Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sub Rosa ❯ Chapter 2

A/N: I do not own Naruto. I don't make money off this. Please enjoy.

Kurenai was not gentle when it came to first aid. Sakura found this out the hard way.

When Kakashi had first opened the door Sakura was surprised to find a small women outside. She had wild hair, and flashing ruby eyes, and she made Sakura feel like the dirty urchin of the street that she was. She smiled gently though, a smile that reached her eyes (unlike Kakashi's bland grins) and Sakura was set at ease.

Kurenai introduced herself with first name only, and Sakura's eyes were drawn to the woman's protruding belly. She was pregnant. Curiosity gnawed at her. Was this perhaps Kakashi's lover? Did Kakashi have a lover?

'Not that it matters. He's a stranger....'

Kurenai went to sit down next to her on the couch while Kakashi left the room after standing around awkwardly. Kurenai watched him leave the room with a knowing smile on her lips, then turned to Sakura.

"I'm glad you're awake," she said kindly.

Sakura smiled shyly, feeling awkward in the woman's beauty. "Yes, thank you for everything."

"It was nothing. My names Kurenai, and you are...?"

"Sakura."

"Ah," she murmured, glancing at Sakura's hair, "fitting name."

Sakura blushed. "My parents thought it was funny," she muttered.

Kurenai nodded then turned an appraising eye over her bruises. Sakura let her move her body around as she saw fit, and even lift her shirt up, though Sakura was hesitant, and so embarrassed even her chest flushed red.

Kurenai laughed and patted her hand. "Don't worry, dear. We won't have to do that too often. You're only bruised. No broken ribs, luckily."

Sakura nodded quickly. "Is everything else okay...?"

"Yes, you're wrist is strained, but not broken as far as I can tell. Perhaps cracked. We would be able to tell more with X-rays...." She trailed off as Sakura began to shake her head.

"I'd prefer to avoid hospitals if at all possible."

Kurenai stared at her searchingly for a few minutes. "Yes, well. That's why I'm here." she said staunchly.

She continued to explain to Sakura her injuries, telling her that it was mostly bruising, and for the most part she would just have to take it easy for a few days. Sakura nodded her understanding to each statement, trying to not glance down at the woman's belly, then her ring finger. She had a wedding ring on.

Kurenai finally said something after about the fifteenth time Sakura attempted to subtly stare at her stomach.

"I'm six months along." she said, smiling knowingly.

"Oh!" exclaimed Sakura, "I didn't--sorry.... um, that's nice."

Kurenai laughed and Sakura looked worried. How embarrassing.

Sakura changed the subject quickly, attempting to recover any sense of dignity left. "So, are you a nurse?"

Kurenai shrugged. "No, I'm just well versed in first aid. My husband tends to need it often."

Sakura tried to hid her relief, then tried to squash it. There was no reason to feel relieved that she was married. Sakura chastised her immaturity.

"Oh? What does your husband do?"

"Probably best you ask Kakashi that. They're co-workers after all."

"Oh, okay...."

Kurenai patted her hand again, then stood up with a groan, stretching. "Let me go find Kakashi. I'm sure you're hungry."

Sakura glanced down at her stomach as it grumbled, flushing a little. "Yeah, a bit."

Kurenai laughed again, the sound floating through the air like silver bells. Sakura laughed a little herself.

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Kakashi was about halfway through chapter five when he was interrupted. He heard them moving around and decided Kurenai was probably done with the girl's check up. Dog-earing the page, he stretched, popping his back with a groan.

He had been laying on his bed and reading for a few hours. It was relaxing, but he was starting to get antsy. Stretching his arms as well, Kakashi left his bedroom and padded down the hallway to the stairs. Passing the bathroom, he noticed a towel hanging primly over the shower bar, as well as the bag and string. He supposed she would need again, so he left it and continued down the stairs.

The women had relocated to the dining room, both turning to stare at him when he entered the room.

Kurenai just grinned at his bemused look. "Do you have anything to eat, Kakashi?"

"You're eating here too?"

Kurenai frowned, "Don't be stingy. I'm pregnant."

Kakashi held up his hands in surrender and strode the kitchen. The women began talking as he shuffled through the cupboards. He would need to make a trip to the store. He wasn't used to stocking food for more than himself, so what he had was pathetic. He ended up making more bacon and putting it on slightly stale bread with some other condiments.

Kurenai's eyebrows shot up as he slid the sandwich in front of her. Sakura wrinkled her nose but took a bite.

"Kakashi..." Kurenai grumbled, "I think you need to go shopping."

"Hey," he said defensively, "I wasn't expecting company."

Kurenai took a bite of the sandwich, frowned, then began to pick it apart, starting with the bacon. Kakashi turned to study Sakura. She had nearly finished her share.

"Hungry?" he asked.

Sakura flushed and shot him a look. "Just a bit."

Kakashi looked away. The girl didn't take teasing well, did she?

Kurenai finished picking at her food and sat back, patting a napkin to her mouth. Kakashi waited patiently, hunched over, for her to speak.

"Well, Sakura is okay. She just needs a few days to rest."

Kakashi nodded. "Good news, then."

"Yes. Do you have a spare bedroom?"

Kakashi tilted his head to the side. "Yes."

"Well, it's probably better for her to bunk down there instead of the couch."

"I don't have a bed in there."

Kurenai gave him a look suggesting disappointment at his housekeeping. Sakura interjected before anything else could be said though.

"I really don't mind the couch. It's comfortable."

Kurenai pursed her lips but accepted without much argument, continuing on to more important matters.

"Alright, well. She will also need some clothes. Shoes. Toiletries..."

Sakura looked horrified and Kakashi sent her an amused glance.

Before Kurenai could continue Sakura interrupted again, "I really don't think I'll need that. You have already done so much for me," she said, glancing at them both, "I don't think I'll be staying here that long..."

"Nonsense," said Kurenai decisively, "it doesn't look as though you have another place to go right now. And I'm sure Kakashi wouldn't mind the company. He needs to learn some social skills."

"Hey..." Kakashi interjected defensively, only to be steamed over by a determined Kurenai.

"You can stay with him until we get you situated elsewhere."

Sakura hunched over, twisting her hands. "I don't know what to say...."

Kurenai smiled gently, "Just say you'll accept. It's our good deed for the year. Goodness knows Kakashi needs to catch up on positive karma anyway."

Sakura tried to stifle a laugh as Kakashi sulked slightly. He looked absolutely put out. Of course, it was hard to tell with the mask and all, but the crossed arms had a serious pout written all over them.

Kakashi sighed, then stood. "Kurenai, can I speak to you?"

Kurenai lifted an eyebrow, then stood up as well. "We'll be right back, dear," she said to Sakura, then exited the room.

Once they were out of the dining room Kakashi turned to her.

"I can't have her here."

Kurenai scowled. "Why not?"

"I have to work. I can't have her here."

The woman put a hand on her hip, and Kakashi just knew he was going to lose this fight.

"You listen to me," she hissed, waving a finger beneath his chest, "you will take care of that girl and you will like it."

Kakashi stepped back, face blank. "Fine," he finally muttered, "but only a few days."

"As long as it takes, Kakashi. You can't be a hermit forever. If you wouldn't fight me tooth and nail, I would just say to keep her here permanently, but I know that would be too much."

Kakashi remained silent for a few seconds. "And what about my work? She can't find out, and I can't have her getting in the way."


"For god's sake!" exploded Kurenai, "It's not that hard! I'm sure you can hide it from one girl! You're the best of the best, after all."

Kakashi didn't respond, discontented with the uselessness of his arguments. Kurenai smoothed her hair uselessly, took a deep breath, then smile, though it was strained.

"This will be good for you, Kakashi. You'll see."

He shrugged, staring off in the distance.

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Sakura was washing dishes when they entered the room again. She smiled at them and said nothing, instead pretending to focus on scrubbing the dishes with one hand. So far it was proving difficult.

Catching her struggle, Kakashi strode over to help.

"Scoot," he said, nudging her out of the way. Sakura obliged, instead heading over to chat with Kurenai.

She had listened to them speak. She shouldn't have, she knew, but she was curious.

She regretted it. Kakashi obviously did not want her in his home. It placed Sakura in a delicate situation. As soon as she could, she would have to get out. She had already infringed on the man enough, anymore and she would owe him more than she could ever repay. It didn't help that she couldn't even do the dishes right.

'So much for being able to help with cleaning...' she thought.

Sakura glanced back at Kakashi, who has finished washing the dishes and began to dry them off, then turned to look at Kurenai. The woman smiled, then silently motioned for her to follow her to the front door. There she turned to say good bye.

"Take care of yourself. I'll see you in a few days."

Sakura nodded, smile brittle.

Kurenai's eyes softened. "Don't worry about Kakashi, alright? He's just used to being alone. He'll get used to you soon enough."

This did not comfort Sakura near as much as it was intended, but she smiled anyway.

After Kurenai left, Sakura loitered around the living room awkwardly, unsure of what to do with herself. It was getting dark outside. She studied the area around them from the window. The yard in the front was large, trees scattered and protecting the privacy of the front of the house. A decrepit fence circle the yard. It was once white, but now it was gray and peeling. There was a driveway as well, where a sleek, black car sat. Down the street other houses littered the road in varying states of repair.

'Definitely not in the city anymore...' Inner Sakura mused.

Sakura couldn't agree more. How was she going to go out of there?

She started as a voice behind her spoke.

"You can watch T.V, or read if you wish...."

Kakashi was leaning against the dining room doorway, arms crossed as he watched her.

"Thank you," she replied.

"I'll get you some blankets and pillows. Sorry I don't have a bed for you."

Sakura smiled. "The couch is more than enough."

Kakashi straitened and smiled stiffly, scratching the back of his head.

"Why do you wear a mask?"

He looked startled, then relaxed at her question. Sakura hoped she wasn't crossing any boundaries by asking.

Kakashi shrugged, "It's comfortable, I guess."

Sakura frowned slightly at his dissatisfactory answer, but didn't pursue it. It wasn't really her business.

"Well," he said. "I'll bring you down some blankets and pillows."

She nodded, and that was that.

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A few days passed and Kakashi started to feel comfortable with the presence of a girl in his house. He started by avoiding the rooms she was in, trying to pretend she didn't exist. He wasn't used to sharing his space, and found he wasn't particularly fond of it at first. A few times he even forgot she existed, startling when he entered a room to find her in it.

In her favor, she rarely ever went to the upper portion of the house, unless she had to use the bathroom. And during those instances she tried to be as quiet as possible. He could still hear her, of course-his heightened senses couldn't be helped- but at least she tried.

A few times he walked into the living room to find her staring guiltily at a wall. Curious, he stayed to talk once, until she escaped to the bathroom. When he inspected the couch after her hasty departure, he found one of his Icha Icha books stuffed under a cushion. This amused him greatly, and he determined that next time he caught her he would probe her about it. She would get angry at him, he was sure, but it would be damn funny.

The day after Kurenai had left, Kakashi went shopping for some girl clothes. He ended up failing miserably.

In hindsight, he should have brought the girl along. His excuse was that she was still sleeping when he left. In reality, he was afraid she would drag him around and buy everything in sight. He felt he was being extremely generous by even allowing her to wear his own clothes.

Of course, if Kurenai returned to see Sakura wearing the same clothes she had a few days earlier, she would rip Kakashi a new one.

So Kakashi went shopping.

He found himself standing awkwardly outside the woman's section, staring at the selection of clothes fearfully. He was out of his league. Glancing around, he snuck in, staring at the skirts and halter tops and yards of floral, shimmery print.

He jumped as a feminine voice appeared behind him.

"Can I help you, sir?"

Kakashi turned stiffly to regard a short, plump woman with a friendly, open smile. Her dark hair was streaked with gray.

"Umm." he responded intelligently.

"Are you looking for a gift?" she asked, studying his mask curiously.

He nodded vigorously.

"Age?"

Age? How old was Sakura? Kakashi frowned.

"Nineteen." He responded, since he had absolutely no clue.

The saleswoman accepted it though, asking more questions about size and style. Kakashi was clueless. He guessed Sakura to be about medium, though a head shorter than him. Style? He had no clue. Something not revealing, he decided. He wasn't sure he could handle a sexy girl lounging around his house. It was hard enough having a regular girl lounging around his house.

The woman ended up picking out a few skirts and blouses, plain but sensible. Kakashi accepted them all, only to put half of them back when the saleswoman walked away to help someone else. He kept the long skirts.

The hardest part was selecting the underwear. He couldn't have Sakura wearing skirts with no underwear in his house. It would drive him crazy, he was positive. He just hadn't expected the need to browse racy panties to find something acceptable.

He forced himself not to imagine Sakura wearing the clear, lacey boy shorts with the heart on the front. Or the nearly nonexistent thong....

Kakashi groaned and ended up picking out a package of plain panties and sports bras. He nearly sprinted out of the store with his bags when the cashier had given him a pointed look after scanning the woman's clothes. Kakashi hoped the woman thought the sweat pants were for him. Not that it mattered.

When he had got home, Sakura had been awake and channel surfing on the television. She had looked up at him and smiled and his chest constricted slightly. He had frowned, but handed the bags over to her graciously.

Sakura's widened with disbelief as she pulled out the skirts. Then her face had lit up.

"Thank you, Kakashi!" she insisted, giving him a hug. Kakashi remained statuesque, arms limp at his side. Sakura hadn't paid any attention though, already racing up the stairs to try on her new acquisitions.

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Sakura woke to something. She wasn't sure what. She kept her breathing deep and even, eyes shut. Her body was tense though, alert. She swore she had heard something....

There it was again. A small scrape, the rustle of fabric, a muttered curse.

Sakura nearly sat up when she realized it was Kakashi. What was he doing? The house was still pitch black. She discreetly glanced at the glowing clock sitting on the book shelf.

'Three AM...? What is he doing...?'

She waited, listening as he rustled about a bit more, then he left. The door locked with a soft click behind him, and a few minutes later the head lights of a car shone through the windows as it drove off. Sakura remained frozen, then threw her blanket off.

She stared blankly at the window to the front for a few minutes, then shivered. The house felt hollow suddenly, and Sakura couldn't help but feel a little paranoid. She wasn't used to being in a house by herself. She got up to flip the lights on and close the blinds. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't help a small coil of fear unwrap itself in her belly.

She turned on the lights in the dining room and kitchen as well, then went upstairs. The door on the right, the bathroom, Sakura shut. Down the hall there were another two doors, both on the left and right side. She entered the one on the left first.

She felt a little guilty, sneaking around Kakashi's house, but she also felt the necessity of it. She couldn't really trust anyone. As long as he didn't find out she could justify herself.

The room she entered was his bedroom. A queen sized bed was in the center, the sheets rumpled. Sakura padded over, fingers running a light trail across the sheets. It was still warm where he had been sleeping. She wondered if he slept with his mask off.

Across from that was an old dresser. She opened the drawers one at a time, finding each one filled with crumpled shirts and pants. She blushed and quickly shut the underwear drawer without rifling through it. At least she knew now. Kakashi was a boxer man.

Finding nothing in his drawers, she went to the closet.

At first, she thought it was filled with only clothes as well. On second glance though, she saw some objects wrapped in rags and shirts propped against the back wall. They were barely noticeable under the shadows cast by the jackets.

Glancing behind her, Sakura reached out and grabbed one.

It was a sword.

It reflected back in the light, strong and silver and sharp Sakura winced as she cut her thumb slightly from running it along the blade's edge. The handle was simple. The sheathe as well. Quickly, Sakura wrapped it again and propped it against the wall. She sat back on her knees and feet, staring blankly at the other objects. Looking at them closely, she could see a gun shape, a dagger, and a few other shapes she couldn't even begin to imagine.

It begged the question. 'What the hell does Kakashi do?'

Sakura had been curious the past few days, but this brought in a whole new angle she hadn't expected. Kakashi hadn't left, except to buy her clothes and get some groceries. Sakura had mused over what he might do, but figured he might have a few days off.

She wondered about him being in the alley and meeting a man there, but hadn't thought much of it. Now the incident was shed in a whole new light. Slowly, Sakura shut the closet door and made her way out of the room, double checking nothing was out of place before flicking the light off and shutting the door.

She leaned against the wall, staring blankly.

What if...?

Sakura's fists clenched.

What if Kakashi was not as good as he seemed? She had been taken in by his and Kurenai's caring gestures, but that didn't mean much. For all she new, he could be one of the people looking for her....

But no. That didn't make sense. If he was one of the people looking for her, then something would have happened already. It had been a few days and so far no one else had come to the house, and Kakashi hadn't offered to take her anywhere.

'Maybe he's just a weapons enthusiast?'

Sakura snorted. Doubtful.

She turned thoughtfully and walked down the hallway to glance into the other room, the spare room. Her mind worked as she paused to open the door. She couldn't confirm anything though. She just didn't have enough evidence.

Sakura tried to open the door, only to find it locked. She looked at it, seemingly offended, then jiggled the handle again. It resisted.

Frowning, Sakura trudged back down to the living room. The clock blinked the time at her pointedly.

'Four AM...I should be asleep....'

Leaving the lights on, Sakura went to snuggle beneath her blankets on the couch, trying to warm up. She shoved her suspicions to the back of her mind. She would deal with them when it mattered. At the moment, all she could think about was getting her rest.

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Kakashi scowled as he drove. The sun was bright in the sky, though the shadows were deep underneath his eyes. Jiraiya had been particularly elusive that morning. Kakashi had waited in the alley for about twenty minutes before the man had shown up looking not the least bit apologetic.

Jiraiya had just shrugged when he caught Kakashi's flat stare and had muttered, "You've kept me waiting enough times."

It was true, but still.

After being briefed on the target and the circumstances, Kakashi had set off, hoping to find the man and get it over with quickly. If he was lucky, he could get home before the sun rose and Sakura would be none the wiser.

Of course, that was not mean to be.

Kakashi grimaced and knuckles white around the steering wheel.

The target had somehow gotten a whiff of something suspicious, and had barricaded himself in a hotel room, surrounded by body guards. Not only did Kakashi have to find the man, but he had to go in through the window, which happened to be on the ninth floor. He was going to be sore for days from hoisting himself up the damned balconies.

Finding the man had been a relief. Barely. After taking down the guards, the man had begged and pleaded, offering money, women, anything.

Kakashi had been too close when he cut the man's head off and had gotten blood across his face and shirt. Luckily his clothes were dark and hid the color easily, even if he still smelled of it. Unluckily, his hair was white, which showed blood quite obviously.


It took Kakashi close to thirty minutes of wetting his hair with facet water before he looked normal enough. At that point, it was well past sunrise.

He forced himself to take deep breaths and relax as he pulled into his driveway. Hopefully Sakura wouldn't noticed anything different about his appearance. Glancing up, he noticed all the blinds were pulled in the windows.

Kakashi frowned. He hadn't done that....

Grabbing his pack, he quickly got out of his car and strode to the front door. Unlocking it quickly, he swung it open.

On the couch, Sakura was fast asleep.

Eyeing the room, Kakashi noticed two things: that the blinds were all closed, and the lights were all on.

Silently, so as not to wake Sakura, Kakashi went and turned the lights off while opening the blinds.

It must have been her who did. He was positive no one else had been in the house. No one who would have done that, at least. But why? Was she afraid of the dark? She hadn't seem to have had problems before.

Not when he was there, at least.

Finishing, Kakashi sleuthed over to the couch, staring down at the girl dozing fitfully. She snuffled slightly, sighing. He reached down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Then snatched his hand back as though it had been burned.

Sakura remained asleep, but Kakashi felt slightly panicked. What had he been doing? He stared at his hand incredulously, as though it had betrayed him. Glancing back down at the girl, he about-faced and went to take a shower before she saw (or smelled) him. No reason to look a gift horse in the mouth.