked out at their flushed faces and hungry eyes; Kakashi tamped down the urge to take a defensive stance.
Tsunade gave a fond pat to Kakashi’s shoulder as he reached the podium. “We wrap up our Charity Dating Auction with the man of a Thousand Jutsu, Hatake Kakashi! He’s a fairly private man, so now’s your chance to have some one-on-one time with Konoha’s Infamous Copy Ninja! We start our bidding at twenty-five thousand Ryo!”
The paddles went up right away. Kakashi wasn’t certain how early Tsunade had hit the sake, but she didn’t miss a step as she rattled off the numbers. It didn’t take long for Kakashi to realize that he had a very specific admirer in the crowd.
Grey-haired and wearing clothing from Waterfall, the woman kept her bidding paddle up as the price grew. Kakashi had met her during an escort mission ten years ago. The mission was memorable because he had been so damn uncomfortable the entire time. She had shamelessly invited him to her bed every single night. The cougar’s children were unimpressed; Kakashi was around the same age they were.
The voting began to stall around 800,000 Ryo because she was always ready with a counter bid. The Cougar blew him a kiss when Kakashi made eye contact with her. He ground his teeth and clenched his fists. Not only was he going to lose to Gai, he was going to have to spend time with this woman.
Kakashi scanned the crowd, hoping to see someone who might save him. He recognized the daughter of a popular weapons merchant ordering from the bar. The woman who owned a pair of popular boutiques around the village was chatting with Inuzuka Hana. Kakashi also spotted the heir to the Fukuda clan, which were wealthy but humble clan. They had the funds to save him from the thirsty old woman from Waterfall but weren’t paying attention to his auction.
Fuck
Kakashi stepped over to Tsunade, covering the microphone as he whispered into her ear. Tsunade gaped at him when he finished.
“Are you certain?” Tsunade asked. He could see the money symbols in her eyes.
Kakashi nodded grimly before returning to his previous spot. Winning a paid vacation would be nice, but his priorites had shifted to avoiding The Cougar.
“A brief pause in our auction for some exciting news! Not only will you be treated to a full course meal at one of our finest restaurants, Kakashi has confirmed you will see him unmasked during the date.”
The room gasped in unison.
“One million Ryo!” Inuzuka Hana shot up to stand on her seat.
“I hear one million! Do I hear one million ten thousand?”
The Cougar glared at Hana as she raised her paddle. Kakashi was beginning to dislike the number twenty-three.
“Twenty thousand,” countered Fukuda Chikako in a slightly slurred voice.
“Thirty,” replied Cougar Twenty-Three.
“Fifty!” retorted Hana as she slammed a foot on the dining table.
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief as the bidding picked up again. The Cougar wasn’t as swift with the response now that they had passed the one million mark. But the voting among the Konoha citizens had grown into a frenzy. Another minute and Kakashi beat Gai’s top bid. He was going to need that vacation immediately if the cougar won.
The auction began to slow down again as the bidding approached the two million mark. The Cougar was still in the running although she scowled every time someone countered. Hana was stabbing a kunai into her placard; Chikako had forced her out during her last bid.
“Do I hear 1.950 million Ryo?” The room held its breath. “950?”
“Two million.” Kakashi huffed as the cougar raised paddle twenty-three once more. How much money was this woman willing to spend?
Chikako shook her head at Tsunade asked her for a counteroffer. Kakashi broke into a sweat.
No No No No!
“Two million going once, anyone with a counter? Two million, going twice—”
The Cougar gave a horrific smile as she raised a glass to her lips.
“THREE MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND RYO!”
The glass of water fell from The Cougar’s hand and shattered on the floor. Everyone turned to the back to see the new bidder. Kakashi gaped as the familiar face downed a shot as she waved her paddle.
Tsunade snapped her mouth shut and cleared her throat. “Three million, four hundred, and fifty thousand Ryo. Do I hear sixty thousand?” The room was utterly silent as everyone shook their heads. The Cougar threw her paddle on the floor as she picked up her things. “Going once—”
Someone chuckled as the cougar toddled across the room to the exit.
“—going twice—"
Sakura did a victory twerk in Hinata’s direction. Shikamaru covered his eyes.
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table. “Bidding is closed! And that concludes our last auction with a closing bid of three million, four hundred, and fifty thousand Ryo for a date with Hatake Kakashi!” Tsunade polished off the drink that was hiding in her podium as Sakura made her way to the stage. “Haruno Sakura, thank you so much for your generous donation. Come here for a photograph with your date!”
Sakura trotted up to the stage, a huge smile on her face as she accepted a handshake from Tsunade. She raised a hand to Kakashi’s face, her thumb brushing over his lips before sliding her hand down his shoulder to grip his forearm. The move was so feminine and flirty that Kakashi’s heart stuttered in his chest. Sakura leaned into him, bringing the smell of perfume and sake. She whispered in his ear as the photographer took his position.
“I’m finally going to have you just like I want, Kakashi-sensei.”
Sakura’s nails dug possessively into his skin thanks to the holes in his shirt. Kakashi smiled blandly into the camera as his mind whirred with a horrible realization.
He may have won the bet against Gai.
He didn’t have a date with The Cougar.
But he was still utterly fucked.
The dinner took place in a small beach town three hours south of Konoha. Standing outside of the restaurant, Kakashi’s mouth watered. He checked that the loops of his paper mask were secure before stepping inside. Tsunade had reserved the entire restaurant for the Charity Dates. The restaurant had been sectioned off for privacy with flowery curtains. Aburame Shino stat in a chair near the entrance, nodding at Kakashi when they made eye contact.
Kakashi’s mission scroll had mentioned that there would be a date supervisor on the scene to report. Tsunade wanted to ensure both parties would be on their best behavior during the dinner. Kakashi believed it was Tsunade’s way of ensuring the participants showed up in their mission-mandated attire. Yes, the restaurant had a nice beach theme going on. But Tsuande could have let them wear a shirt along with the swim trunks.
“Reservation B,” Kakashi said to restaurant worker who standing at the podium. One of the interior pockets of his jounin vest was rubbing against his nipple; he resisted the urge to scratch it.
“Right this way,” the server responded, who didn’t seem at all surprised about Kakashi’s random attire. "Make certain you lose the vest."
The server parted the curtain to allow Kakashi to step in, to an empty room with a table set for two. A cheery fire in the corner of the room gave enough light to see, but still provided a sense of privacy and coziness. And a line of sconces lined the wall with hanging flowers. Kakashi unzipped his jounin vest and draped it over the seat of his chair before sitting down.
Kakashi rubbed his chest, trying to get rid of the goosebumps that had erupted over his skin. Moving aside the pineapple centerpiece, he picked up the menu.
“You’re still wearing your mask.”
Kakashi skimmed the entrees, looking up when Sakura’s footsteps stopped.
Oh
“Is that a coconut bra?” Kakashi asked as he took in Sakura’s attire, or lack of it. He suddenly felt a lot less self-conscious about being shirtless.
“This isn’t a real date so I thought I would have a bit of fun and go along with the theme.” Sakura twirled in place, causing her bathing suit sarong to flutter. “It’s not too much, is it?”
Too much?
“It’s perfect,” Kakashi replied after finding his voice. He stared at her chest as she took a seat, his mind open to new, wonderful possibilities. He poured Sakura a glass of water as he took a deep breath, trying to ground himself back into reality. This was Sakura, after all. No need to lose his cool yet.
“You better not try to charm your way out of showing me your face, Kakashi.” Sakura waggled her finger at him.
“Maaa, that’s not fair. I am required by Tsunade to be charming during this dinner. If I’m not, she might stick me in the missions’ office to take reports for three months.” Kakashi slid the menu in her direction after pointing out what he wanted to the server. “I’ll take the mask off when dinner is served. This face is only for you.”
Sakura bit her lip and looked away. “What did I just say about the charm? You don’t have to do that. This isn’t a real date,” she said as she looked down at the menu.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. That was an odd statement to say twice. It sounded an awful lot like Sakura was trying to convince herself. He observed her as she scanned the menu. Sakura had grown her hair out since the last time he saw her seven months ago. She had curled her hair in soft waves that came down mid-back. It was pinned away from her face with a large tropical flower behind her ear. And while it wasn’t unusual for Sakura to wear make-up, her choices this time around were definitely bolder.
‘Especially her lipstick,’ Kakashi thought, as her lips formed a pout.
Sakura plucked at a lock of hair by her ear. “Is there something wrong with my face? You’re staring.”
“I was”—Kakashi hesitated, hoping he was reading the signals right— “admiring.” He tilted his head to the side. “It’s not just the Tsunade-mandated charm. You really do look lovely.”
A blush bloomed on Sakura’s face as she laughed; Kakashi watched the flush crawl down her neck. He wondered what it would take to make it trail further down to her chest. Feeling warm, he polished off his ice water.
Damn coconut bra.
Fortunately, the server stepped into the room to deliver their food. Kakashi used the opportunity to evaluate his situation. On one hand, he could be reading the signals wrong. He might ruin their amicable, but somewhat distant, relationship. Tsuande wouldn’t care about it and put them together on frequent missions, leading to months of awkwardness. On the other hand, Sakura was very handsy with him during the bidding auction.
On a third hand, they both weren’t wearing shirts, so it could be the beach setting.
Sakura squirmed in her seat as the server returned with their plates, practically vibrating in anticipation for his face reveal. Kakashi chuckled as the server vanished behind the curtain. “Impatient?” he asked as tugged at one of the earloops.
“I’ve been waiting half my life for yo—” Sakura’s jaw dropped as the mask came off. Kakashi smiled, delighted with her reaction. “Unngh. You—uh—houfff.” She covered her face with her hands.
Kakashi chuckled as he reached for his chopsticks. There was no use in letting his food grow cold while she recovered. He caught her peeking at him between her fingers as he took a bite of food. She squeaked.
“Is something wrong?” Kakashi asked, wondering why she was acting so timid. Where was the woman who had struck fear in him the night of the auction?
Sakura took her hand away from her face to glare at him. “Don’t take the innocent route. You know very well how attractive you are.” She moaned, a sound that little to stave off Kakashi’s growing interest. “What the hell is up with your teeth? Are you an Inuzuka?” She poured some alcohol into her cup and slammed it down.
Kakashi nibbled at his roasted eggplant. “My nose is sensitive because my great-grandmother was a branch member. I have to wear a mask because don’t have any of their clan jutsu to control it.”
“You’re so hot,” Sakura said miserably as she refilled her glass. “I wish you were wearing a shirt. How the hell can I concentrate on my food when your nipples are right there?”
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. Interesting. Charity Auction Sakura had definitely been on the tipsy side. Maybe Sober Sakura was just a little shy? He raised an elbow on the table so he could rest his chin in his hand. “I’m sure you’ll manage. I would love to hear about your six-month trip to Mist. Did you try the mackerel?”
Sakura laughed, the tension in her shoulders melting away. “Oh my god, not the mackerl! That stuff is disgusting.”
“It’s definitely an acquired taste. I've never met a visitor in the country enjoy it.”
“It was a long six months in Mist. I was making antidotes the entire time, and it was so boring. Most of it was stuff that I had learned how to make five years ago. I spent everything I earned on that mission on this date—I mean— this dinner.” Sakura poked at her food. “Ino had bought the dinner ticket and a bidding paddle for me. I had tossed the paddle in the lobby trashcan because I wasn’t planning on bidding. I had to dig it out of the trash when you changed the rules. I came back into the room and heard Tsunade was about to close the bidding. I didn’t know what was the final number, so I bid as high as I could afford. If anyone deserved to see your face, it was me, and not some old bat from another country.”
“I hope you think it was worth every Ryo”—Kakashi gave her a sly smile— "to have me for the entire night.”
Sakura’s chopstick froze halfway to her mouth as her jaw dropped. “What?” Kakashi’s responded with a wink. “Oh my god, are you flirting with me?”
Kakashi kept eye contact as he finished chewing his food, and then deliberately trailed his eyes down to stare at her breasts. He was fascinated by her fuzzy bra. Was it made from a real coconut or was it synthetic? His hand twitched, eager to find out. “Yes. Do you want me to stop?”
Sakura blinked, her mouth parted. Her eyes flickered down to his chest; Kakashi flexed his pecs.
She laughed in delight, her hand rising to cover her growing smile. She turned away to look at one of the sconces on the wall. He waited patiently for her response as he continued eating his rice. If she said no, he would continue as they always had, sticking to conversations about missions and jutsu. After dinner, he would put his jounin vest back on, and walk her to room as he told her goodnight. Then, he would avoid her for three months so the awkwardness could pass.
If she said yes, Kakashi would do everything he could to find out what was hiding behind her coconuts.
Sakura turned back to him, her hand returning to her chopsticks. He smiles on her face had turned dangerous, a coy smirk that Kakashi was compelled to return.
“Do you want me to stop?” he repeated as Sakura took a bite of her food. A bit of sauce ended up on the corner of her mouth.
“No,” Sakura replied, slowly dragging her tongue over her lip to wipe up the sauce. Kakashi clenched his fist at the provocative gesture; there was no reason for her to act like that so early into dinner.
Sakura fluttered her eyelashes. “Is something wrong, Kakashi?” She took another slow bite, her mouth parting to show her pink tongue.
“No,” Kakashi said, his voice deeper than had been a moment ago. He hated that she was already pulling at the delicate threads of his sanity, and it was only the main course. The erection that had been threatening to grow since she walked in the room could no longer be willed away. “More water?” He raised the pitcher, topping off his own cup.
“I’m good,” Sakura pointed to the bottle of sake next to her.
“Excellent.” Kakashi poured the pitcher of ice water directly on his chest, wincing as the cool water pooled onto his crotch. He grabbed one of the ice cubes in his lab and rubbed it along his upper body, giving extra care to each of his nipples.
Sakura was panting from across the table. “Oh my god!” Her hand reached for the sake and she slammed the rest of the bottled back. “I’m done with my dinner, are you?”
Kakashi took a look at his half-eaten plate. “I think so.” The ice cubes in his lap clattered to the floor when he stood. He held his jounin vest in front of his crotch to hide the damp spot. “Lead the way, Sakura.“
It was easy for Kakashi and Sakura to make a quick exit out the door since the dinner was free. Kakashi figured that Shino would inform the staff of their sudden disappearance since he was still standing guard at the entrance. He had definitely heard at least some of the details from his kikaichu; Shino tugged his hood as far down as it could go when they passed him at the entrance.
Kakashi remembered a time when the Sandaime had sent him on these sort of missions as an ANBU when he thought Kakashi was getting a bit too reckless with his life. Nothing like a healthy dose of second-hand embarrassment to make you feel like a human. Kakashi wondered what Shino had done to irritate Tsunade to end up with such a mission. But he didn’t waste much time thinking about Shino, there was more important things on his mind.
For instance, Sakura had a very pleasant way of swishing her hips as she walked. She was leading him away from the hotel room and towards the beach. A nice place for some quiet ambience, although sand could be very inconvenient for any frisky business. Kakashi stuffed his old jounin vest into a rubbish bin by lamppost as the past by, wincing as the air made the damp spot on his shorts grow cooler.
Kakashi was so distracted at watching her that he didn’t notice Sakura leading him to a building until they were at the entrance. He stopped dead in his tracks as she vanished inside. He stepped back, looking up at the neon sign that was glowing cheerfully on the building.
Kakashi huffed.
Sakura toying with him.
He backtracked to the sidewalk, leaning against the lamppost and folded his hands in front of his lap to hide the drying spot. He nodded at the group of people that passed to enter the building. It took five minutes, but Sakura finally exited the building to join him back on the sidewalk.
“Is something wrong, Kakashi?” She asked in a sly tone. “I’ve never gone bowling before and I thought we could have some fun.”
Kakashi clenched his jaw. He was going to make her pay for her joke. “Sakura, do you honestly think I’m going to go bowling with hard nipples?” To prove his point, grabbed her wrist and placed it on her chest so she could feel for herself.
He watched her bite her lip as she trailed her hands down his chest. This close to her, he could smell her coconut lotion. A mischievous smile crossed her face as she grabbed him by the wrist and lead him across the street to the beach. The last streetlamp faded behind them as they made their way closer to the water. Sakura’s sarong flattened against her hips and rear as under the wind; Kakashi trailed two steps behind her to admire the view. Sakura paused, raising a foot to slip off her sandal.
“Hold these for me,” she said as she shoved her shoes in his arms. She trotted across the beach to perform a series of cartwheels; causing the sarong tangle between her legs. Kakashi laughed as she attempts to straighten it, the wind did little to help her cause. She paused at the sound of his laugh.
“I was worried I was the only one having fun. Are you going to do any cartwheels?”
“It’s not something I do for fun.” Kakashi walked forward to join her, pleased that she comfortable with how close he was standing. The night had been progressing strangely. He thought that they were on the same track, but then she would do something that made him doubt.
Was she acting playful because she was nervous? Or was this just the age difference between them, leaving him awkward and uncertain under her youthful exuberance?
Sakura raised a hand dip into the waistband of his shorts, her fingertips sliding just under the elastic. “What sort of fun things do you like then?” she asked in an innocent tone.
“Oh, just the usual. Reading Icha Icha on the rooftops of Konoha, challenges with Gai,”—Kakashi’s hands landed on his hips to pull her against him as he leaned forward— “fucking women until they can’t walk.”
The sound of Sakura’s staggered breathing caused him to smirk. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to bask in the moment. The crashing of the waves on the shore, of her coconut lotion that made her smell downright edible. The closeness he felt with woman that he trusted implicitly; soft and willing who had dressed up for him.
“That last one is new,” she replied in a weak voice.
“Not really.” Kakashi slid his hands up the smooth expanse of her back. One hand toyed with the tie of her top while the other cupped her left breast. The shell was synthetic, but there wasn’t any give, leaving Kakashi to rub this thumb on the soft fibers rather that her skin. “I’ve never shared that with you before because it would have been inappropriate.”
Although Kakashi had no qualms about what was going to happen; he suspected that Sakura might. The beach was a nice setting; it made the whole thing feel more like a fantasy. Sakura probably didn’t want to deal with the sort of questions that were in the back of his own mind.
One this just a one-time thing?
What would happen if they had zero chemistry and the whole thing was just an embarrassing and expensive mistake?
Would they be able to just walk away after tonight and pretend everything was the same?
If not, would their already distant relationship vanish to nonexistence?
Sakura stepped away from him. “What are we doing?”
Kakashi would just have to do his best to wipe the doubt from her mind. They wouldn’t ever find out the answer if they kept bantering instead of doing something about it. He cupped her chin, dragging his thumb over her mouth to find it in the dark to capture her lips in a kiss. She returned the kiss enthusiastically, her hands exploring his back with fervor.
The sensation of the coconut bra against his chest made reminded Kakashi of his other goals. He tore his mouth away to nibble and suck his way down to her neck, reveling in the delightful sounds coming from her mouth. A nip to shoulder made her squeak that caused him to chuckle.
Not a moment later Sakura retaliated as she shoved her hand down into his shorts. Kakashi tilted his head back as he groaned, closing his eyes once more as he gripped her shoulders to keep his balance. Her hand explored him confidently, placing just the right amount of pressure right where he needed it. Kakashi came back to himself as her other hand began to tug at the elastic on his waist to pull his shorts down. He would soon be too far gone to continue.
Kakashi batted her hand away as he leaned down to kiss her for a brief moment before kissing the top of her shoulders. His hand returned to her back, pinching the tie between his fingers to undo it. Kakashi’s mouth came in contact with the strings of her top, his mouth forming a smirk as it caught between his teeth. Growling, he jerked his head up as he pulled at the back tie. He ground the strap between his incisors; Sakura gasped as the string broke with an audible snap. The bra came undone as she stepped way, held in Kakashi right hand.
Kakashi couldn’t see much of her in the dark. But knowing that she was standing just a few feet away from him topless was enough. He tossed the ruined bra to the side. “Come here,” he rasped as he sank to his knees. The change in position kept her hands away from the more dangerous zones, while giving him easy access to hers.
It was long before she was writhing in his arms, her hips grinding unashamedly into his hand at her core as he nipped at any bare skin he could find. She was making the most glorious noises; her hand gripping his shoulders for balance. Kakashi wanted nothing more than the throw her down to the ground and to have his way with her.
But they were on fucking beach.
Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore.
Kakashi yanked his hand from inside her and pushed her away to step back.
Sakura made a noise of disappointment. “Is something wrong?”
“No.”
Yes.
Kakashi should have insisted that they go to the apartment. The sand was already sticking to his knees and calves. He would have to wash it off before they could proceed and his erection was starting to get painful. He turned and walked away from her, taking a deep breath of salty air to regain control.
“Wait!” Sakura was muttering swear words as she searched for her bra. “Where are you going?”
Kakashi paused, taking another deep breath as turned back to her. He was grateful for the dark; he suspected the look on her face was murderous.
“I changed my mind about going bowling. It sounds like fun.” Kakashi savored her stunned silence. It was just as much fun teasing Sakura now as it was a decade ago. Only now he had a whole host of new ways in which he could do so.
“Oh.” Kakashi felt a twinge of guilt at her disappointed tone. “That does sound fun.”
“No. It sounds terrible. I’m going back to the room because it’s really important we wash this sand off before continuing.”
“Fuck! Kakashi! I was so close to finishing!”
Kakashi laughed as her sandal hit him in the shoulder. “Maaa, if you led me to your room then we would have been done with the first round by now. Come on, I’ll shunshin us there.” He continued walking until he hit pavement, leaning down the knock some of the sand off his sweating body. Sakura had abandoned her search for her ruined bra, thankfully the street was deserted. Kakashi was too busy staring at Sakura’s breasts to the block the punch she aimed at his shoulder.
“You ass! I thought you changed your mind about me,” she grumbled as she bent down to wipe some of the sand off her body. The action caused the tie of her sarong to come undone and he watched in amusement as the wind sent it flying away. She swore.
“I’ll buy you another one,” Kakashi said.
“You don’t have to do that.”
Kakashi hummed as he wrapped an arm around her. “I’m feeling generous. Now how about that shower?”
They vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Three weeks later…
Kakashi couldn’t believe it, but Sakura was avoiding him.
It was an unusual position to be in; he had always been the one to do the avoiding in previous relationships. He realized he had let it go too far when he saw Sakura’s hair poking out from underneath a trash can lid. Yamanaka Ino had cheerfully informed him that Sakura lived nearby, writing the apartment number on a scrap piece of paper as she gave Kakashi a wink. Sakura lived in a complex a couple of blocks down the road from his own.
Sakura’s shoulders slumped when she noticed Kakashi waiting at her door the next day. “Good evening.”
“We need to talk.” He tucked a book into his pocket as he moved away from her doorway.
“I’m surprised that you weren’t waiting inside.” Sakura fiddled with the lock.
“I used to do that because I knew you wouldn’t care. That's not the case anymore.” Truthfully, Kakashi had considered entering through her window but was afraid she might punch him to village gates for violating her privacy.
Sakura ushered him inside her sparsely-decorated apartment. There were a few unopened boxes in the corner of the living room next to an empty bookcase. She clearly hadn’t finished settling in since she moved in. Kakashi settled on the couch, placing one of her pillows in his lap so Sakura could take a seat next to him. Sakura ignored the unspoken invitation, choosing to lean against the wall.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Sakura said an innocent tone. She whipped out an emery board from a pocket and began to file her nails.
Ah, so it was going to be like that.
“I wanted to check in with you since I haven’t seen you since the date. I came out of the shower and you had already left. I went to the front desk because I was going to invite you to breakfast and I found out you had already checked out of the hotel.” Kakashi cleared his throat when Sakura continued to stare at her nails. “I just wanted to make certain that everything is fine between us.”
“Yes.” Sakura arched an eyebrow. “Do you check in on every woman you sleep with?”
Kakashi frowned, frustrated once more by his inability to read her. It had been like this since she returned from her mission in Mist. “I don’t have a habit of it. But I don’t think that’s a fair comparison since we’ve known each other for a long while. You’re far more important to me than they were.”
Sakura blushed, a faint smile rising to her lips before her body language closed off again. Kakashi sighed, realizing that he would have to put himself out there since Sakura was unwilling to take the lead in the conversation.
“During the date—”
“The charity date,” Sakura interrupted.
“—I had a good time and I thought I wasn’t the only one to have fun. I—”
“You wanted a repeat performance.” Sakura rolled her eyes. Kakashi eye’s widened as she started unbuttoning her top. “Okay, well, fine. Let’s go.” Sakura shook her hair as she dropped the shirt on the floor.
Kakashi gripped the pillow in his lap when he saw the lacy pattern of her bra. He swallowed, wondering how it had come to this. “I came here to talk,” he said reluctantly as he tore his eyes away from her chest to look at her face. “Did you have fun too?”
“Of course.” She did a little shimmy, causing Kakashi's mouth to grow dry. “I wouldn’t be like this if you were disappointing.”
“Then why are you hiding?”
“I don’t know! Shouldn’t you be focused on other things right now?” Sakura began to fondle one of her breasts.
Shit.
Kakashi squeezed his eyes shut. Sakura was doing everything in her power to distract him from the conversation. It probably would have worked too, but Kakashi had spent the better part of a month ruminating on this strange new turn in their relationship. There were a lot of lines that had grown blurry. He wanted answers.
“Please tell me what’s going on”—Kakashi hesitated—“Baby Girl.” He cracked an eye open to see her reaction.
Sakura’s jaw dropped. “Baby Girl?” she echoed faintly. Her face broke out in joy as she began to chortle. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.
“Please, Sakura. Please, have mercy on me.” Sakura continued to laugh. Kakashi wanted to pull his hair out; this whole evening was a disaster. “I’m trying.”
Sakura wiped the tears from her face and as she took a seat next to him on the couch. Kakashi shoved the pillow on his lap in her arms to hide her chest.
“Can we talk now?” he asked.
Sakura sighed as she squeezed the pillow. “I had a lot of fun that night too. And it was good. It was very good. I had no idea you were that…ah… flexible. It makes sense since you’re a shinobi and all and I think probably any nin in Konoha could probably do it that way but I’ve never had anyone else offer to—” Sakura snapped her jaw shut as she realized she was rambling.
“Ah.” Kakashi cleared his throat as he felt a heat rise to his face. “To be honest I was trying to impress you.”
“I was!” Sakura wiggled in the couch seat. “I’ve never had anyone else offer to do it that way. I thought it was a little ridiculous when you told me to ‘hop on’ but you made me a believer. Although, I supposed it depends on your partner’s stamina; it couldn’t have been that comfortable for you. Do you know any other ways we, er… um… nevermind.”
Kakashi clenched his jaw. He did, in fact, know several other positions that he would gladly like to try out with her. “What I don’t understand is why you would rather hide in a trash can than talk to me.”
“Fine! It has nothing to do with you. I sort of—" Sakura raised the pillow to her face and the rest of the sentence was muffled.
“I have no idea what you just said.”
Sakura whacked him on his shoulders with the pillow. “I like you! Don’t be a jerk about it!”
“I like you too.” Kakashi scratched his chin. “I don’t see how that’s a problem.”
“Ugh!” Sakura pointed angrily at him. “I wasn’t supposed to like you! This stupid dinner was just supposed to be a chance to see your face! You weren’t supposed to be handsome! And I wasn’t… I mean... ugh!” Sakura began to pace back and forth over the small room. “I mean, just look at your arms!”
Kakashi frowned, looking down at his limbs. “They look normal to me.”
“Of course, they do! But you’re always covered from head to toe. Any time you flash the barest amount of skin you send people in shock! I’ve treated people at the hospital because you’ve flashed them a bit of your forearms!”
“Really?” Kakashi had not heard that bit of gossip before and he was disappointed it took him so long to find out. He tucked that bit information away. He should only roll up his sleeves for the better good. Or perhaps a free meal.
Sakura scowled. “I was genuinely looking forward to having a normal dinner and then you flirted back and I didn’t know what to think. Because you’re attractive and interesting. Most of the guys I meet bore me out of my mind because they try too hard to impress me. They aren’t trying to get to know me at all."
“I get asked out. A lot.” Sakura glared at Kakashi as if trying to impress how easily he could be replaced. “And most of my dates get bored when I talk about medical stuff, but I spend fifty percent of my time in a lab. It’s nice having a conversation with someone who can follow along. I’ve had fantasies that were less intense that my time with you. I wasn’t planning on liking you, Kakashi! Do you know how embarrassed I am?”
“You’re embarrassed by me?”
“No.”
Kakashi frowned. “So, you’re embarrassed by yourself?”
“No!”
Kakashi stared at his feet. There was something about talking to women that left him deeply unsettled. He hummed, trying to figure out what she meant.
Sakura huffed. “I’ll explain it to you. Everyone knows that I used to have a crush on Sasuke, but then he ended up being you know, Sasuke. And then I thought I could make it work with Naruto since he liked me, but by then he liked Hinata. What are people going to think when they find out that I’m making my way through everyone on Team Seven?”
“You worry about other people think of you?” As soon as Kakashi uttered the question, he felt like kicking himself. He thought Tsunade had squashed Sakura’s insecurity during her training, but some of it was still there. Kakashi had never associated with her much beyond missions and the occasional training. He didn’t know her that well. But at her core, she was still Sakura. The woman with a big punch and an even bigger heart; someone who went all in.
Oh.
Sakura wasn’t worried about what the villagers thought; she was worried about what Kakashi thought. That’s why he had trouble reading her. She had been trying to keep aloof for his benefit, so she wouldn’t be stuck pining over yet another teammate who wouldn’t return her feelings. That’s why she had dismissed his offer to replace her lost sarong and why she had snuck out while he was in the shower.
“Sakura, I’m here because I’m interested in dating you in a real, non-charity way.”
“You don’t have to say that.”
Kakashi snorted. “I have no reason to lie. Most of the women I’ve dated don’t have the clearance level to hear about some of the more interesting stories I have; I’m sure you’ve noticed that as well. That’s why my relationships don’t last very long.”
“And you don’t think it’s weird to date me?” Sakura asked shyly as she sat next to him again.
“I did when you won the charity auction,” Kakashi replied. “It took me a little bit of time to get used to the idea, but I trust you, Sakura. That means a great deal to me. I’m not promising that it will work out long-term, but I think I would regret not trying.”
Sakura flung herself into his arms, crawling in his lab as she embraced him. “That’s a really strange way to invite me to dinner.”
Kakashi didn’t care much for worldly possessions, nearly everything he owned could be easily replaced. He had traveled all over the world and could live out of one bag of belongings. Money couldn’t give buy the one thing he enjoyed the most: freely given affection with no ulterior motive. He closed his eyes to enjoy the moment; taking a deep breath as he buried his nose into the juncture of Sakura’s neck. She smelled like lavender.
“I bought you something,” Kakashi said as he slid Sakura off of his lap. “I figured I owed you after what happened last time.” He stood up from the couch, bending down to pick up her top and hand it back to her.
Confused, Sakura put her shirt back on as she followed Kakashi to the kitchen. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t get too attached to him. His longest relationship had lasted three months. If she followed his lead, she would be just fine.
“Please tell me it wasn’t a sarong. No offense, but I don’t trust your taste in clothing. The only things you wear are uniforms.” She looked at one he was wearing currently, trying to see if there were any holes in it from random senbon.
Kakashi chuckled as he withdrew a scroll from his pocket and opened it. “We left the restaurant last time before we had a chance to eat.” The dinner he purchased from the restaurant was still piping hot thanks to the seals on the scroll. “I think this is what you ordered for dinner.”
“Oh my god,” Sakura muttered as she stared at the kitchen table. Kakashi pulled out the seat as she stared at the food in a daze. He had gotten the order correct, right down the shredded ginger she asked for on the side. She raised a chopstick to raise a slice of fish to her mouth, moaning as it fell apart with the slightest pressure of her tongue. “It’s perfect,” she said at his expectant gaze.
“I’m glad,” said Kakashi. He gave her a wink as he tugged down his mask. “I guess I don’t need to wear this for the moment.”
Sakura’s heart hammered in her chest as she drank in the sight of Kakashi’s glorious face. She told herself that she was going to keep the relationship casual; she would follow his lead.
But Kakashi had gone to a restaurant three hours away to buy dinner.
For her.
Wasn’t she utterly fucked?