Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Last Petal Falling ❯ Trust Me ( Chapter 1 )

Choices.

 

 

 

 

We all have to make them. We make them without even realizing it. Choosing to save what you can do tomorrow or get it over with right then. That's just a small example of the many decisions we have to choose on a daily basis. Some more than others. Each one you make leads to another, which leads to another and the never-ending cycle goes on and on until our last heartbeat.

Ultimately, it's the consequences of the choices you make that determine what path you're going to take in life. But, my choices weren't necessarily the best, so I can't really be lecturing you on how to live the `perfect' life. I was far from it, believe me.

I had gone to the wrong side of the railroad tracks and I sure as hell wasn't going back. That is, until I met a certain man who convinced me otherwise. It's not like he was an angel who was trying to make me turn a 180. That was quite the contrary. If anything, he was a devil sent straight from Hell's gates. Even though he would almost always get under my skin, he did have a soft, and dare I say, tender side to him.

He made me view the world in an entirely new perspective that I sometimes wonder to myself about the choices I made in the past. Now, I feel foolish for making such stupid decisions. But there is one that I will never, ever regret.

 

 

And that was…meeting him.

 

 

It was a regular Friday, and I had to `work', nothing special. My alarm buzzed off, and got slammed off by my limp hand I as I yawned and stretched out my arms, but I had completely forgotten about my other wake-up call.

“SAKURA-CHAAAN!” A voice hollered as the front door had slammed shut. “Come on already!”

I heard his footsteps come closer and closer until he swung open the door, and groaned. He then walked closer and I felt my feet being yanked and I grabbed the headboard of my bed, not wanting to get out of it.

“Sakura! Let! Go!”

“I wanna sleep!” I whined, then wrapping my entire arm around the bedpost.

“Come on, let go!”

“Never!”

“Do you know what time it is?!”

“Yes. It's time to go back to sleep, now leave me alone,” I grumbled as I pulled the covers over me, but they quickly got yanked away and showed a rather upset blonde with the face of a boy.

“It's 10:30.”

“So?”

“Ino's already down there.”

“Shit,” I hissed as I got out of bed and went to the closet so I could get changed, quickly throwing off last night's clothes to the side and putting on my fishnets that had a couple of holes, but hey, it's not they'll be on for long, right?

“Naruto, hand me that skirt on my dresser.”

I didn't hear a response after that.

“And just what the hell are you going to wear with it? It looks like a baby threw up tomatoes.”

“Well,” I said, pulling out a long white top with a deep V-neck and opening at the sides. “I figured I'd go with this, my `lucky' boots and that skirt-”

“Mh-nn,” The male shook his head disdainfully. “You're not a slutty Catholic girl. Wear that red one instead,” He pointed behind me. “It'll compliment your legs.”

I grab the short, sleek, black miniskirt and held it up, questioning his sense of fashion.

“Uh, you sure about this?”

“I'm positive! Just try it on, and I'll be the judge of whether or not it looks good.”

“Fine,” I sighed as I quickly zip it up and throw over the white top and adjusted my leggings and put on my maroon boots which ended right over my knee's edge. I walked out of the closet, seeing the blue-eyed blonde with a concentrated look on his face, but oddly enough, he looked kind of cute when he made that face. Or maybe it was the furry hoodie that showed off his slimness or the tight black jeans that made him appealing. Either way, he was still looking sharp.

His hand motioned me to turn and I did, seeing one end of his mouth curl into a slight grin.

“Looks good to me.”

“Thanks,” I said as I hung a couple of thin, black stringy necklaces over my head and took a long look at myself in the mirror, exhaling a sigh as I see my best friend glance at my reflection with a small frown on his face.

“Hold on,” He said, grabbing a hair clip, and went behind me, putting up my hair as he fixed it.

“Where are those clippy thingies you use to put up your hair?”

“Hair pins?”

“Yeah, where are they?”

“Uh,” I mumbled as I rummaged through my drawers and grabbed a handful of them and placed them on the wood while he fastened a portion my hair with the giant clip and then pinned the stray lower bangs.

“Ouch,” I hissed.

“Sorry,” The blonde muttered. “Look at me.”

I did as told and he carefully pulled a few strands out and fixed my hairline. With the last strand he pulled out, his fingers held onto it a bit longer as he stared straight at me with his blue pools. He had a sad, solemn look in his eyes, and I knew why, but there was nothing I could do about it.

“Something's missing,” Naruto grumbled, slowly looking at me up and down, trying to figure out the missing piece. The male looked across my dresser (which was entirely covered in accessories, crumpled up dollar bills, you name it) and then, he picked up a red ribbon that was entirely adorned in black oriental swirls all over.

“I remember this,” The blonde chuckled as he rubbed the texture with his thumb. “I gave this to you for your 16th birthday. I thought you had thrown it away.”

“No! Of course not! I love it so much!”

“Well, good thing you didn't because I think this may be the just what we needed,” Naruto said quietly as he tied the ribbon around my head and I could feel his warm body distantly close to mine, and then I felt his hands brush against the back of my neck while he tied it and I felt the tie's silky touch on my neck.

“There.”

I looked at myself and saw my pink hair up in an oriental style with a few of the strands surrounding the frame of my face, bringing out my emerald eyes with the red and black band standing out and I put on a pair of fake pearls to match.

“Thank you, Naruto,” I said as I hugged him, and I sensed that at first, he wasn't expecting that, but I saw a smile unravel at the corner of my eye while he returned it and rubbed my back before patting it as he let go.

“Now, let's go,” My best friend sighed as we made our way out of the apartment, but I could still feel that he was uneasy about something.

“Naruto?” I ask softly as we climbed down the stairs and got on the sidewalk.

“Yeah?”

“Are…are you alright? You seem worried about something.”

“It's nothing, it's just some stuff that's on my mind,” The man sniffed as he stuffed his hands inside of his jacket pockets, and that was a give-away sign that something was up.

I turn to face him and place my hands on his shoulders, making direct eye-contact with the man in front of me.

“Tell me wh-”

“Okay, fine, since you insist. It's bothering me.”

“What is?”

“You know very well what.”

I avoided his gaze and stared at the sidewalk and heaved a sigh, not wanting to address this issue at this moment. I felt his hands cover mine while he looked at me with such innocence with those cerulean irises of his.

“Look, Sakura, you know I care about you. We've been friends since as long as I can remember and you've always watched my back and stopped me from doing stupid shit and getting myself into trouble. And…it's painful, watching you like this.”

“Naruto…” I muttered with a gaping mouth.

“I want to protect you before you get into trouble, Sakura. You doing this kind of thing everyday-”

“Naruto.”

“Let me finish. Whenever I see you wear these scandalous and revealing clothes, I always get worried. Yes, you are very attractive, curves and all, but, Sakura, I don't want you to get hurt. Especially the perverts in this city. You don't know what the hell could happen. They could put something in your drink and then, you don't remember a goddamned thing and before you know it, you've-”

“Naruto!” I yelled, pulling him back to the present, and then placed a hand on his cheek. “I'm not stupid. I know better than that. Why do you think I've been around so long.”

“I know, Sakura, but-”

“But nothing! You're sweet, but you're gonna tire yourself out if you keep on worrying about me,” I said with a smile as I gave him a quick peck on the lips, which made his face flush, and he turned around to wipe it off, but I only giggled.

And right then, my cell went off, and I quickly flipped it open and put it between my shoulder and mouth, motioning him to wait a second.

“Hello?”

“Just where the hell are you?” A female voice barked, which I recognized that it was no other than my friend, Ino.

“Just calm down, I-”

“I can't calm down! A lot of clients arrived and they're really yummy,” She giggled.

“Whore,” The blonde hissed, but I smacked him on the head, while I cleared my throat.

“Uh, Ino? Why did you call me?”

“To letcha know, ya dumbass. I thought maybe if I told you they were loaded, then maybe you would be early once in a while.”

“Just how loaded are they?”

“They treat their Jeffersons like Washingtons.”

I hung up and grabbed Naruto's wrist while I took off, all in the pursuit of sweet, glorious money and in no time at all, we were at the club's doors, hearing the bass boom from the sidewalk and I swung open the glass doors, seeing many fancy gents as the female had depicted, but I wasn't really into all of that `high and mighty' attitude they were showing off. I noticed that there was an entirely new crowd of men in business suits, but not all of them were as professional as their clothing, but that was to be expected of. What really made me on edge was that there was a group all the way in the back of the club that stared at everybody with looks that could kill. I tried not to look at them, but it was like telling a kid not to touch something.

“Stupid Ino-pig, she just wanted me make a fool of myself,” I grumbled.

“No shocker there,” The male chimed, which only earned him a cold glare.

“Well, I might as well get to work, even if I don't enjoy it,” I sighed as I looked at him and his troubled face. “Naruto, I'll be fine, I promise. This isn't my first time here, you know.”

“I know that, but it's those guys in the back that are making me nervous.”

“Who?” I asked as I looked where his eyes were locked on, seeing a small group of men all wearing the same attire—black suits with a red undershirt and a white tissue in their front pocket and they all looked a bit off, but I saw why he was a bit nervous. They gave looks that could kill, and it even made a couple of the guys that were looking at them turn their gaze the other way.

“Sakura, promise me you'll stay away from those thugs,” The golden-haired man said sternly, his azure irises still looking at them.

“I promise. Besides, they look like they need some aspirin rather than sex.”

“Okay. If you have any problems at all-”

“I know, I'll call you!”

The man nodded as he walked off, and I started pulling down my shirt and skirt and showed off what I had to offer as I walked in front of possible clients, but I wasn't at my A-Game because I knew Naruto strongly disliked seeing me like this. But what else could I do? I wasn't booksmart, I had no money, and I don't even live in my own space. That was Naruto's spare apartment that he offered to lend me, even though I insisted on paying him.

“Sakura!” Ino yelled over the crowd and waved her hand, motioning me for come over to where she was, and I saw that I was rivaled in looks.

Instead of having her hair in the usual ponytail, it was let down and she curled it, its wheat color complimenting nicely with the open muddy brown dress she wore that ended right at the edge of her kneecap when sitting down. Her bangles jingled as she walked towards me and gave me a hug before introducing me to her `client', who I couldn't tell if he was disappointed or just plain bored.

“Sakura, this is my friend, Shikamaru.”

“Hey,” He nodded.

“Nice to meet you,” I nodded, and then grabbed Ino by the wrist, looking back at the man who was redoing his huge ponytail. “I'll just borrow her for a second,” And then turned to Ino.

“He's cute, ne?” She gushed.

“Ahahaha, no. Ino, you said these guys were-”

“Loaded and yummy. What's the problem?”

“You need to slow down. Remember the golden rule.”

“Yeah, yeah. `Don't get tied down to a client', I know,” The blonde waved her hand.

“Well, you sure aren't acting like it,” I growled. Ino led me farther away from the ponytail-wearing man until she spoke.

“Relax. It's an act. I have to stick with him for a bit, and then it's payday, baby!” She squealed.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” I grabbed her shoulder and brought her back down to Earth. “Just how long do you have to stay with him and what is he planning on having you doing and-”

“Sakura, Sakura, Sakura,” The blonde shook her head as she chanted my name. “You worry too much. And besides, I've had more experience than you, so I know who not to deal with. Anyways, this guy's normal.”

“Normal?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well, with a sexual appetite, but still,” She flashed her goofy grin that told me not to worry, even though I still did.

“Just don't do anything stupid, okay Ino? And don't forget to call me!” I nagged as if I was her mom reminding her not to forget anything.

“Sakura, chill. You worry too much. That's why you have those worry lines all over your forehead,” She giggled as she walked back to her client.

“Stupid Ino-pig,” I grumbled as I tried not to worry about my friend, but I failed and soon, I was having a headache from all of the stress and at the time, I needed a drink bad.

“Bartender, can I have a Kamikaze please?” I said as I took a seat on the maroon stool.

“Sure,” The scruffy man said as he got out his drinks and glass and worked on my order while I looked around the club, seeing women just like me flirt pathetically. I rolled my eyes, but I was in no position to be talking. After all, I wasn't even having a real relationship with my patrons, whereas the ones they were having would probably be just another stupid choice they made.

“There ya go, miss,” The bartender said as he passed me my drink, while I got out the money from my boot.

“No charge.”

“Huh?” I ask.

“Someone paid for it.”

“Who?”

“They wanted it to be a secret.”

“Well, that's no fun,” I pouted, noticing the bartender putting up the `Be Back Whenever' sign. I'd hate to think he left because of me, but I shrugged it off and somehow, sitting there all alone on the stool, I closed my eyes as I thought about my life, feeling a bit pathetic, embarrassed, and even a bit upset at myself.

“Aren't you going to drink it?”

I squeaked in fright and jumped in shock, hearing a soft chuckle next to me. It was then that I felt something wet on my top and realize that I had spilled my drink on me. I groan in irritation while I tried to dab the alcohol out, and look to my left, seeing the source of the soft snickers were coming from. My eyes narrow down at him in a glare, but he only shot me an apathetic look with his mismatched eyes. His silver locks stood up in an odd manner and leaned to one side and on his crème face, there was a light pink mark from the temple on the right side of his face to the edge of his cheekbone. But it wasn't his oddly colored hair or the fact that one of his eyes were blue while the other was a deep crimson with three black birthmarks in them that made this man intriguing. It was actually the mask over his mouth that made me curious.

The man scratched the back of his head while he pulled down his army green denim jacket that went nicely with the loose white turtleneck that had the mask attached to it and the grey stonewashed jeans he was wearing that hugged his slim waist. This man was insanely attractive; there was no doubt about that. But when he stood next to me, I felt like a $5 pair of flip-flops from Wal-Mart next to a pair of Sperries.

“You didn't have to scare me like that,” I said quietly as I put on a solid façade and tried not to look at the grey-haired man.

“It's not my fault you're jumpy.”

“Well, I wouldn't have been jumpy if you didn't sneak up on me like that,” I grumbled as I took a sip of the drink.

“You like it?”

“What? Of course I don't like you sneaking up on me! Where the hell did you get that from?!”

He lowered his eyes at me.

“The drink.”

“Oh…” I mumbled quietly, feeling a slight blush spread around my cheeks at my stupidity. “Yeah, I like it, but…why are you wondering?”

“Are you high or just plain stupid?”

I scowled at him, but the male didn't retaliate.

“I sent the drink.”

“You sent the drink?”

“Didn't I just say that?”

“But why?”

“Why not? Is a reason needed? A drink is a drink, whatever way you look at it.”

“I suppose you're right,” I shrugged as I took a sip. “But don't think that this gets you a discount or anything. This is just a compliment, in my eyes.”

“I don't recall asking for one but it's not like I would need it.”

I narrowed my eyes at the silver-haired bastard. “Are you calling me cheap?”

“Oh, no, not at all. I was just suggesting that whatever your price is, I wouldn't need any markdowns on your services.”

“You sure talk big. What? Are you with those rich bastards over there?” I pointed my chin to Shikamaru and them.

“Does it really matter?”

“I guess not, as long as I'm getting paid.”

“Well, if I'm going to be paying you, I might as well know your name.”

“And you might as well check at how much I charge for my services before you go off being my buddy.”

“Well, we can always discuss that later, right? Now, may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?”

“You tell me yours, I'll tell you mine.”

He held out a gloved hand. “Kakashi Hatake.”

I shook it and grinned. “Sakura Haruno.”

“Nice to meet you. Now, I believe it's one of those times when you tell your client a little about yourself.” The male's eyes smiled as the folds of his mask curved upward into a grin.

“You go first,” I mumbled as I took another sip.

“What, are you shy?”

“No,” I sniped with a scowl.

“Fine, since you insist,” He said as he put a hand through his silvery locks whilst he turned to face me, but he didn't say anything.

“Well?” I asked.

“`Well' what?”

“Aren't you going to say something about yourself?”

He shrugged. “There's nothing to say.”

I rolled my eyes and looked on in the crowd, seeing people flirt and mingle, laugh and smile, you name it. And while I was staring at them, I saw me, with a horde of my previous friends from my teen years.

I was so happy, seeing all of my friends with me and dancing without a single care in the world. But then, I slowly start to see the lights dim and it's focused on the group. One by one, each person fades away until it's only Me, Naruto, and Ino. My heart felt like it was being squeezed to death by a pair of freezing hands and it ached like nothing I had felt before.

“Yo? Pinky?”

I caught my breath once I heard the voice bring me back to Earth, seeing Kakashi look at me with his navy eye open while the other was closed, for some strange reason.

“I-I just had a moment,” I stutter as I grab my drink to fill the awkward void.

“Something wrong?” The man asked in a curious tone.

“No, I thought I just…saw something.”

“It's probably because you're drinking too fast.”

I chuckle and set the glass down. “You're probably right. I'm just stressed. I'm sorry to say this, but I don't think I-”

All of the sudden, we heard a gun go off and our heads turn to the back of the club, where a man with a pistol in the air with smoke still steaming from the hole was still hissing. People screamed in fright and a few ran away, but then the man fired another shot.

“Settle down, you pile of worthless shits!” The man yelled, but his face was covered up by a smiling mask that was covered all over with shades of bloody red. He looked around the room until he came to us and pointed the gun.

“Kaaakaaashhiii!”

“Time to go, pinky!” The grey-haired man said, jumping out of the seat and grabbing my wrist as we ran out of the door and through streets and alleys and I swear, I have never ran so fast in my life nor have I been so scared. My legs were only slowing me down and I stopped for a breather, but he looked back with both eyes wide open.

“What are you doing?!” He yelled with both eyes wide open.

“I don't have your kinda stamina. I'm taking a break,” I said, slouching against the brick wall.

“You idiot!” Kakashi yelled as he swung me over his shoulder and ran, but I refused to be manhandled (very ironic, considering my profession, no?).

“What are you doing?! Let me go?!” I yelled as I kicked and punched his back, but he only secured his arm around my waist as he kept on running.

“Be quiet!”

“Why should I?! I've just been kidnapped!”

“Those people are gonna kill us if you don't shut up!”

That did the trick, because I felt a thousand pangs of fear puncture my heart like needles in a cushion. And it wasn't long until I started hearing gunshots, which made me shake with fear. I held onto him a bit tighter, afraid that I might fall off due to how fast he was running. His face turned towards me and my eyes met with his azure one, but his expression was mixed.

“Now, now, you really don't think those goons can catch up to me, do you?”

I said nothing. I didn't know what to say. All I did was hold on to his muddy leather jacket while he carried me the entire way. It wasn't until he backed into an alley that he let me down so I could finally take a calm breath.

“Hey, I know this place,” I mumbled as I walked into the street to check sure it was the one I was thinking of, but then a hand pulled me back by the collar and I was staring straight at the masked male.

“I really hope you were just joking about that. In case the gunshot back in the bar didn't make it clear, let me put it in simpler terms,” The silver maned man said as he lowered his eye down at me. “They are baaad people. They have weapons. Bang bang. And if you keep on making the moves that you do, you'll die by the dumpsters.”

It wasn't what he said that scared me. It was how he looked at me. Like a father when they scold their daughter, but it almost seemed animalistic the way that cobalt eye glared at me with such emotion. And I started to feel even more scared because I didn't have a damned clue who this kook was.

“Mmkay?” Kakashi asked with a giant grin.

“`Mmkay' my ass,” I grumbled.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Just…just tell me what I should do! I don't want to be a target!”

“First--breathe. You won't be able to focus if you don't. Come on, deep breathe in,” The man said, as he motioned along as if I was some kind of idiot. After I exhaled, I noticed that he had started to climb up the stairs.

“Hey! Get down here! I'm not done talking to you!” I yelled.

“If you're smart, you'll follow me.”

“Tch, he's such a pain in the ass,” I complained under my breath as I climbed the set of iron stairs and I saw his hand poke out of the window next to me, which nearly gave me a heart attack.

“I'd really appreciate it if you made your decision anytime soon because with you being as obvious as you are, they'll shoot and I'd sure hate to pay for a new window and to wash out the blood on my carpet.”

And that made me climb into the window while I ran into the nearest couch and grabbed a pillow for comfort, not believing what was happening. I looked around and saw that wherever I was, it wasn't half bad. Pieces of furniture and various colors that went nicely with each other and gave the room that `chic' element and made me feel a bit calm. There was a small kitchen to the side with a tall counter that separated it from the dining area, which only had a small rectangular table that was close to the ground with cushions around all four sides.

“Well, welcome to my humble abode. Just do me a favor and take off your heels will you?”

“Stingy,” I hissed as I took off my shoes and put them by the door and took a seat on the giant windowsill while the man watched me from afar, making me nervous by the second. I tried to ignore him, but with each passing second, it only bothered me more and more and before I knew it, I had to say something.

“Can you please stop staring? It's making me a bit uncomfortable.”

“If you can't stand me looking at you now, then what makes you think you can handle it when you do your job?”

“Wha…? That's why you let me in?”

“Of course. I wouldn't just take a stranger home just because they were being targeted along with me. That's ridiculous. Where did you get such an idea?”

“Right,” I said as I stared out the window and looked up at the full moon. The view was so close to it, I felt like I could just reach out and grab it with my hands.

“A-hem. Lost and confused? Yoo-hoo, over here, kiddo,” He waved his hand.

I turn my head, seeing that he was waiting impatiently with his hips cocked to the side while his eyes are still locked on me.

“Can I help you?” I ask nonchalantly.

“Well, it'd be better if I wasn't talking to you at such a faraway distance, wouldn't you agree?”

I shrugged as I got up and sat on the cushion near him and waited for him to speak.

“Go on,” I yawned.

“We'll need to go over some `ground rules' since you'll be staying here.”

“Wh-Wh-WHAT?!” I sputter, hoping that I heard wrong.

“You heard me. You have no choice but to stay with me. Not until those thugs stop chasing you, and I don't think that'll end for a while.”

“But you dragged me into this mess!”

“Ah, you see my dear, that's where you're wrong. You choose to talk to me down at Jiraiya's. Nobody said you had to respond, nor did anybody said you had to be a prostitute. It was all your choice.”

“I'd feel a lot better if you didn't refer to me as that,” I said in barely a whisper. “But, but what am I supposed to do?! It's not like I can go beat them up or anything. And why are they after you? Wait, why are they after me? Are you making this whole thing up?”

“Pft, you think I'd put my own life in jeopardy just for the sheer thrill of it? Sorry, but no thank you. And you can let me say what I have to say and stop interrupting,” Kakashi said as he flicked my forehead. “Now, for both of our sakes, I'll have you stay here in my home until they ignore us and completely forget about us. Once they're gone, you can go back to your life as a-”

“A-hem.”

“Seducer.”

“But why do I have to stay here?” I said as I stood up and eyed the man.

“Because you are the definition of trouble itself. You can't even see a trap that's right in front of you. Think about it logically. If they kidnap you, I'd have to play the leading man and save you because I couldn't bear the guilt. But, I would probably be dead by the time you realize it's time to run away.”

“I'm not that stupid,” I growled as I walked closer to him, but my foot got caught in something and I lost my balance, but I felt two rough hands grab me by the waist and pull me towards a warm chest that slowly heaved up and down as the male breathed and my hand landed on his torso, feeling the slow and steady heartbeat. His hands were warm to the touch and heated up my skin in seconds; Grip gentle, yet protective, but surprisingly, I was at ease. I looked up and stared at his mismatched eyes, which had an unreadable expression in them.

“Yare yare,” He sighed as he looked down at me for a moment with a blank expression. I didn't back down and I gave him a look that was just as empty, but it wasn't until he smiled and ruffled my hair that I gave up.

“See what I mean? You're a danger to yourself.”

“No, I'm not. I'm just not used to flat ground after being in heels for so long,” I grumbled, but he pulled me back.

“You're off in a hurry. You want to get it over with? Okay, then,” He said as he started unzipping his jeans.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I yelled as I pulled the zipper back up. “Down, boy!”

“It seems I have your finally have your full and undivided attention. Now, I'll continue. Sleeping arrangements,” He said, walking past the open hallway and jerked his thumb to the living room. “That's where you'll sleep.”

I looked around the space and saw the same style of interior decorating as I did in the dining room. To the left, there was a couple of couches arranged in a `L' formation with a foot or two of space between and in the middle was a plain old coffee table that had an incense stand, but no incense. Behind the couches were two doors on opposite ends and in the middle was a flat screen TV that hung on the wall. Straight ahead of me, there was only three giant windows with equally giant windowsills that connected as if it was one big giant white bench. And to the right side of the room, there was a huge ebony desk in one corner while a table and a couple of hanging frames filled the empty space on the walls between the two doors that were side by side at the other corner of the room. I had to admit, this was a pretty fancy room, but I was a bit confused about said sleeping arrangements.

“How many bedrooms are there?”

“One.”

I froze for a second, forgetting that I was a seducer for a second while fear overtook me for a second.

“Where will you sleep?”

“I sleep in my bedroom, but I'll invite you when the need arises,” He winked.

“So…I'm not sleeping with you?”

“Not tonight. You,” He said, pointing to the yellow sofas, “Will sleep there.”

“But…why do I have to sleep on the couch?” I whined,

“Because you have no authority over me. My house, my rules.”

“But I'm a guest!”

The man stifled his laughter with his hand over his masked mouth.

“No. You're a stranger whose life I'm saving.”

I gave up. I lost all my energy from trying to think straight that I didn't bother to argue.

“Okay, whatever. I'll sleep on the couch,” I grumbled as I made my way into the living room and plopped down on the cushion while I rolled to my side and closed my eyes as I tried to fall asleep, even though all of the lights were on and I felt his eerie eyes on me.

“You idiot, you can't sleep like that.”

I sat up and gave him a glare that was as icy as the Artic wind.

“And why the hell not?”

“I'm not letting someone who smells like a Irish pub sleep on my couch. Go take a bath and I'll have pulled out the bed from the sofa so you can sleep.”

“But I don't have any clothes.”

“See, now what would you do if you found some other random fella tonight? I'm sure they wouldn't give you all of the luxuries I'm offering.”

“Look,” I murmured as I rubbed my eyes and got his attention. “You're damn right about that part, I'll give ya that, but the real question is why? Why are you-”

“Because you're a guest. Now, shuddup and go.”

And so I sluggishly made my way to it and as I turned on the faucet, I carefully stripped myself free of all garments and folded them up nicely and hid the money within the pile, just in case. Once I took off the bundle of necklaces that I wore, the only thing that was left was my hair, and for some inexplicable reason, I was extremely careful with it, as if it was a glass vase. I took off the giant hair clip that held most of my hair up and one by one, I removed the barrettes Naruto had put in the hide the stray lower hairs and all that was left was the black and red ribbon I had cherished so much. My fingers quickly pulled on the string and I saw it as it fell on top of the other clothes.

I then turned my head to the oval bath, seeing that the water was nearly at the tub's edge and I turned the faucet while I slowly dip my toe in to test the water and slid myself in and released a content sigh as I soaked in the bath. Bubbles were filled all the way up to my shoulder and I felt giddy just being in such a lavish place. I went underwater for a moment to wet my hair and when I came up, I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in!” I holler, pulling a group of bubbles to my chest.

The man came in with only a pair of boxers on and a mask (still) over his mouth as he dropped some clothes on the counter and then took a seat on the toilet as he eyed me down.

“Enjoying yourself?”

“Quite. I gotta admit, you have a nice place.”

“Well, thank you. Oh, I think I sat on something,” He mumbled, getting up and looking at the pile of smushed clothes.

“Glad to know you respect my stuff,” I grumbled as I sunk a bit deeper into the water, but then I got splashed in the face by the man's foot.

“Quit your whining. Are you this much of a brat to your other clients?”

“I only like a brat because you treat me like one.”

“Now, where did you get the idea that I treated you as such?”

“Let's see, when you tried to buy me over with that drink, kidnap me, telling me to put my shoes away, need I go on?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Alright, you win this round, Sakura. Anyways,” The silver-haired man said as he turned his body to face me, giving me a direct view of his toned creamy abdomen, and I felt my cheeks heat up, so I grab the shampoo and wash my hair as a distraction to stop ogling at his body. “Just how old are you?”

“Guess.”

“27?”

“Nope.”

“23?”

“You're getting warmer.”

“20?”

I nodded.

“Then how come you can drink?”

“How come you sent me a drink in the first place?” I sparred back.

“Because you appeared much older than that.”

I growled as I sprayed water on him as he held up his hands in protest, but they slowly went down and I saw that his face was solemn for once.

“20, eh?”

“Mhmm, but my 21st is coming up,” I grinned with glee, but he didn't share the same enthusiasm I had.

“That's quite foolish to throw your life out in the streets at such a young age, no?”

My eyes slowly looked the opposite way while my lips formed a thin line, since I knew if I was going to reply to that, a whole flood of emotions would escape from my mouth.

“Why do you do it?”

“God, you sound just like Naruto,” I chuckled in disbelief as I let the water drain and grabbed a nearby towel and slyly wrap it around me as I got up so he wouldn't see anything.

“Who?”

“My best friend,” I said in barely a whisper as I got out of the tub. “He doesn't really approve me doing what I do, but he knows what I've been through and that, tch, why am I telling you this? I don't even know you. Uhm, do you mind?” I ask as I pull the pile of clothes to my chest while I waited for him to get out.

“Uh, sure, sure,” He said as he exited the bathroom and closed the door, letting me change in private. After drying my hair and my body, I noticed that the clothing he gave me was nothing more than a giant tee and a pair of boxers, but I didn't complain. At least I had clean underwear.

Once I got out, I notice that Kakashi had sprawled out all over my bed and by the looks of it, he had fallen asleep. I stifled a giggle at the stupid position his body was in and then, my mind started to wander. Curiosity got the best of me once I saw the mask on him and I couldn't help but wonder what could possibly be under it.

I put my clothes on the couch nearby and slowly tip-toed over and carefully got on the couch and slowly swing my leg over him, but I flinched when the bed creaked once I got on. I held my breath for a second, worried that he would wake up, but he only moved slightly in his sleep and murmured something, and I quietly let out a sigh of relief as I closed my eyes. But then, I felt something around my waist and my eyes opened and I saw that the man's arms were hanging around my hips and I covered my mouth with my hands in shock, but he still continued to remain unconscious.

After a moment of staying frozen in that position, I decided it was safe to move again. I slowly moved my hands towards the mask, but all of the sudden, I was pulled down and I landed on his chest, and I was too scared to breathe. The distance between my lips and his masked mouth were only of a few mere centimeters, and I had an urge stronger than ever to just yank it off so I could see what he really looked like underneath, but I restrained myself. I could feel Kakashi's warm breath touch the pores of the skin on my face, and I felt butterflies inside my stomach when he tightened his grip around my waist and I was so grateful that he didn't wake up right then and there.

Thank you, I thought as I looked up.

This time, I waited a bit longer until moving, but truth was, I kinda didn't want to move. My stomach started to flutter whenever his chest would rise up and down to inhale his deep breaths and to be honest, he looked kind of handsome up close. But then, the sight of his silver locks enticed me to run my hands through it, just to see if it felt as silky as it looked.

I moved my arms and they slowly climbed his torso my elbows rested on his shoulders as my hands slowly touch the sides of his face and my fingers slowly lose themselves in the maze of grey, and just as I imagined, the texture was like nothing I had felt before. It was feathery, yet, downy and I stared at the sleeping man, who looked as peaceful as ever, making my lips involuntarily curved up into a slight smile.

But then, I felt something rough and hard squeeze my ass, and I bit down on my lip as I slowly turned around and saw that it was his hands, and I tried not to let out a peep, but it got worse because that wasn't the only one to come. I bit on my tongue so the pain would distract me from the pleasure, but it only worked until my tongue went numb and soon, I tasted blood. But that didn't help that fact that this man was kneading my buns and that I was extremely turned on, but I needed to distract myself and I focused on the mystery of the mask.

My hands went down the sides of his face and they stopped at the edge of the mask, while my thumb rubbed across his cheek, feeling the skin that was as smooth as porcelain. I let out a sigh, which accidentally turned into a moan because that bastard just had to pick that time to grab my arse, but I shrugged it off and hooked my fingers at the edge of the ebony mask and right as I was about to pull it down, a wrist grabbed mine and stopped me, and I saw both mismatched eyes fly open and stare at me and my gaping mouth.

I felt my face flush 10 shades of red, and I was too embarrassed to say anything.

“I'm afraid not, Sakura,” Kakashi said as the folds of his cover curved upwards into a small grin while his other hand went up my butt one last time and stopped right at the edge while I inhale a sharp breath, making myself look like a complete moron.

“Now you make me feel like the seducer,” He chuckled, but I hung my head in shame, while my pink hair hid my humiliation from his mismatched eyes.

“Hey,”

I didn't look up. I was too ashamed, but I had no idea why. I had done things far more stupid, but this…this just made me sick...of myself.

Then, I felt a finger lift up my chin and it brought me eye-to-eye with the man, but I avoided his gaze.

“Sakura, look at me.”

I only moved my eyes and quickly glanced at him while I stared back down, afraid of how mad he would be, now that he caught me trying to see what's under his mask.

His hands then cup my face, and he leaned closer towards me so that our faces were within breathing distance again. Red and blue eyes analyze me with careful and quick precision and then returned back to mine. He moved a few stray hairs out of my face and tucked them behind my ear while it made its way along my jawline until it stopped at my chin, and its thumb stroked the edge of my bottom lip, which made the hairs on my skin stand up in pleasure. Kakashi continues to stare at me and I place a hand on his cheek with the tips of my fingers curving behind his ear while he wraps his arms around my waist and I could feel them slowly making their way downward as he leaned in to close the gap between our mouths, but instead of locking lips, he sat up and stared at me with a sleepy look in his eye.

“Well, I better get some shuteye,” The silver-haired man yawned as he stretched his arms and then scratched the back of his head while he got up and then went to his room.

I grumbled to myself about what the hell had just happened as I got on the pull-out mattress and grabbed a pillow and blanket while I laid in the same place Kakashi was just a few minutes ago. I could still smell his scent and strangely, I kind of liked it. It smelled rain and incense, with just a tiny hint of holly. Then it hit me. I grabbed the shirt I was wearing and pulled it close and sniffed the exact same scent on my sleeve, which made me grin with glee.

“Are….you getting high off of me?”

I screamed and pulled the blanket to me while my mouth was quivering with shock.

“Easy now,” He sniggered as he came closer and took a seat next to me on the bed.

“I thought you were going to sleep, Kakashi,” I mutter with a raised eyebrow.

“I was, but then I remembered something.”

“What?”

“We never finished negotiating our deal.”

“Ah, yeah, I forgot.”

“So, how much?”

I looked at him, half-awake.

“How much for what?”

“For your services. After testing you, I decided that I want you for the job.”

“What do you mean you tested me?”

“Surely you didn't think my hands were grabbing your ass all on their own, now do you?”

“Wha..? You were awake?”

“Of course. How else could I have known whether or not you would have taken advantage of poor, helpless me in a situation like that?”

 

Because you are the definition of danger itself. You can't even see a trap that's right in front of you. Think about it logically.

 

“Tch, I fell for another trap,” I chuckled to myself.

“Now, now, you're not the only one to wonder about my mask. Many have tried, but none have succeeded. You were close though…but that's only because I let you.”

“You…let me do that?” I inquired, trying to put on a calm façade, but it failed miserably.

“I would've `woken up' earlier, but I was too busy enjoying myself,” Kakashi smirked. “I guess you could've said I was too lost in the gratification.”

“That good?” I ask as the corners of my mouth curl in a devious smile.

“It wasn't just my pleasure that made me stay. After all, I did hear that little moan that slipped out,” He snickered, seeing me curse under my breath. “But you have magic hands, you know?”

I flashed a wide smile. “So I've been told. But, why'd you think I'd `take advantage'?”

“I don't trust anyone. Especially seducers. So, I have to be careful. But this isn't your last test. Not at all. I still don't trust you.”

“Well, what would it take for you to trust me?”

“Why do you want my trust in the first place?” Kakashi asked.

I really didn't know myself. If I had known this man was as sharp as a knife, I probably wouldn't have talked to him so I wouldn't make a fool of myself.

“I think…it's because I don't want to be defined. Like, people see me and they think of a money-greedy whore who does her client's sexual biddings as long as she gets what they promised her,” I shook my head. “I don't know what I want. Sure, money and sex are great and all, but when that's gone…I have nothing, except for my one and only friend, Naruto. I suppose I'd want to actually to trust someone and be as I actually am instead of who I pretend to be just to get an extra tip. But, regardless of what I want, there's nothing I can do,” I said as I stood up. “I'm just another someone who's `throwing their life out in the street', right?” I shrugged as I walked off, but I felt a hand grab me at the end of the shirt and stop me in my tracks.

I didn't say nor do anything except for stare down at the ground and wait for what the man had to say.

“Sakura.”

I turn back and looked at him while he still had a grip on the clothing, and saw that cobalt eye stare back at me with an expression that I couldn't quite read.

“If what you said is true, then I'll give you a chance until you give me a reason not to.”

“But…how would I know?”

“You'll know,” He said as he got up and then pulled me towards his chest with his toned arms wrapped around my lovehandles, closing all space between our bodies and I feel his hands slowly and almost unnoticeably go down my butt and they stop right at the centre.

“Trust me.”

“If I didn't, I would let you touch me like this, now would I?”

“So, you trust all of your clients then?”

“Until they give me a reason not to, which usually occurs right after the deed is done.”

“Well, we'll wait that out a little bit, since you want my trust, right?”

“Blackmail, eh? Sure, doesn't really matter to me. I'm not the client.”

“Are you sure about that?” He asks with a squeeze, but I bit the tissue of my tongue and held it in, making him laugh in response.

“It's no use. You can't hide it from me.”

“I can try,” I smirked as I broke away from him. “I gotta hit the hay,” Were my words as I was climbing the bed, but I felt arms curl around my stomach and a naked body pressed against my back with a head full of silver hair rest on my shoulder with its warm breath tickling the rim of my ear.

“Goodnight, Sakura.”

And then he let go and walked back to his bedroom, boxers and all, turning off the lights as he did and left me in the dark, as curious as ever.

 

 

 

 

“Goodnight, Kakashi.”