Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sub Rosa ❯ Chapter 1

A/N: This was supposed to be a one-shot and ended up being MUCH longer than expected. It's not completely finished yet, but getting there. Also, I don't have a beta, so forgive me for an grievous mistakes. Oh! And I don't own Naruto. There.

She dragged herself down the alley, breathing labored. She tried not to think about her injuries, or who might be following her, or even where she could possibly go. All she knew was that she has to hide and get her bearings back. Pain was clouding her mind and she needed some time to rest and clear her head. She tried to avoid the more unsavory parts of the alley, but could only do so much. She was filthy.

Sakura groaned slightly, then stifled it, glancing behind her. Empty. The alley was empty. Before her there was a large, rusted trash bin. Stumbling, she collapsed behind it, curling in on herself. Her fingers were numb on her left hand, and pain blossomed in her chest every time she took a breath. Her face felt puffy, and her right eye was blurry from where the other girl's fist had smashed into it.

Sakura tried to slow her breathing and still her shivering. It was cold and wet out, the worst possible time for this to happen to her.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit...." she whispered to herself, trying to focus on anything but the pain.

She should have been paying attention. She knew she was in a foreign area, but she hadn't realized the gangs were so possessive of their turf. Of course they would want to teach her a lesson for hanging out in their area. If only there had been just a few of them, she could have taken care of herself, but instead there had been a whole group. They had taunted her, fingering their bats and knives menacingly.

"Slut doesn't know her place...."

"Stupid bitch, I said stay down!"

"You were in the wrong area, Pinky."

Sakura grit her teeth. There was no possible way she'd be able to get to her tent, if it was even still there. She had been gone all day. There was a distinct possibility that her belongings had already been ransacked.

Sakura shivered, clutching her jacket closer with her right hand, trying to get as much warmth as possible. Dots appeared before her eyes and Sakura felt despair slowly engulf her. She was in so much trouble, and this time she wasn't sure she could escape.

Sakura froze as she heard a noise echo from the mouth of the alley. She didn't dare move, fearing more retaliation. She hoped whoever it was would just walk away, finding nothing of importance.

Luck was not with her though, because the footsteps came closer. Sakura shriveled into herself, hoping the shadows would hide her, and cursing her distinct pink hair color. The footsteps paused for a minute, outside of her range of vision, then continued past her. It was a man, a tall man. He strode confidently past and Sakura stifled her sigh of relief.

Her heart thudded in her ears and she feared maybe he would hear the blood beating through her veins viciously. Eyes trained on him though she noticed his hair to be white.

'Old then....' she thought, relaxing slightly.

She let her head rest against the slimy brick wall she was huddled against, forcing herself not to think about how gross it actually was. God, she hurt....

Down the alley, muffled voices sounded. They floated past her ears, though Sakura couldn't tell what they were saying. A few minutes passed and she felt herself nodding off, mind foggy with fatigue and pain. The abrupt silence cleared her mind though, and the footsteps were back. Sakura made herself as small as possible in the shadow of the dumpster as the figure of the man strode closer.

Her eyes widened as he stopped a few feet from her. She looked up to find him staring at her. His face was masked, and a patch covered his right eye, but she could see the bemusement in his features. She looked away, hoping he would lose interest and just go away.

'Go away, go away....'

Instead, he squatted down, hunched over as he peered at her through the thick veil of darkness.

"You okay?" he asked, curiosity and possibly concern lacing his voice.

Sakura didn't answer, drawing into herself.

'Go away, go away. Please go away....'

He moved a little closer, and Sakura flinched as masked hands grabbed her chin and lifted her face up. He stared at her, and she glared back. She would fight him if she had to. She was hurt, but she could still fight him....

He released her, gazing at her thoughtfully.

"It looks like you need a hospital," he stated softly.

"No. I'm fine." Sakura responded, even though she obviously wasn't.

Her vision narrowed slightly and dots appeared again. She blinked angrily, hoping to clear it, but it just made it worse. The last thing her heard was a deep sigh as hands reached out to grab her.

Break break break break break break Break break break break break break


Kakashi had been having a decent enough day. His mission had been completed with little fuss and even less effort. He had then dithered about for a bit at a cafe while he waited to meet his contact and receive payment. After which, he has planned to go home, take a long shower, and read the new Icha Icha book he had acquired.

Of course, the best laid plans always seemed to go to waste when it came to him. He really shouldn't have been surprised.

At half past ten, Kakashi gathered his jacket and leather pack and paced into the cool night. He was relaxed, paying attention to the whorl of his breath in frozen air. Inconspicuously he slid down a seemingly random alleyway.

He heard it when he was about halfway down the alley. Quick, gasping pants. He paused for a moment, eyes sliding over the dumpster to his right before continuing his way down. The person was no threat, he was sure of that.

Jiraiya waited impatiently in the shade of a fire escape. Quickly they haggled. Kakashi forcing Jiraiya to pay up the full price. The old man always tried to jip him out of his payment. Jiraiya patted his shoulder roughly.

"Use that money for something fun this time, kid. You earned it."

Kakashi smiled blithely, planning on doing no such thing. They parted ways, Jiraiya disappearing to who knows where.

'Probably a brothel....'

And Kakashi walking back down the alley. He was thankful for his mask as he came upon the person. The smells were rancid, and he dearly hoped it was just a drugged up hobo who was huddled next to the bin.

One glance told him it wasn't.

The girl was messed up, severely. Kakashi could tell from the way the breath left her lips in shallow bursts, and how one hand fell limply to the side. She stared up at him blankly, and he noticed half her face was bruised, one eyes swollen shut.

"You okay?" he asked, and she blinked at him. He wasn't sure she quite understood him.

He scooted a little closer, careful to avoid touching anything. He gently grabbed her chin and lifted her face up a little more, assessing the damage. Blood had dried on her chin, possibly from a split lip, and filth covered her.

"It looks like you need a hospital." he muttered, releasing her.

She frowned, shaking her head slightly as though to clear her mind.

"No. I'm fine."

Kakashi lifted an eyebrow. The girl's head bobbed slightly, eyes fading slightly.

Kakashi sighed as she passed out. He was really tired of bringing strays home, but it wasn't like he could just leave her there. He wrinkled his nose as he picked her up. The girl really needed a bath.

Kakashi thanked whatever deity was listening that he had driven today, because there was no way he'd be able to get her home on the subway. Reaching his car, he stuffed her in the back seat, grateful for the tinted windows. The whole way home he kept glancing back at the girl.

Odd colored hair, he thought. Probably dyed.

Kakashi wrinkled his nose again at the smell. He would have to wash his car out.

When they reached his house, Kakashi bundled her up in his arms again, frowning down at her face. The lock to the door stuck, and he jiggled it while awkwardly trying to balance his burden without causing even more damage.

When he got inside he left the lights out, navigating the house easily. Quickly, he dumped the girl on the couch and went find his phone. He had some people to call.

Break break break break break break Break break break break break break


Sakura felt fuzzy. Her mouth and eyes felt like they were glued shut. Her limbs felt heavy and weighted, numb, as though they weren't even hers but someone else's attached badly to her body.

She tried to remember what had happened and shifted slightly, only to remember as a stab of pain lanced through her chest. Sakura opened her eyes. Well, one eye. The other one she couldn't quite open yet.

She stared at a ceiling. A white washed ceiling. Cheerful sunlight filtered in though a dusty window. She remained still, calming her heart beat. She was on a couch, in a living room. Ragged furniture surrounded her, cramped into a space that was much too small. A foot from her was a small table, and across from that a green velvet armchair with patches, and a T.V covered in cobwebs. The place smelled like oiled leather and mothballs.

Sakura sat up too quickly then grabbed her head as a rush of spots infiltrated her vision. She remained still, waiting for it to pass before she looked to examine herself. She was bandaged, and wearing a large shirt ('a man's shirt...' she thought) and a pair of loose shorts. Both were black. Her arm was bandaged and in a splint, and she could feel tightly wrapped bandages around her chest and abdomen. She wasn't covered in filth anymore.

She flinched as she heard someone walk behind her.

"Ah! So you're awake already! Now I can clean my couch."

Sakura twisted to look behind her, wincing as her chest groaned from the unwelcome movement.

The man stood there, the one from the alley. His face was masked, right eye covered with a strip of cloth, a bandana perhaps? He wore a pair of loose sweat pants and a form fitting t-shirt which outlined a lithe, muscled abdomen. Sakura frowned at her acknowledgement of his ('sexy? No, NO!) body and focused on his face. He wore an expression of false geniality.

'What an odd hair color...' she thought to herself, then noticing the way it sprung up in random rooster tuffs; 'And really messy too.'

He tilted his head to side, seemingly content to let her examine him.

Finally, after a few seconds paused, she spoke. "Where am I?"

His eyes crinkled as he replied. "You're in my house."

Sakura stared at him flatly, wondering whether he was being purposely dumb.

"Okay..." she continued, "what am I doing in your house?"

He shrugged. "How about we continue this conversation over breakfast? I'm feeling a tad nippy."

Sakura's frown deepened as he walked out of the room through an open doorway behind him. From her vantage she could see a spindly dining table with mismatched chairs. Slowly she pressed her feet to the floor and stood, wavering slightly before straitening completely. The man's head popped back into the room, looking at her.

"You going to need help?"

Sakura shook her head no, but he disappeared before she could even respond. How rude, she thought.

Slowly Sakura padded into the other room, pausing as she passed through the doorway. The dining room she had seen was connected to the kitchen, a counter being the only separation. The man clattered away over the stove, preparing something that Sakura couldn't see, but could smell. Her mouth watered. She hovered awkwardly, not sure where to go.

She was saved by him glancing over his shoulder and motioning towards the table. "Sit."

Sakura gladly complied, watching him over the counter. He looked older, she thought, but not as old as she had first assumed. Thirties probably. He was fit, she couldn't help but notice. His shoulders were broad, his waist slim, his butt....

Sakura shook herself. Now was not the time to succumb to her voyeuristic tendencies.

'But he sure has a nice...' her Inner voice whispered. Sakura quickly shoved the voice down and buried it.

After about ten minutes he walked over and slid a plate in front of her. She sat still, waiting as he plopped down in the chair across from her with his own plate. She stared at him, and he stared back.

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked.

Sakura stared at him flatly. She was beginning to think this man might be an idiot.

"I need a fork." she said.

"Oh! Oops."

He got up, grabbing a fork and filling a cup with water for her, then settled back as she began tear into her meal. She hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day and was starved. It was eggs and bacon. And though the eggs were bland and the bacon overcooked, it still tasted like heaven. Once she reached the point where she could slow down, she glanced up at her dining partner, only to do a double take at his empty plate, then his mask.

"That was fast," she muttered, eyeing him curiously.

He smiled blandly, carefully setting down his fork on his scraped clean plate.

"So," he said, "first off. What is your name?"

Sakura cleared her mouth with a sip of water before answering.

"My name is Sakura. Yours?"

The man hummed, then nodded. "Kakashi."

Sakura nodded. "Well, Kakashi." He blinked as she said his name. "Where am I? What am I doing here?"

"Well, I found you last night in an alley, if you remember."

"Yes...."

"You were hurt."

Sakura let out tense sigh. "How come you didn't take me to a hospital?" she asked suspiciously.

"You asked me not too."

Sakura blinked, surprised. "I did?"

He nodded, slouching back in his chair. He had horrible posture, Sakura couldn't help but noting.

"Oh, well, thank you. I'm not sure I can repay you...."

Kakashi waved his hand. "I don't repayment. I didn't even really do any of the work anyway."

"Umm." Sakura responded.

"You don't think I bathed and changed you myself, did you?" he asked, voice teasing.

Sakura flushed. Of course not... he would have seen her naked if that were true. Sakura turned even more red, cheeks darker than her hair. "No, I suppose not," she grumbled.

He chuckled a little at her facial expression, pausing when her eyes glittered with annoyance. He cleared his throat innocently to continue, pretending not to have noticed her discomfort.

"Anyways, as I was saying," he voiced, "I called someone over to care for you. She should actually be over later today to check you out again."

Sakura felt her chest coil in surprise. "Really," she stuttered, "that's not necessary. I'm sure I've inconvenienced you enough-"

Kakashi interrupted her. "You haven't. Not yet, at least." Sakura frowned at that comment, but he continued on. "Unless you have some place you have to go back to...?"

Sakura stared down at her plate, uninjured hand twisting the cloth of her pant leg. She didn't have a place to go back to. She had a tent situated next to a stream in a park, but she was certain it wouldn't be there anymore. Leaving your stuff too long resulted in a loss of valuables. Not that she had anything valuable, but... she thought of her pictures, the blanket she had had since she was young, her mother's brush....

Sakura mentally shook herself. 'I'll go back and look when I get the chance.'

She glanced up at Kakashi, finally answering his question. "No, I don't," she whispered.

"Well then," He clapped his hands with a smile and she jumped, "why don't you go take a shower or something? You really only got a sponge bath so...."

So she still was gross. Her scalp itched, and she would give anything to shave her legs but.... She glanced down at her splint. He knowingly looked at her as she stared back at him.

"I'll tie a bag around it. Just try to avoid the water," he said.

She nodded and stood up, grabbing her plate.

Break break break break break break Break break break break break break


Kakashi watched her as she carried her plate to the sink, setting it down gently with her good hand. He rummaged through his kitchen drawers until he found a bag big enough to cover her splint. She could probably take it off, but he wasn't sure of the extent of the damage. He was sure Kurenai would tell him when she returned, but until then he would rather not take any chances.

The girl needed a bath though. She may not be covered in slime anymore, but she was still grungy.

Kakashi straitened, beckoning her over as she reached out her arm. He ignored the way she stared up at him as he adjusted the plastic bag around her splint, using some green ribben to tie it tightly around her bicep.

'Her name is Sakura....'

She was young, much too young for him, he thought. She was also just some random girl he had picked up off the street (literally). She was rough, and beaten, and her face was a bruised mess. Her hair was short and unevenly cut, as though it had been shorn off by a knife.

Quickly he patted her shoulder and smiled.

"There you go. The bathroom is up the stairs to the right. There is towels in there."

Sakura nodded, lips quirking for a minute before walking away. Before she left the room she turned around.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."

Kakashi swallowed and nodded, and she padded out. His fingers tingled from where he had brushed against her arm.

Break break break break break break Break break break break break break


Sakura studied herself in the mirror of the cramped bathroom. She looked awful . Her face was puffy, the bruises a rotten rainbow trailing from temple to chin. Her eye was swollen shut and only a glimmer of green peered out. No wonder her eye had been so watery.

Sakura shrugged, turning the water on and counting her blessings. It could have been much worse. The fact that she was walking around and breathing attested to that. She had gotten lucky. Lucky that they hadn't injured her worse, and lucky that Kakashi had found her.

Sakura frowned. She still knew next to nothing about the man. He was fit, he liked to play dumb, and he was friendly in a distracted sort of way. Sakura scowled, trying to not bend over too much as she untied the shorts at her waist, letting them drop to the floor and stepping over them. Her shirt was a bit more of a struggle, having to get it over her damaged arm, but she managed.

'I don't even know what his face looks like...' she mused as she stepped into the hot spray after unwinding the stiff bandages around her chest and ribs.

Quickly she set to work with a bar of soap scrubbing herself pink. She awkwardly washed her hair one handed, scrunching her nose at the manly smell it exuded. She chided herself though. At least she was able to wash her hair. That was better than nothing.

Break break break break break break Break break break break break break


Kakashi set the phone down in the cradle silently, frowning. The gentleness was unnecessary. He could still hear the shower streaming upstairs, but in all honesty that meant nothing. Years of doing as he did hammered a certain sense of distrust in him, a sense that would definitely not be tossed away because of how innocent a girl looked. If Kakashi had learned anything, it was that looks could be deceiving.

He glanced down at the post-it note before him. Chicken scratched on was a time and place.

04.00 Th.

Monroe, N.W.

He would have to leave the girl alone in his home. The thought didn't sit well with him. At least it was early. If he was quick, she would never even notice his absence. She would sleep until late and he would be home by the time she woke up. Of course, he would still have to report in again.... Hearing the shower shut off, Kakashi folded the post-it and shoved it in his pocket. There was no need for her to see the note, and it was still a few days away anyway. If luck was with him, she would be out of his house soon, and none the wiser for who she had been staying with.

Curiosity flared in him as he pondered who the girl actually was. She wasn't just a stray. She was too well kept for that. Homeless kids usually had a feral glint in their eyes, and she wasn't thin enough either. Yet she couldn't have a family. At least not one she wanted anything to do with at least.

Kakashi padded to the living room. The blanket Sakura had used when passed out on the couch lay crumpled on the floor. He quickly folded it and set it down, then made his way to the laundry room where her clothes were.

They were dirty, and Kakashi had the vague notion to just toss them, but figured the girl wouldn't like that. She would probably want her clothes back when she left. He checked her pant pockets first, only finding some change and a five dollar bill. Next he went to the jacket. He found a knife and lint in the hip pockets. In the breast pocket, he found a photograph.

He studied it, gripping it lightly so as to not damage it. It was old. In it a little girl, presumably Sakura because of the pink hair, was being held by a tall man with broad, open features. A small woman stood next to him, a contented smile on her delicate smile on her features as she stared at the little girl.

It was a picture of familial bliss. Hearing the shower stop, Kakashi put the picture away and went to lounge in his armchair, taking out his new book. His eyes roamed over the pages, but his mind was elsewhere.

Sakura obviously did not come from a bad family. That brought up the question though, why wasn't she with them? He couldn't very well just kick her out his door and have her fend for herself. As much as he wanted to, his dammed morals wouldn't allow him. He would have to find someplace for her to stay.

He focused his eyes even further on the pages as he heard her thumping down the stairs. After a few seconds she entered the room, eyes searching until they fell on him. Her hair dripped onto her shoulders, wetting the shirt beneath.

'Good thing it's black...' thought Kakashi.

Her eyes then focused on his book.

"Are you reading...?"

Kakashi knew exactly what she was asking, but pretended to be oblivious.

"Yes," he nodded, "it's a book."

Her brow furrowed as she walked over and sat tenderly on the couch. She had taken the garbage off her splint. Her face looked even worse when she was cleaned up, the bruises glaringly bright against the pink skin. Kakashi shifted his gaze back to the page where Ayame was seducing the hero, Kyo.

Sakura sat uncomfortably, glancing around the room as though looking for something to do, or something to say. She ended up studying his bookshelf, which held the rest of the Icha Icha series on it.

Her eyebrows raised.

"Wow," she said, "you're kind of pervert, huh?"

Kakashi choked and brought his book down to his lap.

"I'm not a pervert," he said mildly, "I just appreciate risqué literature."

Sakura snorted, laughing slightly. "Yes, well. Whatever name you want to put on it."

"You're not very nice to the man who saved you," he pouted, though in a manly way.

Sakura laughed outright at that. "Don't worry. I'm very grateful. I'm sure in a few years the Icha Icha series will become classics." she soothed.

Kakashi ignored her sarcasm to pick his book back up again, only to pause as a knock came to the door. Sakura looked at him expectantly and he grumbled beneath his breath as he forced himself up.