I Witnessed You

by HelHoneyHearth

Summary:

They'd grown so close. She'd come to love the friendship she'd built with the elusive Copy Ninja.
Would she be willing to risk a friendship for more?
Could she deny herself what she'd been feeling...?
The draw.
The crave.
The pull.

Was he lying to her-- or was she simply lying to herself?

Chapter 1

Sakura considered herself a patient woman...for the most part.  

Well, she supposed it depended on who her patience was pertaining to.  

If it was sick or wounded children in the hospital; elders come to visit their grandchildren or visa versa, bearing bad news and allowing the patient time to process the information—she had all the patience in the world. She had lost count of the overtime she’s clocked in at the hospital—all because she was patient.  

Now, when it came to situations where common sense  should  rule—being always considering they were all adult shinobi—Sakura had little to no patience.  

For example, she had no patience for Naruto’s supposed stupidity when she knew by this point 9 times out of 10 he was simply playing the dumb card to get a rise out of people. Even in his nearly late 20’s, the guy could be a fucking dunce and she knew he knew better—so she really had no hesitation in giving him a good smack upside the head. Additionally, when it came to a certain white-haired know-it-all, she’d long lost her patience with him, too. Sakura had spent enough of her time chewing at her nails restlessly while said individual got “lost on the path of life.”  

Lost, her ass.  

More like he’d had one too many with Guy or Asuma, or he’d spend all hours of the night reading another spicy novel. He was just as much of an adult and they all were, and knew about punctuation just like they did. While everyone else considered his tardiness a character trait, it only served to aggravate her beyond all means. And, at this point, he knew it pressed a particular button of hers—so he took sick joy in pressing it as often as possible.  

As a matter of fact, Kakashi’s main mission in life was making Sakura’s a living hell.  

When the war came and went, a lot changed—not just for Sakura, but for everyone in Konoha. The bond between the fellow shinobi who fought and survived became stronger; there was a look of knowing that would pass between the gaze of others, the solidarity that tied them all together. Nothing was the same, there was a shift across every realm possible—and that included her relationship with Kakashi. At one point there was a noticeable difference between the two of them. She’d always seen him under the light of a sensei, and while she still held a deep respect for him, those lines between student and teacher were brutally blurred come the war. She wasn’t just some kid learning how to throw a kunai, and he wasn’t just some kid still mourning the loss of his loved ones while juggling both a kyuubi container and a boy hellbent on the death of his own brother...  

Everything changed.  

They’d become friends, in a manner Sakura had never experienced before. While she had friends, like Ino and Naruto, she’d never had a friendship quite like the one she had with the silver-haired man. It was strange, but she felt like “one of the guys,” if that made any sense. She’s spent years of her life feeling like she could never simply fit in, working hard to prove that she wasn’t some cry baby—to tossing back sake with Kakashi and the other jonin. It was weird how it flipped, but no one asked questions considering they’d all been witness to the craters she’d punched into the soil during the war. No one was better than the other, at this point. They had all become equals, companions and soldiers come out of a hell of a fight.  

So, no one asked questions when they started simply hanging out...as friends. A drink here, lunch there. Post mission shooting the shit while filling out reports, and even playing wingman for each other from time to time. She found that, for as insufferable as the man was, he made a good companion. He was reliable, albeit late. He was honest, even if she didn’t want to hear it. She’d always known he was a smart ass, but he really had a knack for letting the sarcasm drip. Before she’d always thought he was quite serious, when in reality it took a lot to get him to take things seriously—which meant shit was serious. They had a lot in common, she found out, and they were comfortable in each other’s company. They worked well as a team during missions, and the weight of the world never seemed to carry into their friendship, rather—they were always doing their best to make sure the other one was doing okay.  

Which, to Kakashi, was being insufferable and teasing her at any shot he got. 
Which was why she had really, no patience for the man. 

Which, was why she was gazing out tall windows with a scoff on her lips, arms crossed and toes tapping in annoyance. Naruto was pacing back and forth in the small block that was the Hokage office, hands on his hips and head tipped back as he sighed loudly. Tsunade leaned back into the large chair, crossing her own arms and watching the man with astute eyes.  

Naruto dropped his jaw, “How much--”  

“Ah,” Tsunade cut sharply, holding up a dainty hand, “don’t you say it, Naru--”  

“-- longer till --”  

Tsunade slammed her fist down on the table, causing the sake glass to rattle, “Enough!”  

Naruto paused, slouching over and groaning loudly, “Come  on,  Granny! You cannot tell me that we have to sit here and just wait for Shika to give you intel. Why not just call us in after—if you even needed us??”  

The woman pinched the bridge of her nose, eyes closing as if to gather herself, “It’s  because of what Shika is coming to report that I need the both of you in here. Stop asking questions—I'm the Hokage, what I say goes.”  

Naruto toed the floor, scowling and muttering, “Still seems like a waste of time...” He picked his gaze back up, “Can you at least tell us what this is about?”  

Sakura turned, “Is it not obvious?”  

Naruto grimaced, “What??”  

“Who has been gone for like, a week??”  

“I don’t know??” Naruto hummed, blonde brows furrowing, “Ninja come and go all the time-- I don’t pay attention.”  

“But if they’re Hinata you do,” Sakura teased, satisfied at the blush that rose to whiskered cheeks.  

Naruto opened his mouth to speak when the door burst open, Shika bolting through and nearly clamoring into Tsunade’s desk. He braced each hand on either side, head dipped and huffing.  

Tsunade stood, pressing, “So??”  

Shika picked up his head, swallowing and chuffing, “Bad.”  

Thin brows quirked in surprise, “Bad??”  

Shikamaru nodded, firm, “Bad.”  

“Shit,” she muttered, flicking gilded eyes over to Sakura and Naruto.  

Sakura marched to the front of the desk, “What?? What is going on?? What’s bad?”  

Tsunade glanced over and met Shika’s gaze before giving Sakura her attention, “It’s Kakashi.”  

“Kakashi??” Naruto asked at the same time Sakura barked, “Knew it.”  

“Yes, Kakashi,” Shika answered, straightening. He ran a hand along his hair, “A week ago we sent Kakashi on a very important, very confidential S-Rank mission. So S-Rank, that most of our own jonin would not have been able to complete it on our own. We had...have...full and complete trust in Kakashi to complete what we’ve asked of him—considering he’s...well, Kakashi.”  

“What was the mission?” Sakura pressed, pink brows knit.  

Tsunade shook her head, “We can’t tell you that. All we can tell you is that we received word that he is now in need of saving.”  

“Word?? From who??”  

“Again,” she quipped, handing over a scroll to Sakura, “I can’t tell you that.”  

Sakura snatched the scroll, growling, “What  can  you tell us?”  

Honey eyes narrowed, “What I can tell you is that there is a very notorious group of rouge nin who are more than likely torturing Kakashi for intel as we speak.”  

“What?!” Naruto shouted, tossing his own hands up. “He’s being  tortured?!”  

“ We cannot just sit here and assume they’re all playing cards, now can we?” Tsunade bit, scowling. She tapped the wood of the desk, “Knowing these particular ninja, I would say we’ve got an eight hour window—if we’re lucky.” She met Sakura’s gaze, “I need you, Naruto, and Shika to go to where we know they are hiding out and retrieve Kakashi.” Tsunade turned to Naruto, “ Retrieve. Kakashi. Only.”  

“ But, if they’re--” Naruto began.  

Tsunade shook her head, “No. This is a rescue only. No fights. In fact, they cannot even know  that the three of you have come and gone. This mission is complete stealth, and I expect you to adhere to what I’ve said.” She sucked in a breath, “Shika-- you want to tell them what you know?”  

Shika nodded, turning to face the two, “They’ve got some underground bunker going on. Like Tsunade said—we've got maybe eight hours, but the location is about five hours away. If you look at your scrolls, we’ve found a way in—it's getting out with Kakashi that’s going to be an issue. They’ve got traps set up practically everywhere—so we’ve got to be sharp at all times. Remember, this is a rescue mission. In and out—that's it.”  

“When do we leave?” Naruto piqued, practically bursting at the seams.  

Shika met his gaze, humming sharply, “Now.”  

---

She felt like a jackass, to be honest.  

One minute she was getting irritated, gritting her teeth at the thought that he’d just been taking his sweet time back—as he often did. The next she is studying a poorly drawn map of where they needed to enter and pressure from Shika to  hurry the fuck up.  

Really, she should have known that it was something serious.  

The problem was, nothing serious has really happened in so long that it almost seemed like a joke. There had been peace, for the most part, and the thought that someone could both capture and torture Kakashi was laughable. Yet, here she was; bounding as fast as she possibly could, jade eyes narrowed in focus at what could possibly be awaiting them once they arrived. She dreaded the thought of someone torturing her friend; breaking a finger, pulling a tooth out...  

Sakura grit her teeth, and pushed forward. She was side by side with Shika, Naruto just off to their left by a little. Hours passed, she was covered head to toe in sweat and dirt; her muscles burned and her stomach flipped with nerves she hadn’t felt in a good while. Despite all of this, she felt adrenaline, too. The furious pump of her blood that drove her to push herself hard, to see this through; to bring Kakashi home. It wasn’t long until Shika was coming to a halt, signaling for Sakura and Naruto to stop, too.  

Both shinobi joined him on the high branch, crouching down and leaning in as he went over their plans quickly—one last time. Since Sakura was the best at chakra control, she was tasked with actually getting into the bunker given the fact that she could suppress her chakra to practically nothing—her lithe frame helping her to slink where she needed to, be as invisible as possible. Naruto would take the south of the location and Shika would take the left; keeping a sharp eye out for anyone who could be trouble, waiting until they get the okay from Sakura to run in and help with Kakashi. The plan seemed almost stupid considering how dangerous these men were, but she figured it was best she go in and not Naruto—and that Shika be outside with Naruto should anything go wrong.  

“You’ve got exactly thirty minutes to get in there and be out,” Shika supplied, earnest. “If you’re not out in that time, Naruto and I are coming in—and that could get us in trouble. So, please—be as quick and as quiet as possible.”  

“Got it,” Sakura replied with a determined nod.  

Shika twirled his finger in the air, and in that instant they broke off; Naruto to the left, Shika to the right, while Sakura scaled her way down the tree. The moment her feet hit the forest floor, she made quick work of suppressing her chakra; slinking in and out of shadows the thick branches offered even in the night, making little to no noise as she moved closer and closer to where the map said the trap door would be. The pink-haired woman kept her eyes and ears sharp, giving her surroundings a thorough inspection before stepping out behind a tree to feel around the dirt. Several minutes passed as she sifted, pausing when fingertips brushed on what felt like a hinge. She felt her way around the door until she came upon the handle, noting how well hidden it was despite being told where it was supposed to be. She glanced around once more, quickly pressing the ear piece to rumble, “Hatch located. I’m going in.”  

“Be quick,” came Shika’s soft crackle. “Timer starts now.”  

Sakura nodded at nothing, letting her foot prop itself on what she was sure was a ladder. She inched her way down the haphazard metal, keen about all her senses for anything that could put her in more danger than she was already in. The narrow chute was nearly dark, save for the dull glow that radiated at the end of the steps and faintly stretched its way up the bottom of the chute. When she reached the bottom, she stay squat and gazed out; noting before her a hall that curved to the right and nothing else. In quick, careful strides she rounded the corner; eyes picking up only the flicker of the torches, the scuttle of a beetle along the dirt wall. She watched for any indication of traps, any paper bombs or seals; as she continued on, nothing stood out. She felt no presence, despite her own flattened chakra. She heard no voices, she didn’t pick up on absolutely anything.  

That made her suspicious.  

The hall ended and broke open into a single, rather wide room. Flames flickered in corners, casting that same pale light and causing the shadows of chairs lined along a wall to dance. There was a table where some cruel looking tools sat, and in the furthest corner was him.  

Kakashi.  

Hung up by the wrists with clunky metal shackles, head hung and feet dangling just above the floor itself. Even as she’d entered the room, he’d made no move to notice her, and when she slunk along the wall towards him, she speculated maybe he was passed out...and not dead.  

Please don’t be dead.  

The closer she got to the motionless man, the tighter her jaw became. He’d been stripped of most of his jonin uniform, left in nothing but the pants. His shock of hair covered his dipped head, and when she’d finally reached him, Sakura made no pause in reaching forward to brush her fingertips along the skin of his stomach. She began to run an incredibly small amount of chakra into him, teeth gritting as she watched gashes across his muscled chest stitch themselves closed. Sakura had been so focused on the damage done to him, that she nearly failed to notice the hum he emitted.  

She paused, whispering, “Kakashi?”  

In one swift, sloppy movement, Kakashi’s head swung up; along with two sets of eyes, an aristocratic nose, and full lips stretched into a wry grin. “Can’t play that trick on me again,” he sang, chuckling. “You know what they say—fool me once, shame on you. But really—the same tactic, twice?? Are you really--”  

Sakura started, jade eyes widening and words nearly escaping her.  

She had been so worried about healing him that she’d neglected to think about if he’d be wearing a mask or not considering he was shirtless. Twin orbs searched his face, took in every inch that at one time had her foaming at the mouth to discover when she was younger. Despite the blood that was crusted on top of his scalp, the man was both boyish and feline in appearance. The mask did his jawline no justice, and... the mask.  

He wasn’t wearing a mask.  

Sakura was looking at the bare face of Hatake Kakashi.  

Sakura was watching full lips that have versed thousands of jutsu's...speak freely, with nothing covering them.  

There was no barrier. For some reason, seeing his face...it felt incredibly intimate. The only way she could compare the intimacy of it, was if he was whipping his dick out right there. It was like  that.  Seeing something so private and personal...grinning at her. A beauty mark standing stark and perfect against his surprisingly flawless face—aside from the scar that bisected his eye.  

Sakura scowled.  

Fuck...had he always been this handsome?  

“Well?”  

Sakura blinked, coming back to the present. She cleared her throat, her hands that were on his stomach now burning even as she pulled them away. She met his gaze, hoping he couldn’t see her blush in the pallid light, “Kakashi, it’s Sakura. I’m here--”  

He tilted his head, and let out an annoyed huff as if he was unimpressed, “Here to fulfill my wildest fantasies—yeah, yeah, you tried that already.”  

Sakura shook her head, grimacing, “Huh?? Tried what already??”  

Dark eyes narrowed and Sakura met his gaze. He was talking, but the medic in her was preoccupied with the fact that his pupils were blown wide. She grabbed his chin suddenly, turning his head to the left and to the right; noting the flush along each cheek and down his neck.  

“Let me guess, you’re gonna give me a physical?” He chuckled, jerking his head out of her hands. Twin silver brows lifted, his expression nearly manic, “HA! Too bad that doesn’t work on me. I am immune to your ways because the real Sakura would never be so sweet. You’re better off stabbing me, like you’d done before.”  

“What??” Sakura hissed, glancing around before raising her voice slightly, “Kakashi-- what are you talking about??” She locked her eyes with his, humming, “Did...did they drug you?”  

Kakashi scoffed, “You tell me,  wise guy.”  

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, standing up on her tip toes to reach for the base of the shackles; painfully aware of the fact that his face was buried into her neck, his hot breath fanning her skin.  

Kakashi inhaled deeply, humming lowly, “You even  smell  like her—nice trick.”  

Sakura began to tug at the metal, using a little of her chakra to pry it out of the wall; leaping back when she felt teeth sink into the sensitive skin along the crook of her neck. She hissed at the painful sensation, confused at the rush of electricity that fluttered across her skin and to her core. She raised her hand back to hit him, stopping in place when his eyes widened like saucers and his expression fell.  

She’d laugh, if she wasn’t fucking pissed. Turns out the mask does more than make him mysterious. His face was quite expressive.  

“Holy shit,” he muttered. “You  are  Sakura...”  

“Yes,” she hissed back, letting her arm fall to her side with a slap. “I’m fucking Sakura—who did you think I was??”  

He glanced down briefly before he busted out in abrupt laughter. Genuine, hard laughter; head tipped back and all. Knowing they were running out of time, she reached up and used all of her strength to tug the shackles out of the wall; letting Kakashi fall before grabbing each end of the metal and using her strength stretching them open so his hands were free.  

“Why are you laughing?” She growled.  

He shook his head, tilted it back against the wall revealing the strong stretch of his neck. He glanced at her, the corner of his pretty mouth curling into a grin, “I just feel sorry for you, is all.”  

Sakura pressed her fingertips against his stomach, pushing in chakra to heal the rest of his body as quick as she could. She felt the muscles of his stomach clench in response, and she fought back the urge to blush; to keep her mind focused on the task on hand. They were well past their 30 minutes and she didn’t want to run the risk of all of them getting caught.  

Kakashi ducked his head, catching her eyes and smiling, “I mean—it’s hard, right?”  

Sakura scowled, “What’s hard?”  

“Seeing how heartbreakingly handsome I am,” he chuckled, tilting his head to show off a sharp jaw. “The man without the mask—tell me, how does it feel?”  

“Stop talking.”  

“Don’t you just want to kiss these lips?” He hummed, puckering up his mouth and making kissing noises at Sakura.  

Sakura leaned back, reaching up to cup his face in her hands and ask evenly, “Did they drug you?”  

He nodded, answering easily, “Yeah-- some black market truth serum. Cept, the first couple of doses didn’t work—so they gave me a couple more and--”  

Sakura’s jaw dropped, “They gave you  several doses  of gods know what??”  

“Yeah, and then tried all these torture tactics on me. First, it was just good ole’ fashioned torture,” he chuckled, “but, you know—I don’t crack. So then, one of the guys knows that shit that Ino does—but can’t control me, I don’t know. All I know is they henge into what you desire the most—and so you were here. Then you were all over me, but I know it wasn’t you because the first time around didn’t smell like you—and  you  smell like  you.  So then I--”  

“Wait,” she decapitated, raising her hand to cut him off. “Just...stop.” She sighed, tucking away the newly revealed information for a later time, and instead cupping either side of his face in her hands. She ran her chakra through his skull and the cavity of his brain, swearing when she’d found all the   drug was quite literally fogging his brain.  

“How did I not see this before...” she mused, trying to eradicate the drug and finding that it was almost like goo in his body. It refused to budge, adhered to his brain cells and neurons.  

Kakashi closed his eyes and hummed peacefully, “This feels nice.”  

She sighed, pulling back, “There is so much in your cranial system, it would take me hours to rid your brain of it—and we’ve run out of time.” She stood, brushing her hands on her legs before glancing around, “Could your clothes or mask be around anywhere?”  

Kakashi hummed, eyes closing as he remarked, “Is it because I’m ugly?”  

Sakura scoffed, “You were just telling me how sorry you were for me because of how heartbreakingly handsome you are--”  

“So, you admit it then?”  

“Hm?” Sakura blinked, shaking her head and reaching down to slowly pull the man up, “admit what?”  

Kakashi’s arm looped around the back of her neck, his body leaning heavily on hers, “That I’m handsome.”  

Sakura began to lead them out, at a pace she figured he could manage, barely paying attention to him due to the fact that she was busy keeping her eyes peeled for any danger. Kakashi continued to ramble next to her, his speech drawn out, “I see the way you look at me, you know?”  

They rounded the corner, and she began to move quicker; wondering mildly if his feet were dragging. She let out a nonchalant, “Mmhmm.”  

He went on, “I mean—you know, I’ve thought maybe I was just imagining things—considering it’d been so long, but you always have this glimmer in your eyes when you look at me. Like you’re excited to see me.”  

“It’s the flames of my hatred burning for you,” she replied, pressing the ear piece to hum, “I’ve got Kakashi. We’re on our way out.”  

“We’re close by,” Shika crackled. “We were just on our way to you. Meet at the spot.”  

“Copy.”  

“I’m being serious,” Kakashi remarked out loud, completely oblivious to the fact that they were in real danger. As if they were back in Konoha drinking sake. “You just look at me some certain way all the time and it makes me think you’ve got some feelings for me.”  

“Yeah-- I’m just gonna assume that this is the drugs talking,” Sakura scoffed.  

“No, this is Kakashi talking,” he jeered, giggling.  

Sakura grinned at his giggle, pocketing that for a later time she could mercilessly tease him with. “Right, well—how are you feeling? Do you think you can get up this ladder?”  

He glanced up, squinting despite there being no real light, “Fuck it, I can try.”  

Sakura suspired, “You go first. I’ll catch you if something happens.”  

Kakashi detangled himself from the cage of her hold, reaching forward to grip a thin bar of the ladder. He looked back, winking, “You just like the view.”  

“You certainly are not like yourself when you’re high,” Sakura supplied, watching him weakly make his way up the ladder before moving herself. “I don’t know whether to be entertained or annoyed.”  

Kakashi opened his mouth to speak, falling short when his left arm gave way and he nearly fell back. Sakura lurched up, trapping his body against hers and the ladder; scowling sharply when he made a comment about how deep her knee was in his ass.  

“I’ll shove it all the way through if you don’t shut the fuck up,” she hissed, closing her eyes and taking a breath. She pressed a finger on the ear piece, “Shik-- change of plans.”  

“What’s the issue?” Shik replied quickly.  

“He’s weak,” Sakura remarked. “He can barely walk and he nearly fell off the ladder. I’ve got him pinned, but we need help getting him up.”  

There was a long sigh, and she realized Shik pressed the earpiece so she’d hear him sigh. She rolled her eyes as he then responded, “Alright. I’ll send Naruto.”  

“Copy. Have him knock on the hatch twice before opening, or I’ll attack if it opens.”  

“Copy.”  

Sakura gripped the ladder, the muscles of her back, calves, and hamstrings burning from the stretch of the angle she was at. Her shoulders were bent forward, arms holding the latter while she also leaned back with her knees bent forward so her thighs and hips pinned him. Despite her constant training and her fit frame, she could feel the slow burn of her body as they waited. Kakashi was slunk against the ladder, his body molded between the metal and her flesh; sort of limp, like a scarecrow. Sakura knew the man’s chakra reserves were zeroed out, which that in itself was a shock considering he had an amazing amount of both chakra and control.  

She glanced down at him, her tone suddenly soft with concern, “Kakashi...are you okay?”  

Kakashi managed to turn so that he was twisted partly, his face peering up at her, “Oh, yeah. Just peachy.”  

She scowled, watching blown-out eyes watch her. She shook her head, commenting, “You have no chakra...the last time your chakra got that low-- we were at war.”  

Kakashi’s mouth ticked down slightly, murmuring lowly, “We aren’t at war, Sakura.”  

“What did they do to you?” She hummed, wishing she could touch his temple to run chakra into his brain in hopes it’ll help. “They must have really...”  

Kakashi surprised her with a glittering smile, “Nothing I can’t handle.”  

Her pink brow ticked, “You’re out of chakra...your body was riddled with stab wounds and cuts...I mean, I’m pretty sure you’ve got broken bones, too. They drugged you...who knows what the lasting effects of that will be.”  

“You fret like a hen,” he dismissed. “I’m fine, it’s nothing you can’t heal nor I regain. And, as for the drug, it’ll wear off. I’m just--”  

There was two knocks on the hatch door six feet above them, the hatch slowly opening and moonlight glittering in. Naruto’s blonde hair nearly glowed with the rays of the moon shimmering through them, the raspy husk of his voice breaking through, “Sakura-chan?”  

Sakura nodded, “Down here.”  

Naruto squinted, “Sorry, it’s pretty dark down there. Do you have Kakashi?”  

“Yes,” she quipped. “But he can’t get up the ladder himself. You’ll have to reach down and pull him up.” She glanced down at Kakashi, “Reach out.”  

Naruto’s hand reach down first, as far as his arm would let him. She watched Kakashi’s own large hand slither up and nearly engulf Naruto’s hand. She listened as Naruto told Kakashi to hold on, grunting as he began to tug Kakashi up. Sakura placed one hand on his hip, guiding him up and making sure he doesn’t fall back.  

From above came a confused hum, “Um-- someone else was down there??”  

She waited until she was free to climb up, pink head popping out of the top of the hatch as she answered, “No. That’s Kakashi.”  

Naruto turned to look at Kakashi, who was sat in the grass. The whiskered man seemed to still for an immeasurable amount of time, blue eyes wide and mouth hung agape as he took in Kakashi’s features. Sakura shut the hatch door quietly, moving around to stand by Kakashi and loop her arm around to scoop him up. Again, he clung to her and kept his whole body weight on her.  

“T-th-that's...” Naruto began dumbly, blinking and shaking his head. “The mask...where...?”  

Sakura began to walk to the meet spot, “They did something to it when he was being interrogated.”  

Naruto followed, both awed and shocked, “I...but his lips...”  

Kakashi glanced curiously at Naruto, and again Sakura was positive his feet must be dragging, “My lips?”  

Naruto pointed a shaky finger, “Your....teeth....”  

“I know I’m handsome,” Kakashi chuckled, smiling at the man. “It’s okay to admit it-- it doesn’t make you any less straight. That’s the problem with men today—the masculinity is toxic. Why--”  

“What is he talking about?” Naruto husked.  

“Don’t pay attention to him,” Sakura sighed, pausing as Shika stepped into view to meet them halfway. “He’s higher than a kite right now.”  

Shika stopped, brows quirked, “Is that...?”  

Naruto pointed, leaping, “That’s  Kakashi !!! He’s not wearing his mask!!! We  can see his face. He has lips. He can talk.”  

“ He could talk before...” Shik rumbled.  

“Yeah, but the difference is that  we can see him talk.  I mean...” He laughed, “Look at him!! He’s got a whole ass  face.  It’s...weird. Say, Kaka-sensei, why bother wearing the mask? It’s not like...you know, you need it or anything.”  

Kakashi waved his hand weakly, “It’s for the women of Konoha that I wear my mask. There would be another war, should I walk freely with this weapon of mass destruction.”  

Sakura snorted unceremoniously, “Are you sure this wasn’t some confidence-boosting drug? You sure do seem to think you’re hot shit.”  

“Am I not?” Kakashi hummed, almost so quietly she thought only she’d heard it.  

Shika gave both Sakura and Kakashi a curious glance before nodding, “Let’s get out of here. The sooner we get you to Konoha, the better.” He gave Kakashi a once over, “I’m taking it we’re going to have to walk.”  

Kakashi nodded, “Yes, it appears I cannot keep myself up. We’d better get going, though—they'll be back any minute, if they’re not already here.”  

Shika gave a firm nod, rumbling off the direction they’d take before the four of them began to hoof it. For the most part, aside from Naruto asking Kakashi random questions about his face, they walked in silence. For three hours they walked, until they decided they were safe enough to make camp and rest—just to recharge. Sakura set Kakashi down, rolling her neck and stretching her back as she peered up into the night sky. Naruto began to gather things for a fire while Shika dug in his back for food. She figured it must be sometime in the early morning, maybe three or so. They still technically had two hours to go, but at the pace they were moving due to Kakashi—it could be longer.  

Rest would be good, at least for a little bit.  

She dug around in her own pack, pulling out a water canister and taking a long swig before she held it out to Kakashi. The silver-haired man took it wordlessly, and she had to tear her eyes away from the firm bob of his neck and jawline. She decided to look down at her shoes, dusting off dirt that had permanently made its stay there.  

“Thank you,” Kakashi chuckled. “I was half expecting there to be sake in here when you handed it to me.”  

Sakura hummed, shifting to sit back on her heels in front of him. She rubbed her hands together, asking, “Still stoned?”  

Kakashi gazed up thoughtfully, “Do I look stoned?”  

“Yeah, you do,” she sighed. She set her fingertips to cradle his temple and jaw, “Don’t move. I’m going to try something.”  

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he grinned, eyes closing as soon as she began to funnel her own chakra into the streamlines of where his should be. She tsked sharply, finding him not only depleted but it appeared the drug had started to dehydrate him, too. She moved her chakra to sooth more of the internal damage he took along his body; mending a couple fractured bones along his ribs. Once she was satisfied, she directed the chakra to his brain; running along nerves, surrounding the drugs that seemed to surround just his brain. Her brows cinched in the middle at her frustration, “I’ve never seen a drug do this before.”  

“Do what?” He asked. “Make me be truthful?”  

Sakura shook her head, “I don’t know what this drug is supposed to make you do...it’s just all in your brain. Most drugs spread throughout the body, but...I don’t know. If it’s still in your system when we get back to Konoha, I’m going to have Tsunade look at it. She might know what it is—or what’s going on.” Sakura withdrew her chakra and pulled her hands back, watching him frown openly. “What?” She asked.  

“Tsunade doesn’t feel nearly as good as you do,” he remarked. “Her chakra is always aggressive—like I can feel it forcing its way through my body. Yours is so gentle and warm. Tingly. It’s not uncomfortable. Plus,” he opened his eyes, grinning, “you’re much prettier a sight than Tsunade.”  

Sakura nodded, chuckling, “Laying it on thick, I see.”  

“I can lay it on pretty thick,” he replied, his tone dripping with double meaning and having her scowling.  

“So, high Kakashi is a sexual deviant?” Sakura quipped, shifting so she was sat with her legs crossed. “I would have never known.”  

Kakashi scoffed, “Yeah, right. I read Icha Icha. There were red flags.”  

She waved dismissively at him, ears perking at Shika nitpicking whatever it was Naruto was doing, “Well, deviant or not—you're going to have to see Tsunade. I’ve done all I can to help you for right now. There’s not much more I can do, given the time frame and the fact that we’ve got to still trek back home.”  

Kakashi hummed, “I can think of something you can do.”  

Sakura’s eyes settled, unimpressed, “I’m sure you can.”  

“I’m being serious,” he supplied, his wicked grin deceiving him. “In fact, I can think of one thing in particular that would make the trauma of my torture easier to maintain.”  

“Wow,  now  you’re traumatized?”  

“You know I can’t afford therapy,” he chuckled, dark eyes shining. “So, it’s the next best thing. Well, rather—I’d take it any day over some shrink or hospital.”  

Sakura shook her head, “If you’re going to say something dirty, save it. You are clearly high and I’ve let a lot slide because your brain is literally fogged—but I have my limits. Especially with you.”  

Kakashi’s brow quirked, “What’s that supposed to mean?”  

“It means,” Sakura began, grabbing the canteen and raising it to him, “that you like to push my buttons. Drink all of this, you’re really dehydrated.”  

Kakashi took it, “Why do you think I push your buttons, Sakura?”  

“Because you live to piss me off,” she replied, glancing back to see meat being skewered and cooked. She turned back to face the man, “Your mission in life is to make me as angry as possible. You like it when I’m practically foaming at the mouth.”  

“Maybe,” Kakashi supplied, raising the canteen to take a long drink from it. He lowered the container, wiping his mouth and smiling, “Maybe I just like how you look when you blush.”  

“I don’t blush when I’m angry.”  

“Yes you do,” he commented matter-of-factly. “Every time, it comes from your neck up. It’s such a pretty shade of pink compared to your fair skin. At first, making you angry was the only way I could get that rise out of you...but, then I started teasing you in other ways. Ah, but I’ll admit, I really like it when you’re close to ripping my head off. It’s hot.”  

Sakura’s jaw dropped, “Kakashi has never in his life used the word ‘hot’ to compliment someone before. You are so fucking high right now. I hope you forget today, so that when you come-to I can embarrass you with everything you’ve said.”  

He shook his head, “Even if I forgot-- I wouldn’t take it back.”  

“Yeah, right. Like I buy that. Just last week, you were talking to me about some bartender you wanted to ‘get to know,’ and now I’m hot?”  

“It made you jealous, did it not?”  

Sakura reeled, shaking her head and grimacing, “I wasn’t  jealous,  asshole.”  

Kakashi nodded slowly, “Uh-huh, sure. You just wanted to warn me about the dangers of pre-marital sex?”  

She scowled, crossing her arms, “N-no. I was just  saying  that you never know who is carrying what disease, and the amount of ninja’s I see weekly with some cock-rotting virus. I just didn’t want you to be one of them.”  

Kakashi gave a low, sympathetic hum, “Why do you care about my cock so much?”  

At this, the woman blustered; standing to her feet, heat flushing her cheeks, “It’s-it’s-- you’re...You’re my friend, Kakashi—I was just warning you.”  

“Right, and gave me the cold shoulder for a week until you found out I, in fact, did not sleep with her?”  

She shook her head, “You know what, I’m not having this conversation with you. You are off your ass high, can’t think straight let alone have a normal conversation.”  

“Admit it,” Kakashi pressed, still grinning that same stupid grin. “You are totally into me.”  

“Into you?” She echoed, incredulous. “Oh, sure—if by into you, you mean I’m into beating the living shit out of you.” Sakura shook her head, “I swear, you’re pretty bad when you’re sober—but you are absolutely insufferable right now. Where is all this even coming from?” She tilted her head, “Is it the drug?? Are you just using it as an excuse to irritate me further?” 

Unbothered, Kakashi nodded, “The drug has nothing to do with the fact that our bodies don’t lie. This is coming from a place that really started that day. I wasn’t stoned—and neither were you.”  

She glanced back briefly, watching the other two men seemingly unaware of their current conversation. She whipped around, hissing, “I have no fucking idea what you’re talking about.”  

Kakashi smirked, canine flashing, “Don’t play dumb with me, Sakura. We both know what day I’m talking about.”  

Sakura opened her mouth to speak, a clap back on the tip of her tongue, until the jonin spoke up again.  

“On the training grounds? At the spring?” He leaned forward, dark eyes locking with hers and tapping his nose, “You were down wind, baby.”  

It happened before she could stop it—not that she had really wanted to, anyways. Her hand whipped out quicker than she could really keep up, lashing across the man’s beautiful face. From behind her came Naruto’s surprised gasp, the whiskered man running up to get in between Sakura and Kakashi.  

He held out his arms, shocked as he asked, “Sakura-chan?! What happened?!” He looked back at Kakashi, who only held Sakura’s gaze, “What did you do?! She never hits you!”  

Sakura turned to Naruto, barking, “Have you eaten?!”  

Naruto jumped, arms held up on either side, “Yes!”  

“Stay with him,” she jerked her chin at Kakashi. “It’s your turn to carry him the rest of the way.”  

Naruto glanced over wearily at Kakashi, “Uh...okay.”  

Sakura turned on her heel, marching towards the campfire; Kakashi’s voice following her even as she kept her back to him.  

“You can’t pretend forever, Sakura.”  

---

Shika asked no questions as Sakura ate her food in brooding silence. He made no remarks as they took rounds of short naps before they packed up and began their trek back home again. Naruto held Kakashi tight to his side, and watching their awkward gait due to height difference would have made her laugh if she wasn’t so pissed.  

Of course, she couldn’t forget about  that day.  

It’s the same day that a rift had been torn in her friendship with Kakashi. Something had changed, hung in the background that she really did her best to pretend wasn’t there. A couple months afterwards, the tension had been so thick between them that she secretly fretted she’d lose one of her best friends. Though, as time had gone on, it appeared the ice melted and things were—for the most part, at least—back to some semblance of normalcy. Or, at the very least, they both managed to never bring it up and really behave as if it never happened.  

Though, much to her humiliation, it did happen.  

---

It had been a brutally hot day in Konoha.  

Summer time was at a peak, the sun was in the highest point for the day. There was no wind to quell them, and even the shade great trees offered became foe. Nowhere seemed safe from the sun’s smoldering rays, and by the end of her morning shift at the hospital; Sakura was beyond agitated. It wasn’t new to herself or others that blistering heat only ever served to drain her of any well manners. She was short, curt, and gods damn it all—she was fucking hot.  

Sakura had planned to go home and simply sit under the spray of a cold shower, and as she began to trudge her way there—she was stopped by none other than the Hokage-to-be. She watched with blown-out eyes the man prattle on about training; how excited he was, how he’d been looking forward to it all day, how team seven hasn’t trained in so long because of missions. She watched with fallen expression the man grab her wrist and lead her to the training grounds, chuckling over his shoulder about how he made sure he ate well this morning so he could “kick Sasuke’s ass.”  

Of course, she wanted to say no. 
Of course, she wanted to go home. 

Of course, she let Naruto lead her.  

How could she say no?  

Once they’d reached the training grounds, she found that both Sasuke and Kakashi were there perched under a tree; Sasuke’s arms crossed, mouth moving mildly with words so soft she couldn’t hear them. She watched Kakashi offer a disinterested nod, turning his head as her and Naruto approached.  

Naruto waved boisterously, “I got her, Kaka-sensei!! Just like you asked me to!!”  

Sakura stopped just next to the men, humming offhandedly, “Just like you asked, hmm?”  

Kakashi gave her a crinkled eye, “We just didn’t want you to miss training, Sakura. A good ninja always stays in shape.”  

She scoffed, “Do I look out of shape to you?”  

“Well, you’re in some sort of shape,” he teased, his exposed eye amused. “What shape you’d call a walking blob of sweat, though-- ”  

Sakura slapped her hand weakly across his shoulder and chuckled, “Fuck you.”  

He gave a nonchalant hum, kicking himself off the tree and meandering to the center of the field; remarking over his shoulder, “I hope the three of you are ready. This won’t be like last time—with the bells.” He stopped, turning and stretching his arms wide and rolling his head around, “I’m not going to go easy on any single one of you. You’ve all proven that you’re more than capable to handle me at full force. Just, you know—don't take it personal when you’ve all got a mouthful of dirt, mmkay?”  

Sasuke snorted, pushing himself off the tree and stepping into the clearing, Naruto right beside him, “Big talk for someone who died.”  

“Alas, I have risen,” Kakashi hummed.  

Naruto planted his feet firmly, pointing a finger at Kakashi, “It’s the three of us against you, Kaka-sensei. We beat you last time—we'll have no problem kicking your ass again!”  

Kakashi gave a nod, jerking his chin at Sakura, “And you? Any sentiments or final words before we start?”  

Sakura hummed, standing next to Naruto before bending down to gather her hair and tie it up high in a bun. She tucked away a stray strand, meeting Kakashi’s gaze and singing sympathetically, “I should really speak to the nurses over there at the senior citizen home. If they keep letting old, deranged men like you escape—”  

At this, Kakashi tipped his head back and laughed; hand flat on his belly, silver hair twitching with his shaking head. He remarked about damage, before he crouched down; hands already together in a seal, muttering words so quick that the three of them had to leap away when the earth exploded beneath their feet.  

They went at it mercilessly, three to one as they worked to wear the copy nin down. While some parts were fun, it was true that the silver-haired man did not hold back. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and replacing that amused gaze was one of ferocity and relentlessness. When Kakashi attacked, they were treated as foe; he was cunning, he was aggressive, and he was quick. Quicker than Sakura had remembered. At one point, the four of them were at an impasse; spread out, huffing and dripping head to toe in sweat. Her skin felt hot and tight, the small hairs on the nape of her neck clung to her skin and along her temples. It hadn’t been long that the men had stripped themselves of their shirts—Kakashi still wearing his mask that clung from his neck up-- and Sakura had ripped her own outfit off in a fit of frustration; leaving her in simple black spanks and a sports bra. It wasn’t nothing they all hadn’t seen before, and for the most part everyone was far too focused on the task at hand. She was unaware of how much time had passed, and yet the sun sat still high in the sky; burning, unmoving.  

Kakashi, stanced in an offensive position, suddenly straightened. He cleared his throat, “Well, it appears that we have come to a stand still.”  

Naruto scoffed, “Yeah fuckin’ right. I’m not leaving this field until you submit.”  

Kakashi sighed, dull, “I’m afraid I’ve got places I’ve got to be. You all did very well, and we can pick--”  

She heard it, from behind her. The crack of a twig, the groan of a branch wanting to give way. She turned, shouting, “Clones!!”  

From the trees that surrounded them came clones of Kakashi; a separate one attacking each of them. Sakura whirled and cartwheeled backwards, leaping up to grab onto a branch and toss herself back into the thicket of trees; the trunks offering protection from the rain of kunai the clone threw at her. She ran several feet before turning to the left sharply, doubling back, and kicking herself off of another tree to send her foot directly into the head of the clone that tried to double back for her. She watched it disappear in a puff of smoke, grinning to herself and scoffing, “Nice try, baka.”  

There was a whipping noise, a whoosh in the wind and the feel of cool metal along her throat. She stilled, swallowing and swearing when the man muttered in her ears, “Did you just call me an idiot, Sakura?”  

“Because you are an idiot,” she chaffed, feeling an arm holding her so tight from behind she was sure there would be bruising later.  

Kakashi tsked in her ear, cooing, “That’s not very nice. You know, I’m the one holding the blade. You’d think you’d be a lot nicer to me, all things considered.” He pressed the blade just a smidge tighter, “You shouldn’t let your guard down so easily. Just because a clone is gone, doesn’t mean I am.”  

“Who said my guard was down?” Sakura rebutted.  

Without much thinking, and treating the man like an enemy, she did what she’d been taught to do as a kunoichi—use her body. She knew he was standing behind her, that much was clear, and she had a plan formulated even as he had prattled on about her guard being down. Quick as lightening, she ran her chakra through her body to her hips and ass; arching harshly, with as much force as she could muster. In the same instance, she had reached for the wrist holding the blade, pushing it away from her when her hips arched back; squeezing his wrist so hard that his hand flexed and the kunai fell just before he shot back several feet. She turned, kicking him square in the chest and sending the man back several more feet. Before he could even look up, she was behind him; gripping his hair by the scalp, tugging him down so that he fell back on top of her. Her right leg latched around the top of his body and right arm, her left leg propped up so that his left arm was hooked underneath it and she could use chakra in her thighs to squeeze him in place. She kept her fingers curled tight in his hair, arched his head back as she reached for the small blade she kept tucked away in her shorts; digging it into the dip of his neck.  

There was a moment of stillness. Of Naruto and Sasuke fighting clones in the background and the huffs of their shared breath in the forefront. Sakura was suddenly hyper-aware of his muscled body, the definition of his back twitching along the plane of her own body. She could smell him, as she was practically wrapped around him; of sweat, of musk, and dirt, and fire.  

Sakura shook her head, tightening her hand in his hair and humming, “Ba-ka.”  

Kakashi chuckled, though it was raspy and winded.  

“Do you give up?”  

“If I say no?”  

Sakura squeezed her thighs tighter, satisfied with the subtle wheeze he let out, “Then I’ll squeeze you with my thighs until you pop.”  

“What a way to die,” he husked.  

Sakura was about to ask him what he could have meant by that, but then footsteps came quickly approaching; Sasuke and Naruto coming to loom over them.  

Naruto groaned loudly, “Aw--what?! Sakura gets finisher?!”  

“He hasn’t said he’s given up yet,” Sakura supplied.  

Sasuke grinned, “Regardless of if he says it or not—she's got you in a hold. There’s no escaping what those legs can do to you.”  

“She can literally crush you until you splatter,” Naruto remarked, mildly horrified.  

“I give,” Kakashi spoke up. “You win. I give.”  

Satisfied, Sakura began to detangle herself from the man; watching as Sasuke pulled Kakashi up off the ground and taking Naruto’s hand to help her up. She began to wipe at the dirt turned mud on her body, disgusted at just how sweaty her body was.  

Blue eyes raked Sakura’s form, a mischievous grin pulling at Naruto’s mouth, “Say, Sakura-chan...could you hold me like that?? That looked pretty hot.”  

Sakura cast Naruto an incurious glance, “Have Hinata hold you like that.”  

He elbowed Sakura, “I know, I know—I'm just teasing. It’s just, you were like all up in--”  

“She treated me like an enemy,” Kakashi interjected, plucking a leaf that had stuck to his abdomen. He picked his gaze up and shrugged, “She used her body to her advantage. Had I been a real enemy nin, she would have crushed me no hesitation—easily, too.” A dark eye flicked to Sakura, “Good job, Sakura.”  

Naruto huffed, “Yeah, good job...even though I didn’t get to be the one this time—next time I’ll have you at my mercy, Kaka-sensei!”  

Kakashi waved a hand fecklessly, “Mmh, I’m sure you will. Good job training today, it’s clear the three of you have not let up on your training in the slightest. Now,” he glanced at the skin of his wrist, “if you’ll excuse me, I must be off.”  

“You didn’t want to eat with us?!” Naruto exclaimed, watching as Kakashi began to walk to where he’d discarded his own shirt.  

“Maybe next time,” he sang, tugging it over his head and down his body. “It’s too hot to eat.”  

Sakura had to agree with the man. It was really too fucking hot for anything—let alone the training they’d just done. If she had been burning before, the skin of her body felt like magma. She fanned at her sweating neck, “Yeah-- same here. It’s way too hot. Plus, I want to go home and shower.”  

Naruto dipped his head, looking at Sasuke, “And you...?”  

Sasuke scoffed, shoving the whiskered man lightly, “I could eat.”  

“Great!” Naruto exclaimed, running to grab his things before waving goodbye to Sakura and Kakashi.  

Sakura meandered to where the scrapped remnants of her clothes lie, scooping down to pick up the pieces. She felt his presence behind her, heard his voice tsk in sympathy, “They never stood a chance, huh?”  

Sakura chuckled, straightening and turning to face the man; simpering, “I guess not...Though, I wish I'd had half the mind to take them off instead of just ripping them...These were my favorite to wear.”  

Kakashi gazed down at the scraps of fabric in her hand, “You can always buy more.”  

Sakura sighed, “I suppose so. I guess I just feel dumb that I ripped them...”  

He plucked a shoulder, “To be fair, it is so hot that it feels like my brain is melting. Given the circumstances, ripping them seemed fair.” He grinned, “At least, I’m not judging you.”  

“Sinner, not a saint,” Sakura teased.  

“Hell awaits us with open arms,” he remarked, laughing with her.  

Sakura shaded her eyes from the sun, “Well-- my cold shower beckons me. I’ll see you around?”  

He nodded, grinning, “Yeah...See yah.”  

They both began to split in opposite directions until Sakura halted suddenly, turning and asking, “Wait-- what you said earlier...”  

Kakashi paused, “Hmm? What did I say?”  

Sakura bit her lip, shaking her head, “Ah...Actually, I can’t remember.”  

He nodded again, “It must be the heat.”  

“Must be,” she echoed, waving, “Bye.”  

“See yah.”  

Sakura decided to take the most shaded path she could think of, a small dirt road that ran through the trees and circled the outside of the village. She could feel sweat between the meat of her thighs, causing them to chafe and irritate her as she continued to walk; the heat making her feel tired, the muscles of her body exhausted from how hard she’d trained. It wasn’t long until she wandered off to the right where she’d known a spring to be—somewhere her and Ino used to go to back in the day when it was just as hot. She’d remembered the water being so delightfully cold then—she hoped as she neared it’d be just as cool now. There was a break in the trees, the trinkle of fresh flowing water, and when Sakura stepped through and dipped a toe into the water-- she very nearly sobbed with joy. She wasted no time, manic as she peeled off her sports bra and struggled to roll down the tight spandex that clung to her skin. She knew she was alone here, she knew that this had been a secret spot only her and Ino knew.  

Sakura figured as much she was safe.  

Once free of the last bit of clothing, she stepped into the spring; hissing at the shocking sensation of the cool water washing over her burning skin, goosebumps forming along the flesh of her legs and arms when she submerged herself. She’d spent most of her time dunking herself, coming back up for air and blinking water droplets out of pink lashes. As soon as her temperature had gone down, Sakura decided to swim to the other side of the spring; sitting on and tilting her head and arms back against a smooth stone rock. She closed her eyes and let her calves suspend in the spring, the running water tickling the tips of her toes. She allowed herself to relax, to grow quiet and be one with her surroundings. There was no wind, but she could clearly hear the spring. The soft trickle became background noise, and she would have dozed off had her mind in its relaxed state not taken her down other roads. Ones that lead to a certain silver-haired man.  

Sakura would be a bold-faced liar if she said that, on some level, she found Kakashi an attractive man. Of course, she’d never seen his face—but there was this air about him that reeled her in. He was commanding, he was strong; he was laid back, lazy, and somehow still reliable. Ninja across the globe knew who he was, and yet he’d never been one to behave arrogantly. She found it daunting to think at times that the same man who thousands feared was the same man teasing her over how she ate her dango. Of course, she was attracted to him—but, she appreciated their friendship more. She loved having a friend in Kakashi, and she of all people knew what love could do to friendships. So, for the most part, she kept those thoughts and feelings locked down. The fact that he pushed her buttons did help—a lot.  

Yet, as her body floated in the spring, she couldn’t stop herself from thinking about how solid he felt. Even with his back to her chest, her legs wrapped around him—she’d gotten a good scope of just how firm his muscles were, and if any ninja was about training, it was certainly Kakashi. She thought back to how intimate the hold had been, how she’d practically had a nose full of his scent—a particular type of masculinity that other men just couldn’t seem to have. She remembered what he’d said, and wondered if there was meaning behind it, or if he was simply teasing her again. She thought about other parts of his body she could squeeze with her thighs, and maybe it was the cool of the spring, but her brain took that simple thought and ran. Ran quicker than she could catch it, or care to.  

Her mind ran to images of her pinning him down with her own hips; straddling him and holding him hostage. Her mind ran to the thought of him helpless to pleasure, large hands twitching as he begged her to both stop and keep going. Sakura imagined how good it’d feel to roll her hips across his own frame, to have his hand on her throat in a threat as she shuddered over him. It was dangerous territory, she never allowed herself to imagine these things with Kakashi of all people—but she figured once wouldn’t hurt. Fingers trailed across her exposed collarbone, following the swell of her breast; her palm running lightly over a hard nipple, a small gasp escaping her at the jolt of pleasure. Sakura’s mind drummed up a scene in which she was at his mercy; wrists bound, legs spread wide and trembling as his head dipped between them. In time with his wandering tongue, her own dainty finger ran along the seam of her sex; up and down over her clit lightly, rubbed little circles before dipping down to tease her entrance. The image of Kakashi holding her hips as tight as he’d held her today during training; lifting her up, sinking her down so her pussy can swallow up his swollen cock. A finger slipped deep inside her; out of her, over her clit, inside her. Sakura then cupped her sex, the heel of her hand rubbing her clit for each time her fingers curled in and her hips jut up. Water splashed around her buckled knees, her pink hair frayed and bits stuck to the column of her neck. She began to grind on her hand and fuck herself, eyes closed and completely lost to the idea that it was Kakashi who was thrusting up into her; challenging her to look at him, nipping her neck, hissing her name. She had become so enraptured, so lost in the moment that the world around her melted; melted as her body began to tighten, the canal of her sex clenching in preparation for the orgasm that was about to rip through her. She was caught up, caught up in him; in his command to come, in his husky moans, into the feel of being stretched out and fucked slow. When her body froze, her muscles seized; her head tipped back and she was coming. Hissing his name, trembling and jerking and she’d never felt so good in all her life.  

Her muscles were still shaking when she’d heard him call her name.  

Sakura’s eyes snapped open, turning sharply to the right to see the very man she’d just imagined ruthlessly fucking her now standing where her discarded clothes were. She knocked her knees together, driving her left hand to cover her sex while her right arm folded across her breasts. She wanted to dive into the spring, but the water was so clear that she’d be just as exposed. Pink brows pulled down tight as she watched Kakashi bend down to scoop up her clothes, balling them up and tossing them at her across the spring; landing to her left.  

“What the fuck are you doing?” She seethed.  

Kakashi quirked a brow, “I’d ask you the same thing.”  

Her cheeks flared, “Have you heard of common fucking decency?”  

He deadpanned, “Yes. I’ve heard of it so much, that I had the common fucking decency to come and warn you that Kiba and his goons are on their way to come take a dip in this exact spring before they ran into...” He trailed off.  

“You really expect me to believe you?”  

Kakashi plucked a shoulder, “I wasn’t just creeping, if that’s what you’re getting at. I heard you, but I gave you your privacy—because I have common-fucking-decency. It was only when I also heard Shino talking to Lee about going to a spring Ino had told him about. I figured as much it was this one, or at least the ones near by—so I came back to let you know to at least put your clothes back on—I mean, who doesn’t skinny dip from time to time? I just had no clue you were into--”  

“Turn around,” she decapitated harshly, fuming at his back when he turned and chuckled.  

“You better hurry,” he remarked over his shoulder. “They’ll be here any minute.”  

“Go fuck yourself,” Sakura bit, tugging on her sports bra.  

He hummed, “You’ve done enough for the both of us, thanks.”  

Sakura scoffed, snapping the waistband of her shorts against her hips before she leapt across the spring. She wiggled her feet into her sandals, beginning to storm off and pausing when he called her name. She turned, jade eyes locking with his own charcoal eye; surprised by the sudden burn in them.  

“My name,” he remarked evenly. “You said my name.”  

Sakura scowled, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  

“Were you thinking of me—just now?” He hummed, voice dark and smooth, betraying his mirth. “I could have sworn I heard you say my name...”  

Sakura felt her sex throb in response to his tone, to the smolder in his gaze. She opened her mouth, replying sharply, “Drop it.”  

For the first time all day, there was a breeze. It blew past Sakura, tickling the back of her neck and sending the tips of Kakashi’s silver hair flicking back. He raised his chin, blinking before his eye locked on hers, commenting, “Alright. I’ll drop it.”  

---

Sakura was glad Kakashi never brought it up again, despite how much she beat herself up over the fact that she’d done it and wondering just how much he’d seen.  

Or heard.  

It took a while for her to shake it off, and even then, there were nights were she’d want to slam her head into a wall wishing it never happened. The one time she gives into a whim, and here it was constantly haunting her. She couldn’t count on both hands how many lewd things Ino had done in public—but she never saw Ino chewing her nails over it, let alone anyone ever talking about it. Sakura knew that Kakashi would never tell a soul, but it was the fact that he had been there...when, she was unsure—just that he knew what was going on.  

That, maybe, he had known the whole time; beginning to end.  

He knew, and she knew he knew; and he knew she knew he knew-- and she wished now that he’s brought it back up she could disappear.  

By the time they reached Konoha, it was early morning. For the last hour of their trip, Naruto had complained loudly about how heavy Kakashi was—but neither her nor Shika offered to help, and when they’d passed the gates, Sakura had to bite back a laugh when Naruto simply let Kakashi’s body flop to the earth.  

Shika snorted, walking to Kakashi to tug him up by his side, “What the fuck, Naruto?”  

Naruto glanced back, seemingly shocked, “I thought he wanted to sit down?!”  

The shadow ninja deadpanned, “You just dropped him.”  

Naruto balked, “I thought he’d catch himself?!”  

“He’s weak,” Shika pressed dully. “He has no chakra. He’s been drugged. What made you think he’d catch himself?”  

“He...I mean, I asked him and he said he could--”  

Shika cast Kakashi an irritated mien, “He’s off his ass high.”  

“Technically, low,” Kakashi interjected easily, sheepish.  

“Whatever,” Shika sighed, giving Sakura his attention. “You want to take him to the hospital?”  

“No.”  

Shika began to walk Kakashi in Sakura’s direction, quite literally lobbing the large man onto Sakura, “Well, that’s too damn bad. Whatever is going on between you two can wait—he's got to see Tsunade, remember?”  

Sakura looped her arm around Kakashi’s waist and hooked his arm behind her neck, small hand gripping his wrist; brimming with hatred at the fact that his entire body flopped onto hers. She wanted to be far away from the infuriating man—she wanted some space, given the fact that he was probably remembering the spring just as much as she was.  

“Fine,” Sakura huffed, beginning to take off towards the hospital. “I’ll take him—but you’re going to fill out my report for me.”  

Shika waved his had dismissively, “Sure, sure-- just get him there safely. That means not slapping him across the face.” He paused, “Oh, speaking of face...” He approached Kakashi, digging in his pocket for a torn up white cloth. He raised it, covering the lower half of Kakashi’s face and making a small knot in the back. “Just so the village of Konoha doesn’t go to war.”  

Sakura scowled.  

“I’m sure it was warranted,” Shika hummed, glancing at her. “The slap, I mean...Ah, we’ll go.” Shika tugged Naruto by the elbow and led him in the direction of Hokage tower, quick so she couldn’t get a word out.  

He’d gotten good at that.  

Sakura said nothing as she practically carried the copy nin to the hospital—just as Kakashi said nothing to her on their way there. Some other ninja in passing asked Kakashi if he was okay, to which he’d give a lazy thumbs up, which was already pretty typical to begin with. It was as they went up the steps that a couple of nurses came out, bracing Kakashi on either side while Sakura began to tick off instructions; asking one of the nurses to fetch Tsunade immediately. She watched the women carry him through the double doors and to the left. She decided to make her way to the nurses station; lathering her hands and arms in soap to wash off the dirt. Twenty minutes had passed before Sakura could hear the booming march of Tsunade’s heels, barking, “Sakura!”  

Sakura came from behind the station, meeting the Hokage in the hall, “That was quick.”  

Tsunade scoffed, shaking her head, “It’s been a boring day, surprisingly. That being said, I’m not here to waste precious drinking time.” She glanced around, leaning in to ask, “Did it go well?”  

“Too well,” Sakura remarked suspiciously. “We ran into no trouble at all, which...I mean, given how dangerous you said the men were-- I can’t help but feel like...we missed something, or they’re up to something.”  

Tsunade gave a curt nod, “Right, well—there's a reason for that.”  

“What reason?”  

She placed a hand on Sakura’s elbow, “Here-- let’s go to Kakashi’s room. We can discuss it more.”  

Sakura responded with a nod, turning on her heel and leading the other woman several doors down until they reached his patient room. She raised her hand, knocking firmly three times before twisting the handle and breezing in. A nurse was to the left of the man, writing something on the top of the IV bag before tapping the top of Kakashi’s shoulder, murmuring to call if he needed anything. She turned, bowing briefly to Tsunade before leaving; the door clicking softly behind her.  

Tsunade approached the foot of the bed, “Kakashi. Good to see you in one piece.”  

Kakashi nodded, silver hair flicking, “Well-- you have Sakura to thank for that.” He raised a hand, gesturing at her, “She stitched me right up.”  

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from my protégé,” she remarked easily. “As for the interrogation—how did it go?”  

The man shrugged fecklessly, “Boring, for the most part. I couldn’t get them to tell me what we had been suspecting, but I found out that--”  

“Wait,” Sakura began, shaking her head. “Wait. What do you mean? You were the one being interrogated.”  

“Ah, right,” Tsunade raised her chin in a slow nod, “now that we’ve got everyone home—it's safe enough to spill the beans.”  

Sakura waited.  

Tsunade began, “This particular group of ninja happen to be very well versed in our typical interrogation tactics—along with how most of our missions play out. We know that these men were once jonin in our own ranks, so they’d smell our tricks from a mile away. But,” she smiled over at Kakashi, “this son-of-a-bitch came up with a brilliant plan. Make them think they’ve captured Kakashi and allow them to interrogate him—in which he’d use reverse psychology to get them to admit what we’ve been wanting to uncover. Which, when someone is in a position of power, would easily say—given the fact that they are under the belief they’re going to kill Kakashi. Once the allotted time for said interrogation had passed, we first sent Sasuke and a couple others to deal with these men.” Tsunade placed her hands on his shoulder, “That’s where you, Shik, and Naruto came in. Once Sasuke and his team had taken the men out of the bunker, we’d planned it just so that you three would show up. And you did.” She beamed, “And got our man out. Not only that,” she turned to Kakashi, “Sasuke and his team managed to apprehend most of the men.”  

“Most?” Kakashi echoed.  

Tsunade tilted her head back and forth, lower lip jut out, “Eh, well—you know how these things go. Losing one or two won’t do much damage.”  

Sakura blinked, “Right...I guess I should have known that there was more going on...Because, it seemed silly to think that Kakashi of all people--” Sakura stopped, catching herself. She shook her head, “Well, I’m glad everything played out the way you wanted it—but that’s not why I called you here.”  

“What is it, then?”  

“Even if it was your plan for Kakashi to be tortured for interrogation,” Sakura began.  

Tsunade raised a finger, “Ah, no-- his plan.”  

Sakura sighed, “Be that as it may—he was still tortured, mildly, and interrogated. I found him with multiple stab wounds--”  

“Nothing he can’t handle,” Tsunade decapitated with a wave of her hand.  

“-- some fractured ribs--”  

“Child’s play.”  

Sakura continued, “-- completely depleted of chakra to the point that his body has yet to recover even a minuscule amount, AND—he was drugged.”  

At this, Tsunade seemed to perk, “Drugged??”  

“Severely,” Sakura replied, earnest. “And, to top it off, it’s definitely some black market drug—or something, I don’t know. I can’t tell what it is. Kakashi said it was a truth serum, but they drugged him and then henged into...a woman...to try to seduce the answers out of him? The problem is, when I was initially healing him-- I couldn’t detect the drug. It was only when I went actively looking for it that I found it...but...” She scowled, shaking her head, “It’s not in his bodily cells, like most drugs. It’s just all over his brain-cells, the neurons...it’s taken up all of his frontal lobe. When I tried to eradicate the drug, it was like...goo...and fog...it wouldn’t go anywhere, no matter how hard I tried.”  

Tsunade let out a hum, walking to the left side of the bed and leaning over Kakashi. She placed her hands on either side of his head, the whooshing sound of chakra filling the space of the room. Sakura watched with an earnest gaze as the woman kept her eyes closed; brow ticking ever so slightly, mouth cocked down at the left corner. Kakashi’s eyes were closed, and he seemed pretty unbothered save for the subtle furrow of his brow.  

“Behavior?” Tsunade asked, and it took Sakura a second to realize she was asking her.  

“Insufferable,” Kakashi replied with a smiling tone at the same time Sakura scoffed, “He’s stoned.”  

Tsunade tsked, annoyed, “But what has he been  doing ?”  

Sakura cleared her throat and rubbed her arm, “Um...”  

Tsunade pulled her hands away, dropping her arms and opening her eyes. She turned to Sakura, “Let me guess-- he’s been sexually liberated?”  

“For lack of better words.”  

“Seems sort of arrogant—boastful?”  

Sakura sighed, “He told me he felt sorry for me because I had to see his handsome face.”  

At this, Tsunade snorted a laugh, shaking her head, “Okay. The good news is, this drug is not toxic to his body, besides maybe some mild dehydration. It is toxic to his behavior, however—at least, most of us would find it toxic. I’m sure there’s some poor, unsuspecting female out there who will fall victim to your wiles, eh, Hatake?” She winked at Kakashi, a grin pulled at her lips. “This isn’t really a truth serum, as much as it just is an obnoxiously confidence-boosting, sex-driven drug. It takes up the frontal lobe and literally clogs that center of judgement, amps up the god-complex, and makes them the horniest creature on the planet. Pair that, with someone trying to seduce him for intel-- it’s honestly quite clever. But,” she sighed, “he’ll be fine. Annoying, but fine.”  

“That...make sense....” Sakura muttered, rubbing her chin. She sighed, “What can we do? Do we just have to wait for the drug to wear off, or...?”  

Tsunade shrugged, “It can go either way. You can just allow it to wear...but, really—this would be a great learning opportunity. I don’t think you’ve come across a drug quite like this—and I can teach you how to flush it out of his system. But—and I’m warning you—it's not going to be pretty.”  

Sakura’s brow ticked, “What does it require?”  

“A jutsu much like Ino’s-- it allows you into their mind. You’re not controlling him, mind you—you're just there. From there, you’ll use your chakra to fill that space of his mind and just clear it from the inside out.” Tsunade flicked her honey gaze to Kakashi, “You might spew, by the way.”  

“ Are there going to be repercussions for just...getting into his head?” Sakura hummed. “It seems...I don’t know...”  

At this, Tsunade shook her head, “It’s not like you’re taking control of his mind-- and it’s not like you lose your own thinking, either. You're just sort of in his mental space, while still having your own. The thing is...it’s sort of complicated. It’s like you’re sharing the same mental space. It’s an old jutsu that hasn’t been used often, if at all anymore, because of what it can do. Back in the day, if we had a ninja dealing with severe anxiety or PTSD—we'd use that jutsu, get in their head, and sort of give them soothing energy. Think calm thoughts, sort of like a mantra—and they’d pick it up. For the most part, it helped—but, as it is, not everyone is strong enough for these types of things. For some medic nins, being inside the head of a battle-hardened jonin was too much to handle. Other times, it was the ninja receiving the treatment that would get upset over whatever the other nin could have been thinking at the time. Sometimes, there were others that did use it for torture. Get in their head, spread nightmares and the like. We’d long abandoned it, all things considered. But,” she glanced at Kakashi and back to Sakura, smiling, “you two are incredibly strong in your own way, so I have no doubt that this will be a breeze. Besides, you won’t be there long, Sakura. Ten, twenty minutes tops.”  

“I don’t know if he’d be okay--” Sakura began.  

“I’m ready when you are,” Kakashi cut with a grinning eyes. He tapped his temple, “Just mind the trauma—you can step around it, if you’d like.”  

Tsunade snorted, picking up her hands and forming the first seal, “Pay attention to my pace when forming seals. It’s important that you form them smoothly and in a calm manner. You want to walk into the space of his brain as gently as possible. If you form them in a frenzy, you’ll burst in and who knows what we’ll break.”  

“Not broken, just bent,” Kakashi remarked with two finger guns.  

“Stop it,” Tsunade barked over her shoulder offhandedly, keeping her eyes on Sakura’s hands as Sakura slowly formed the seals herself. The Hokage nodded, “Very good—you're such a quick learner, Sakura. Now, this is what you’ll do,” she grabbed Sakura and plopped her down on the hospital bed, turning her to face Kakashi. “Keep your gaze locked with his, form the seals, and say the words: Mind Merge No Justsu.” Tsunade’s gaze was earnest, “Remember-- you’re walking into the space of his mind, not running. Take your time, I’ll be here in case something goes bad—which I don’t expect it to. Remember, when you want out, release.”  

Sakura sucked in a breath, breathing slowly out of her nose. She closed her eyes, hands faintly forming the seals several more times before she decided to open her eyes; meeting the impish gaze of Kakashi. Somewhere, her anxiety told her this was a bad idea. Somewhere, she felt like maybe she should let the drug wear off—but he was in a constant state of dehydration and she thought maybe if the drug left his system, his chakra would begin to replenish. Plus, as much as she didn’t want to do this-- it was good to learn, should this come up again with anyone else; she’d know what to do, which is what mattered most to Sakura. This wasn’t to share mental space with the man, which she dread. It was educational.  

With another low breath, Sakura raised her hands; forming the five seals as smoothly as she possibly could, not rushing the movement of one going into the other. She murmured the names of the seals, eyes steady with his own; breathing evenly, keeping her thoughts strong and sure despite the anxiety in her stomach. She’d never done something like this before. She worried what he would see in her mind, or if it was simply something she projected.  

Would he know what she was imagining that day at the spring? Could he see that, since he’d just recently brought it up and she was brooding over it?  

Was this really a good idea?  

Sakura breathed out, “Mind Merge No Jutsu.”  

There was a snap. Not like the kind someone would make with their fingers, or the snap of a breaking bone; it was subtle, as if one had barely stepped on a twig and let off. The lids of her eyes had closed, but Sakura wasn’t there. The world around her morphed, melted, and bubbled away like sea foam. It was black, open space; much like when you’re sleeping with an eye mask on. Her mind was alert, and for a second it felt as though maybe she’d done something wrong—until she saw it.  

Sakura had no idea what to expect when being in someone’s mental space—but she mildly imagined it would be like walking into an empty white room. It was most certainly not that. She was moving, but she couldn’t hear her own footfalls. In the distance she saw bodies, heard faint voices that, as she neared, sounded like children bickering. One kid she recognized immediately as Kakashi, and the other Rin from photos she’d seen of her. There was a third kid, and it didn’t take much brain power to deduce that it was Obito. Kakashi and Obito were forehead to forehead, bickering back and forth over something while Rin watched with crossed arms. Rin opened her mouth to speak, arms reaching forward to separate the two boys before the fizzled out; replaced with a burning camp fire, an older man sharing Kakashi’s hair color sat beside it. He poked at the flames with a stick, glancing back when Kakashi approached and sat beside him. “Father...” he begun.  

They fizzled out, too.  

She wondered why the memories appeared from an outside view, considering they were in Kakashi’s mind—but maybe this was what he was projecting? She was unsure.  

To her right came a familiar laugh of none other than Naruto; running, waving excitedly. He was small, and it must had been one of their first training sessions. Naruto morphed into a young Sasuke tied to a tree, dark eyes glaring daggers at a tall Kakashi. That morphed into a scene from the war, of Kakashi on his knees with Sakura herself behind him; flowing chakra into him. She remembered this moment, how intimate the conversation had been. It was one of the first candid conversations they had, that led to may more in their friendship. He had expressed a lot of his worries, even let her in on how her felt towards his own failures. She had assured him he was no failure; had given him a long, drawn out speech about the man she knew him to be. That no one is perfect.  

It was at that moment, the other Sakura spoke as the other Kakashi looked up at her. She grinned at him, though her gaze was fierce, “I know it sounds tacky, Kakashi, but...life isn’t about how often you fall. It’s about getting the fuck back up.”  

“You’re right,” he mused after several beats. “You’re absolutely right.”  

The pair faded out, swirled away and morphed again in the black space. It was the bar many of the jonin frequent, and all of the tables were full of ninja—except the one she was looking at now. It only had two—herself and Kakashi. They were laughing over some shared joke, drunk on sake, tapping their glasses as if they had something to cheer for. Kakashi pointed over at Guy, chuckling something that had other Sakura tipping her head back and practically cackling. She turned her head, cupped her hands and yelled, “HEY, Guy! I heard--”  

They broke apart, shifting into a tall oak tree where she often found Kakashi perched in. The other Sakura was donned in that brilliant red dress Ino had loaned her—since she didn’t want to drop the money. It was a formal dinner for the hospital, and as top medic ninja she was obligated to show up, even if she wanted to stay at home and gorge on ice cream. While the place they were having dinner was completely opposite of Kakashi’s reading tree, she had somehow made herself walk along that way; and if she remembered correctly, she had wanted Kakashi to notice her. The other Sakura lit up like a Christmas tree when other Kakashi came leaping down, teasing her about who she forced on a date. Other Sakura shot back that he was jealous, to which other Kakashi chuckled and remarked, “Any man would be jealous, considering how you look in that dress. Then again,” he shrugged, “you could wear a potato sack, and I think they’d be jealous.” He then offered to walk her there, hands in pockets as they giggled over something she couldn’t hear.  

It disappeared, and for a long time there was nothing but darkness. Sakura noted that maybe this wasn’t so bad, and she began to gather all of her energy. She visualized her chakra, felt it in her fingers as it hummed and began to fill the dark space; to attach to his neurons, to push the drug away from his brain and out of his system.  

To her left came soft, subtle moaning. Particles formed a spring; a rock, and Sakura’s naked form. Other Sakura’s head was tipped back, her hand plunged desperately between her legs; chest and breast practically heaving. She could hear the splash of water on her feet and legs, she could see the pink flush in her body. She watched other Sakura orgasm; pink brow pulled in tight, teeth clenched and hissing, “Yes, Kakashi—yes...”  

It snapped, flashed and it was other Sakura again; remarking to Kakashi there was nothing else she could do to help him until he saw Tsunade. Other Kakashi replied that there was something she could do, but she remembers writing him off herself. But then words were spoken, an entirely different conversation they never had—which could only mean he’d imagined it.  

“Oh, yeah?” Other Sakura hummed, hands on her hips. “And what would that be?”  

“You can come on my face,” other Kakashi replied darkly.  

Other Sakura gasped, and she gasped, too. It was in an instant that it changed again, and they were in a room somewhere Sakura couldn’t make out aside from the fact that there was a bed. Other Sakura’s legs were spread wide and trembling, her body rolling in reaction to Kakashi’s long tongue. This reminded Sakura of what she’d imagined that day at the spring, of her hands bound with him between her legs—and in that instant, that's what happened to other Sakura. Each dainty wrist was bound with what she thought to be a tie—she was unsure. She couldn’t focus. All of her repressed emotions seemed to be spilling out, watching this...memory...or projected image...or whatever it was—playing out what she’d gotten herself off to. She was back in that space, that mental space of  want.  Her body  wanted  his body. Her body  craved  his attention.  She craved his attention.  The pair before her shifted and it was just like Sakura had imagined that day; Kakashi gripping her hips, Sakura looming over him and sinking down onto his cock. Other Sakura moaned, other Kakashi thrusted up; and she fucking moaned.  

To her right, another pair of them appeared; kissing hotly under a tree, hands roaming freely on each other’s bodies and she recognized it to be the day she wore the red dress. In front of her they formed, holding each other intimately with touching foreheads and murmuring words. Another set, with other Sakura bent over and Kakashi thrusting wildly behind her. And another, with Sakura’s body twisted to the side while his cock rocked in and out of her slowly. They were behind her, washing plates and discussing who was going to make tea. They were around her, and Sakura lost track of who was thinking what—only that it was everywhere. She tried to spread her chakra, but she began to get lost in the overwhelming amount of lust and...something else. The pair on her left were connected, his cock buried deep inside her, her legs hooked around his waist. He rocked in her, kissed her lips and murmured, “You are so goddamned beautiful, it kills me.”  

And then other Sakura was coming.  

And then  she  was coming.  

She doesn’t remember releasing herself, only that she was back in her own body with snapped open eyes and a breathy gasp. She doesn’t know why her body was responding this way, but she tremored ever so slightly; sex pulsing and clenching faintly. It wasn’t a world-shaking orgasm, it was subtle and quick-- but it was happening. Happening while Kakashi gazed at her, twin midnight eyes burning with remarkable heat.  

Tsunade placed a hand on Sakura’s shoulder, jolting her, “You okay?? What happened?? Why are you shaking??”  

Sakura stood off the bed abruptly, shaking her head, “I...couldn’t do it. I...I have to go.”  

Tsunade stood in the way, scowling, “Wait-- what happened? Sakura, the drug--”  

“Will wear off,” she bit back, surprising Tsunade. “It’ll wear off. There’s a lot and...it’s too much. I can’t do it...I’m...I’m sorry.” Sakura ducked her head, weaving around Tsunade’s frame and making a quick escape through the door.  

Kakashi said nothing as she left. 
Still, she felt the weight of his gaze all the way out the door. 

---

Tsunade turned, glaring at Kakashi, “What did you do?”  

Kakashi held up his hands, praying to the gods she didn’t see his boner, “I didn’t do anything, your highness. She waltzed in and started explo—er, thinking...a lot. I suppose it wasn’t what she thought it was going to be. Maybe my mind is just too fucked up for her.”  

Tsunade pointed a finger at the man, “You know what I think?”  

“No, but I reckon you’re gonna tell me.”  

“I think,” She began, ignoring his quip, “that you two need to settle whatever-the-fuck is going on between you two.”  

Kakashi quirked a brow, “I don’t follow.”  

Tsunade deadpanned, “My asshole you don’t follow. You probably mentally mind-fucked her, and now--”  

“Tsunade-sama, in all fairness—she mentally mind-fucked  me.  And, for the record, you should not have let her do that jutsu to begin with.”  

“You didn’t stop her,” she rebutted, hands on her hips.  

“I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to...settle said whatever-the-fuck is going on,” Kakashi answered airily, waving his hand around. “It’s not my fault that she just let all of her repressed sexual energy out in  my  mind. You’re the Hokage, you should have seen this coming.”  

Tsunade held up a hand, “You know what—this has to be the drug talking. That’s tactless, and you know how Sakura has become with her emotions. She’s not the overly emotional little girl she used to be. She’s shut off a lot of that.”  

“I completely agree,” he supplied with a nod. “Which is why I felt like if she were in my head, she’d see it from my perspective, but...I mean...it’s honestly hard to place.”  

Thin brows ticked, “What do you mean?”  

Kakashi sighed, feeling suddenly dizzy, “I mean...when she stepped in-- I still knew what I was thinking. Initially. But then it all sort of...”  

“Merged?”  

He nodded, swallowing.  

“That’s the jutsu,” she snorted. “The difference is that you’re strong enough to keep these separate and think what needs to be thought to perform the task at hand. Which she failed at.” 

“Can you blame her?” Kakashi chuckled weakly, breaking out in a sweat. “Have you seen this face? This body? This...this...” Kakashi jerked his mask down abruptly, bending over the side of the bed and vomiting.  

Tsunade rolled her eyes, “Riveting.”  

---

When Sakura broke through the front door of her apartment, she collapsed on her couch and placed a pillow over her face; screaming. Her heels dug into the carpet, fingers clawing at the fabric of her pillow. Once she’d run out of air in her lungs, she tossed the pillow across the room; small hands coming to press against her temples, eyes closed and bemoaning miserably.  

“What the fuck,” she moaned, shaking her head. “What the  fuck .”  

She was shocked. 
She was absolutely shell-shocked and beyond mortified. 

Not only did she fail to do what Tsunade had instructed her to do, but she completely failed at keeping it together when she was in...there...Kakashi’s head. She didn’t even  try.  The moment she stepped in there, everything she’d kept neatly tucked away happily burst from within her, exposing her. Drug or no drug, Kakashi was without a single doubt going to remember what happened today—both inside his mind and outside.  

She fucking  came  for Christ’s sake.  

And he  knew.  

She knew he knew—they were connected. Her mind happily melded in with his own; happily put on display her most secret thoughts. He felt them, in the same way she did. She’d made him feel like that.  

She’d figured that out, or at least—it was the conclusion she’d drummed up.  

On her trek home from the hospital, a small part wondered where his thinking had ended and hers had begun. Had he started it? Did she? She can’t remember. She can only remember how vivid it all seemed; how drenched in desire and emotion everything was. And, thinking back on what Tsunade said about the drug, Sakura could only assume that all of those were because of her thinking, and not Kakashi’s own free thinking. He was drugged, meaning that his thinking is being altered—so his mind is only coming up with what the drug is telling it to.  

Which means that, even for the sweeter memories—on some level, it had to be the drug.  

It’s what made sense.  

It’s also what made her gut sink to the very pit of her stomach. To think that she, in the end, got herself so worked up that her physical body actually responded.  

It was the fucking spring all over again.  

She sighed, digging the heels of her hands into her eyes before she shot up suddenly; discarding her clothes as she made her way to the shower. Sakura ripped her hair from its pony tail, stepping under the steaming spray of water; letting it run over her face, along her scalp and neck. She was feeling overwhelmed. A lot had happened in such a short amount of time—she was too tired to process it. Too tired to dissect what Kakashi meant when he said the enemy had changed into who he desired most and indicating it was her. Too tired to wonder why he’d remarked about her smell, or the fact that he was trying to goad out of her if she was into him or not. Too tired to wonder why he brought up the spring at all, too tired to realize it must all be connected. So tired, in fact, that her thinking it must have all been the drug all along solidified for her.  

Despite the odd pang she felt in her chest, she figured as much...  

It must be the drug.  

---

The next day had come, and when Sakura’s alarm clock screamed at her to get up; she bashed her fist along the top of it, both silencing it and cracking the plastic. It was around four in the morning, and she’d got absolutely no sleep at all.  

Not a fucking wink.  

She’d tossed and turned all night, worried her lip and fret over the thought of if Tsunade had known what happened...playing the moment over and over in her head, her cheeks burning so hot that she was positive they’d stay red forever. Her mind split into multiple parts; one portion blaming herself for allowing any of this to happen, another part beating herself up for how stupid she’d been. She’d try to reason momentarily, telling herself that she was an adult and she shouldn’t be ashamed of herself—before quickly realizing that being caught coming in front of the same person twice in a public setting was most definitely the rule. To top it off, visions of what she saw so brilliantly in the space of their shared minds flinted across the front of her brain, halting her every time. They halted her, because they were so  real.  As if her body could still feel it, even though nothing physically happened. As if she were actually there, gliding up and down his glistening cock. It made her body react, her pussy contract with a need so agonizing that she was half tempted to run her hands down her pajamas to ease the pressure.  

She didn’t. 
But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t want to. 

Sakura sat up with a groan, scratching her fingers deep along her scalp and slouching over heavily. It was with a heavy sigh that she finally drug herself out of bed, lumbering to the closet to snag some clothes before going to the bathroom to at least try and look decent. She brushed her teeth and managed to squeeze in her morning skin care routine; deciding to braid the thick locks of her hair instead of putting it up in a bun like she usually did. By the time she was done, she was snagging a banana off her kitchen counter and exiting her apartment.  

She crossed her arms in front of her, bracing against the chill in the early morning air; cursing herself that she didn’t snag her sweater and only realizing when she was over halfway to the hospital. To exhausted to care, she trekked on; swinging open a double door, dreading the fluorescent lights above as she entered. She felt her pupils adjust, her ears perk as nurses came and went. Sakura would like to say that she loved early mornings because they were soft and quiet, a tender break from the typical chaos that comes with running a shinobi hospital—but, really, they were running a shinobi hospital. Shit got chaotic at the drop of a hat, so she had to go into each shift braced for what could happen.  

Because, as the saying goes among those at the hospital; it’s Konoha—shit happens.  

Just as Sakura passed the first main desk, she was greeted with a very run-down looking Taiku; several files tucked into his arm, black hair unruly, and glasses off center. Taiku was relatively new to the hospital; he transferred from the hospital in Suna at the same time Tsunade had sent Sakura’s main assistant Himi to the Suna hospital. The elders and hospital captains agreed that the swap from different countries would be good. What Taiku has come across in just Suna, Himi nor most of those in Konoha have ever seen; and visa versa. It was for educational purposes that they did the swap, so more knowledge can be shared and spread so that the health of the people could be attended to with ease. While Sakura was sad to see Himi go, as she’d always been great about getting work done, she had to say that Taiku was a breath of fresh air. Himi was prone to bursts of agitation, not that Sakura blamed her at all—but from time to time her attitude could be a problem. Taiku, on the other hand, was a persistent ray of sunshine. Even in the midst of pure havoc, which there had been a time or two, he was still smiling and working diligently.  

Along with his winning personality and capability to hang when the shit gets tough, he was already well liked at the hospital. He was reliable and kind. Everyone appreciated that about him, and everyone got on easily with him because of that.  

And, Sakura had to admit, it probably helped that he was pretty easy to look at.  

Taiku sported eyes so rich and brown that one of the nurses had compared them to the finest chocolate. His smile was incredibly soft and genuine, he was tall and while not cut like the shinobi men of the village—in good shape nonetheless. He had a mussed mop of short black curls, an angled face, and almond shaped eyes; he was tall and he always smelled like cologne. So, it goes without saying, that there have been a lot of nurses that have asked Sakura to get them in good with Taiku—seeing as he spent most of his time around her. Of course, she didn’t do that—she only ever teased them to ask him out themselves. But, one by one, they’d all pout and remark that he—kindly—shot them down. After some time, Sakura thought maybe he played for the other team, much to the other women’s lament.  

Except, it wasn’t soon after that he began to ask  Sakura  what her plans were every now and then. It started with wondering if she wanted to get out of there and get a drink, to remarking he was making a specific kind of dinner and asking if she’d like to join him. The manner in which he asked was kind, and it wasn’t like Sakura  wasn’t  attracted to him—it's just that for every time he mustered the courage to ask, she was simply busy with something. Be it the hospital, a mission, or something else. He never took it hard, because she assumed she wasn’t out right saying no.  

She just never had time.  

Sakura stopped in front of the man, remarking, “Rough night?”  

Taiku stifled a yawn, nodding, “You could say that.”  

“The files?”  

He handed them out, “We took in three shinobi in the middle of the night. The mission they were on was S-rank, and I guess things took a turn for the worse because they had to retreat. One of the men broke almost every single bone in his body if you can believe it—something about a rock technique and a boulder landing on him. Another one got kicked in the face pretty hard and his nose is pretty fucked up. Ah, and the last one has gone mute.”  

Sakura grimaced, “Mute??”  

Taiku nodded, fixing his glasses, “Yeah. Some sort of mind jutsu got used on him and the other two said that he hasn’t spoken since.”  

Sakura felt her eye twitch, “Well...to be fair, who knows what could possibly go on with those.”  

“Tons of fucked up things, I’d gather.”  

“Tons,” she muttered, flipping open one file and thumbing through it. She snapped it shut, placing it flat against Taiku’s chest, “Right, this is the plan. We’ll have the girls do rounds on who we’ve still got in here. I’ll gather a team and we’ll get to work on those three shinobi. Have Sauma try to get the mute one to talk—she's always been really empathetic. I’ll--”  

Taiku raised a finger, “Ah...Just one thing.”  

“What??”  

Taiku cleared his throat, “The Hokage was here this morning...”  

Pink brows shot up in surprise, “Before me?? This early??? Why???”  

He shook his head, “I think it had to do with the three shinobi, but...before she left, she told me to tell you to personally check in on one patient before you do anything else.”  

“Um...what??” She pressed, feeling her teeth set and hating that she already knew who it was. “I don’t have time, one of the nurses will have to attend to hi—who ever it is.”  

Taiku laughed sheepishly, scratching along his thick locks, “Sakura...I know you’ve got a system—and I’m not here to tell you what to do, but...The Hokage, ah...I mean, she threatened to literally tear my balls off if you didn’t do what she’s instructed. And,” he coughed, seemingly nervous, “she said that if she finds out you didn’t see the patient she’d, quote, ‘make your life a living hell.’”  

At this, Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a drawn out sigh. She shook her head, scowling deeply and muttering, “Unbelieveable.”  

“The patient is Kaka--”  

Sakura held up a hand, cutting him off, “I know who it is.”  

Taiku stopped, expression sympathetic. He laughed, “I’m sorry. I do my best to make the start of your shift as easy for you as possible, and I’ve heard around the water cooler how much of a pain in the ass he can be when it comes to being a patient--”  

“You have no idea,” she drawled, rolling her eyes. “Pain in the ass is just a statement we use in general for Kakashi. He is a constant thorn in my side.”  

Taiku nodded, remarking offhandedly, “If he’s such a pain in the ass—and I’m not trying to be nosey, but—why do you hang out with him so much?”  

The rosette quirked a brow, “That’s being nosey.”  

He chuckled, dimples showing, “Sorry, I guess I just can’t help myself. You’re just always with him, and you never really have time to hang out with anyone—at least, with me. So, I just sort of figured maybe something was going on between you two.”  

“There’s not,” she bit, with more venom than she’d intended.  

Taiku tilted his head and raised a brow.  

She straightened, making her tone even, “There’s not.”  

Chocolate eyes glanced down briefly, “In that case...Look, I know this is incredibly unprofessional of me, but I feel like I never have the time to just talk to you—there's always something going on, or you’re busy, or something. I’d hoped that by my asking you to hang here and there maybe you’d get the hint that I was...” He paused, shaking his head and grinning, “Look, I really dig you. I think you’re really cool, and really smart, and you’re stunning to boot. I’m not asking you to fall in love with me, nor am I expecting you to do anything romantic in the slightest.” Taiku smiled, all teeth, “I just want you to have a fuckin’ drink with me.”  

Sakura paused, blinking at the smiling man. She deliberated, thoughts running rapidly across the space of her mind.  

What was so wrong with getting a drink with him?  

Taiku was handsome. 
He was kind. 
He was smart. 
He was considerate. 

And it’s not like he was asking her out on a date, so much as it was just getting drinks. It had been awhile since she’d had the company of someone that wasn’t Kakashi or her regular inner circle. It would be nice to go out and blow off some steam, it’s not like she didn’t get along with the man—and she figured he was probably fun outside of work.  

It’s not like she was seeing anyone, anyways. 
She didn’t belong to anyone. 

She was single, and everything that happened with Kakashi was a mistake that would be easily forgotten—just like the spring was. He’d drop it now, like he did then; because they’ll both know he was high off his ass and she got lost the in the sauce of it.  

Real Kakashi would never look at her under that light, regardless of how close their friendship was.  

Sakura tilted her head and flashed a smile of her own, “You know what? I’ll take you up on that offer.”  

Taiku’s face lit up, “Wait-- really??”  

Sakura giggled, “Yes, really. How about tonight? I get off at three—I can meet you somewhere around six?”  

“Uh...” He shook his disbelief, nodding eagerly, “Y-yeah, totally. How about Big Sun? I’ve heard they’ve got some good drinks there.”  

“Big Sun it is,” she replied with a nod. “Until then—we've got work to focus on. Since I’ve got to check on a certain someone, how about you gather the team to help the three shinobi who just came in? I won’t be long.”  

Taiku’s eye seemed to glint, and he gave Sakura a small salute, “Roger that.”  

They began to part, Sakura several steps towards the hall when Taiku called her name. She turned, “What?”  

“He won’t be...I don’t know...upset, will he?”  

Sakura cocked her head to the side, perplexed, “Who...? About what...?”  

Taiku plucked a shoulder, “Kakashi-- about us getting drinks. He won’t be upset, will he—since that’s been a thing between you two? I’m not, like, stealing his thunder?”  

Sakura couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled from her chest past her lips. In the back of her mind, she thought it was hilarious that anyone could fathom stealing  Kakashi’s  thunder, considering the power the silver-haired man held in just one pinky. She also thought, however, how irksome it was that Kakashi has left such a heavy impression on her life that others have remarked on it. Had her friendship with the Copy Nin chased other men away, too?  

Has Kakashi said something to others...to make Taiku think such a thing?  

Suddenly Sakura’s laughter died, and she was scowling, “What would make you say that?? Did he say something?”  

Taiku raised his hands up, shaking his head vigorously, “Oh-- no, not at all. In fact, he’s been nothing but nice to me. I guess it’s just...maybe I’m reading into it too much, but—he gets this look in his eye, sometimes. It’s like, on the surface he’s cool, but there’s something underneath. That’s why I asked if you two were a thing, because he’s always  looking at you. Just watching you. I thought maybe, I don’t know, he’s jealous or something. Plus,” Taiku sighed, “we are talking about the Copy Nin, here. I am not a ninja like you are, so if he wanted to take me on, I don’t stand a chance.”  

She shook her head, her own hand raised, “Don’t worry about Kakashi. He’s not jealous, I’ve got plenty of other friends I hang out with all the time. He’s my friend—not my lover. And, let’s say he was and he tried something—which he wouldn’t-- all I’d have to do is speak and he’d stop. Trust me, I’ve got him sewn up.”  

“Alright,” Taiku sang, sucking in air through his teeth, “I’m taking your word for it, Sakura.” He gave a small wave, “I’ll get the team.”  

“Good,” she replied, nodding at him before turning on her heel and down the hall.  

She’d passed two doors before she stopped at the one Kakashi was in; placing her fist against it to knock, though the door easily gave when she added pressure. She placed her fingers on the wood, pushing it open the rest of the way and asking sharply, “Is there a reason your door is cracked open?”  

Kakashi was sat up in the hospital bed, seemingly alert for how early it was. His hair was messier than usual, but knowing him it was from lack of sleep, given the fact he hated hospitals. She made her way to the edge of the bed, plucking up the chart and going over notes the nurses from overnight had left. Kakashi gave her no answer, he simply watched her as she mulled over what was written.  

Though, if she were being honest, the silence was eerie. The tension was so thick she felt like she was wading through quicksand. The excitement from making plans with Taiku quickly melted and that knot was back in her stomach; the same twisting feeling she’d felt all night. She kept her eyes narrowed, jaw set and determined to pretend that yesterday never happened. Sakura took the pen out from the jaw of the clipboard, peering up at the monitor to jot some numbers down. As soon as she did that, she fiddled with the IV bag to his right before stopping in front of the chalkboard to fill out the daily information. During all of this, she made no effort to chat with the man; let alone look at him. What surprised her was that he made no effort, either. Of course, they’d shared a thousand silent moments—but they were never like this. Every single inch of her skin could feel him watching her; and, for a split second, she was worried he’d heard her conversation with Taiku.  

Sakura didn’t know why she worried about that, but she quickly dismissed it; instead focusing on the clock, even going as far as to write down the meal schedule.  

 As soon as standard protocol had been finished, Sakura managed to turn and face the man. He appeared as he’s always been—aloof, mysterious, and reserved. There appeared to be no tension in his shoulders, nor subtle tick of his jaw he sometimes gets when he’s really brooding over something. In fact, his gaze was nothing but waiting; patiently, even.  

It unnerved her.  

Sakura cleared her throat, “Kakashi. How are you feeling?”  

“I’m fine.”  

“Alright,” she hummed, nodding. “Do you still feel stoned? How does your body feel?”  

“I don’t feel stoned, and my body feels fine,” he answered robotically.  

Sakura stood there for a second, the weight of the room nearly too much to bear. She could feel her chest going tight, the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. She sucked in a slow breath, “Right, well...I’ll have to run my chakra to your head, just to see if it’s gone myself.”  

Kakashi gestured with his hand, “You’re the doctor.”  

“Yeah,” she muttered, brow ticking before she placed herself to in front of Kakashi, on the left side of the bed. She brought her hands up, fingertips grazing along his temple, “Alright...here goes...”  

Kakashi said nothing. He merely raised his chin to meet her gaze, dark eyes scrutinizing her. She closed her eyes, then; happy to break the gaze, happy to focus on something else. She began to run her chakra into his temples, along blood vessels and cells; over his brain, covering neurons, and the delicate brain cells within. She was pleased to find that the drug was, in fact, nowhere to be found. It wasn’t on his brain, and it hadn’t moved anywhere else in his body. He was considerably hydrated, his heart was strong, and the damage he’d received being interrogated was healed beautifully—thanks to none other than herself. As she did a final sweep of his system, Sakura couldn‘t help the thoughts that flashed across her brain; intrusive and fleeting. She felt her cheeks go suddenly hot at how awful they had been during the night; her mouth part at the intimacy of the moment they shared. Just as quick as the thoughts came, more followed. Thoughts of how fucking stupid she must be, and how this man made it his mission to embarrass her. How he‘d only sought her out because a drug made him do it.  

And then came the questions.  

Questions, like why was she feeling this way?  

Why did it feel like her brain was being torn into a thousand different directions?  

Why couldn‘t she feel a consistent way?  

Why did she want him...crave him...so bad?  

In a huff, Sakura pulled back; dropping her hands to her sides and opening her eyes. Kakashi peered up at her expectantly, though she could tell something was brewing deep within his gaze. She knew his mind was running, though with what, she didn’t know.  

He was probably disgusted with her.  

He probably thought she was some love-sick fool.  

Sakura took a step back, widening the distance between them so she could breathe. She gave a curt nod, “It looks like everything is in the green. I’ll have one of the nurses discharge you right away.”  

Kakashi gave his own slow nod, “Thank you.”  

“It’s...no problem,” she hummed, turning to pick up the chart and scribble that his system was cleared; hooking back on the end of the bed. She faced Kakashi, remarking, “If at any point you start to feel really dehydrated, it could be after shocks from the drug. I know you probably won’t, but I’d like for you to come back so we can administer and IV-- if that happens.”  

Kakashi gave a two-finger salute, “Will do.”  

Sakura stood awkwardly, hands clasped, “Was...there anything else you needed?”  

Kakashi shook his head, “No. I’m all sewn up.”  

Sakura felt her fist ball, “That’s why the door was cracked—you were  eavesdropping.”  

“ Not on purpose,” Kakashi answered easily. “One of the nurses failed to shut it all the way. It's not my fault that you and Taiku talk at the top of your lungs.”  

“Is that why you’re acting like this?” She bit, fists on her hips. “Because of our conversation?”  

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Sakura. In fact, I can’t even form an opinion. I don’t have time to think, when I’m sitting at the feet of my master eagerly awaiting her order.”  

Sakura scoffed, “Really?? That is  not  even remotely close to what I had said.”  

Kakashi raised a finger, “But you said it, nonetheless. And while I consider myself a pretty laid back guy—that was stooping pretty low, don’t you think?”  

“I was just trying to make Taiku feel better!” She barked. “He’s intimidated by you, and--”  

“And what?” Kakashi hummed. “You didn’t want to ruin the date?”  

“It’s not a date,” she growled. “We’re getting drinks. That’s it.”  

“You might want to run that by him, because it sounds like he thinks it’s a date whether he states it is or not,” Kakashi supplied. “And really, you should be clearer about how you feel, Sakura. It might throw people in for a loop if you flip flop all the time.”  

Sakura blustered, head shaking, “What are you even going on about? It’s just drinks. I get drinks with Ino. Naruto. Lee. Hell, even Kiba.” She jerked her hand in his direction, “I get drinks with you—all the time. We’ve never called it a date.”  

“But have you not considered it?” He rebutted. “I mean, that poor man has been asking non-stop about dinner, drinks, so on and so forth. How many times have you been over to my house—and we’ve shared a meal? How often would I ask you if you’d like to go shopping with me—or take the dogs for a walk?”  

“As  friends,”  she hissed.  

Kakashi laughed bitterly, head dipping, “Yeah, Sakura—friends. Because what happened at the spring is definitely what friends do. Or that night you wore that dress and I offered to rub your feet because the heels killed you—that's definitely what friends do. How about that night we’d slept on my couch, shared the same blanket, and wrapped our arms around the other because the power went out and it was cold as shit. You kissed my temple and thanked me for keeping you warm. Do friends do that??”  

Sakura faltered, at a loss for words.  

Kakashi leaned forward, gaze intense, “And yesterday—explain that. Do friends graphically fuck each other in the shared space of their mind? Did you come—or was it me? I can’t recall.”  

Sakura’s face grew brutally hot. She felt her eyes squint and water; Kakashi’s expression falling when tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes.  

“Fuck  you,  Kakashi,” she sniffed, turning sharply and nearly sprinting for the door.  

“We’re  friends,”  he shot back.  

“Go to hell,” Sakura growled.  

“Halfway there,” Kakashi muttered as she left the room.