Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sub Rosa ❯ Chapter 3

A/N: I may have forgotten last chapter, but--I do not own Naruto. Kishimoto does. I make no money from this. And reviews are lovely. They make me very happy.

CHAPTER 3

Sakura woke to a pounding at the front door. She blinked groggily, hearing the shower going upstairs, then staring fuzzily at the door again. The knock sounded again, and Sakura dragged herself up, wiping a trail of drool away from her mouth. She noticed it was bright out, sunny, and nearing noon. She had slept much later than expected.

She hesitated a moment before opening the door. Perhaps Kakashi wouldn't want her to? He was in the shower, so she couldn't ask, but what if it was Kurenai? Making a decision, Sakura cracked the door open and peeked out.

"Sakura?"

Sakura gasped and through the door open.

"Naruto? What are you doing here?"

A grin split his face as he reached out and took her in a bear hug. Sakura squeaked and pushed him away to protect her damaged arm. His grin dimmed as he held her at arm's length and looked at her.

"What happened to you?"

Sakura tried to look sheepish, but instead ended up looking awkward. "I got into a bit of trouble, but I'm alright now."

Naruto stepped in, shutting the door behind.

"It's been so long, Sakura. I don't even.... Where were you."

Sakura felt frozen. The joy that had poured into her seconds before seemed to crystallize and leave her feeling cold and empty.

"We moved, Naruto. I don't really want to talk about it."

Naruto frowned, his bright blue eyes dim and worried. "But no contact? Nothing? You just disappeared. Last we heard, your mom had...."

"I said I don't want to talk about it," she ground out, fist clenching.

Naruto remained silent, teeth grinding. She could tell he wavering between listening to her, and just shaking the information out of her. She could understand, but still....

Naruto nodded tightly, and Sakura sighed with relief. He would let it go, for now, at least. She studied him. It had been a few years since she had seen him. He had grown and filled out. His hair was longer, more unruly than before, but his essence was still the same. Sakura was glad that his face was still open and friendly.

"Alright," Naruto sighed, "can you at least tell me what you're doing with here?"

Sakura shrugged, "Sure, but let me get some breakfast first."

"You just woke up, didn't you?"

"Yeah, so?"

Naruto shrugged, but she saw him glancing up the stairs to where Kakashi was showering. She hoped he wasn't making any uncomfortable conclusions. She would have to set him straight.

Sakura rummaged through the fridge, grabbing some eggs and a few slices of bread. (Kakashi had stuck it in the fridge hoping it would last longer. Sakura disagreed, but every time she took it out it would inevitably end up back in the fridge.) Naruto leaned against the counter, watching her, as though if he took his eyes off her she might disappear.

Sakura smiled at him, and began frying her eggs after cracking them, messily, one handed. After a few minutes of tense silence Sakura sighed.

"I was attacked," she muttered.

Naruto remained silent for a moment. "By who?" he asked calmly. Sakura glanced sharply at him. His eyes were narrow and glittering dangerously.

'Who is this? Where is the boy I used to know?' she thought.

"Just some girls." she replied. "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"And how does Kakashi come into this?"

Sakura shrugged, sliding her eggs onto a plate, along with a few pieces of slightly blackened toast. "He found me."

Sakura walked past him and sat at the table. Naruto came and sat down next to her. She offered him food from her plate, and he took some, munching slowly. Sakura was grateful for the silence before a question occurred to her.

"How do you know Kakashi?" she asked suspiciously.

Naruto grinned, and Sakura rolled her eyes. "Chew first, Naruto."

Naruto did so. "I work with him."

"You do?" asked Sakura, shocked.

"Yup."

"What do you do?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes as Naruto avoided looking at her.

"Naruto...."

"I'm sorry, Sakura," Naruto mumbled, "but I can't tell you."

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

Kakashi's shower was long and relaxing. He let the boiling water soothe his muscles, trying not to noticed the new additions to the small stall. Sakura had snatched one of his disposable razors, presumably for shaving her legs and such. The bar of soap was also worn down quite a bit, and pink hair tangled itself in the drain.

It didn't help him stop from thinking about her. Especially her in the shower. Her naked. Her rubbing herself....

Kakashi groaned as his member twitched and stiffened. He should not getting aroused over some random girl staying in his house for a few days. She would be leaving soon and that was that. He would be thankful to have his privacy back.

He wouldn't have to deal with her hair shedding everywhere, or the extra dog eared pages in his books, or the way she smiled brightly at him when he served her breakfast in the morning.

Kakashi groaned again, his cock completely stiff. He reached down, grasping it and tugging. His other hand reached out and supported himself as he leaned against the wall. His breathing quickened as his hand rubbed, back and forth. He thought about what her skin would feel like beneath his hands, a nipple in his mouth, her voice crying out his name....

He gasped as he came, thankful for the shower as it washed away his mess. He felt his stomach clench in shame. She was so much younger than him.

He finished washing himself up then stepped out of the shower. He paused after drying himself off, head tilted. He heard voices floating up from downstairs.

Quickly he dressed, forgetting to towel dry his hair and silently slipped down the stairs. The voices grew louder, and he relaxed as he recognized them. Naruto and Sakura.

Kakashi walked into the dining room. The first one who noticed him was Sakura. She grinned at him. "Good morning, Kakashi!"

Naruto followed suit. "Wow, you're up late!"

Kakashi smiled blandly. "Ah, my favorite housemate and favorite coworker. What a pleasant surprise," he said mildly.

He grabbed a glass of water, then went to join them at the table. He was surprised at how friendly they were being. Of course, Naruto could charm anyone, and Sakura seemed like a fairly sociable girl. He shouldn't be surprised.

He glanced at the single, empty plate between them and raised an eyebrow. Not that they could really tell with seventy-five percent of his face covered, but he couldn't help himself.

"To what do I owe this visit, Naruto?"

Naruto grinned, eyes twinkling. "Hinata wanted to ask you over for dinner. She said you were too skinny."

Kakashi hummed, glancing over at Sakura. She seemed entranced with his hair. Odd.

Naruto turned to look at Sakura. "You would be invited too, Sakura! Hinata would be so happy to meet you. I told her all about you!"

Sakura grinned, "Of course. I'd love to meet her. Anyone who puts up with you must be a goddess."

Kakashi frowned, bemused. "You two know each other?" he asked, confused.

Slowly Naruto's grin dimmed a little bit, and Sakura's eyes flattened, as though hooded.

"Ah, yes," mumbled Sakura, "we used to know each other when we were kids. We fell out of touch."

Naruto was frowning now. Kakashi could sense some tension between them.

"Is that so?" he stated softly.

Sakura nodded jerkily. Naruto's jaw clenched.

"We used to go to the same dojo," Naruto finally said, seeming to calm himself, though not quite regaining his exuberance.

"You used to fight?" Kakashi asked Sakura, surprised.

"Well, yes, a little bit." She shrugged. "I wasn't very good."

Naruto snorted.

Kakashi and Sakura turned to look at him.

Naruto looked at Kakashi. "She was terrifying, Kakashi. I never want to fight her again."

Sakura's cheeks flushed slightly. "Shut up, Naruto. You're exaggerating."

"No, I'm serious. All the boys were scared of you, Sakura! You were so strong-"

Naruto was cut off as Sakura reached out to smack the back of his head. "Ow!"

Kakashi stilled, shocked, for about a second before he laughed. Sakura looked at him, appalled, while Naruto pouted at Sakura. "What was that for?"

Sakura glared at him. "For your big mouth, that's what!"

Kakashi decided to interfere before Naruto dug himself an even deeper hole.

"Now children, children. No need to fight," he soothed.

Sakura scowled at him. "I'm not a kid."

"Well, you're about... what? Eighteen? Nineteen?"

Sakura's scowl deepened. "I'm twenty two."

Kakashi paused, trying to cover his shock. Did she look twenty two? Perhaps he was getting old. Of course, he was only thirty-six, but that was only four years away from forty.

"Oh." said Kakashi eloquently.

Sakura shot him another look, which Kakashi responded with by smiling blithely back. She huffed and turned back to Naruto.

"So, dinner at your place? When?"

Naruto blinked a few times. "Tomorrow maybe? I don't have a job tomorrow and I'm pretty sure Kakashi doesn't...."

Naruto glanced at Kakashi confirmation and Kakashi shook his head.

"So it would be perfect!" Naruto finished.

"Well," Sakura deliberated, "it's up to Kakashi." Then she turned to look at him with big, hopeful, puppy eyes. Kakashi tried not to look at her, but he could still see her out of the corner of his eye. He sighed.

"I guess so," he mumbled.

Sakura grinned and turned to celebrate with Naruto. Kakashi groaned internally. Dinner at Naruto's....

Damn.

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

At about a quarter to six Sakura sat impatiently on the sofa, waiting for Kakashi to come down to take them to Naruto's . They were supposed to be there at six, and they still had to pick up something to bring as a thank you.

Sakura frowned, jiggling her leg and staring at the clock.

Ten till six.

She had dressed herself up in a plain brown skirt and lavender button up blouse. She had asked Kakashi if he had picked them out, but he had just shrugged and grumbled something before escaping to his room. She assumed he didn't buy women's clothes often.

Sakura huffed impatiently.

The previous day had been eventful. Naruto had stayed to visit, though she kept having to fend off his probing questions. He was angry at her blatant refusal to share with him what she had doing the last few years, but that was something she really couldn't share....

Later in the afternoon both Naruto and Kakashi left separately. Naruto had gone home, hugging her tight before he left. About a half an hour later Kakashi had left with just a "be back soon" and a friendly wave.

She avoided thinking about how he looked with his hair wet at the table. She didn't want to admit to herself that the man was growing on her, just a bit.

'Like a fungus....'

The mystery of him stopped her though. He was hiding something. They were all hiding something.

Five till six.

Sakura growled, then got up and stalked up the stairs. Kakashi had to be ready. She had told him an hour ago that they would have to leave soon. She knocked on his door.

Silence. Sakura tapped her feet then knocked again. Her irritation was ebbing, replaced by awkwardness. She paused, contemplating peeking into his room when the door opened.

Kakashi towered over her, shirtless, hair mussed and eyes muddled. He wasn't wearing his eye patch.

Sakura gaped.

Her gaze first traveled up his muscled abdomen. His skin was smooth, marred only by a few slashing scars. She studied his chest, his nipples tight from the cool breeze, then up his neck, which was covered by his mask. Then his eyes.

He was looking at her. She flushed, thinking about how she had just blatantly checked him out, but she was too enraptured by his right eye.

It was a bright red....

"Do you need something, Sakura?"

Sakura snapped out of her haze, humiliation coloring her cheeks.

"Umm. It's almost six. We're going to be late."

"Okay."

"Okay."

Sakura nodded, then walked off stiffly.

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

Kakashi was ready to leave by six fifteen. Sakura barely noticed him enter the room as she stewed in her own embarrassed turmoil. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

Sakura flushed. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

Kakashi nodded awkwardly, grabbing two jackets. He helped put hers on before donning his own.

They stopped in front of the store and only Sakura ran in to grab a bottle of wine. She scowled, knowing next to nothing about wine, before picking out the prettiest bottle she could find that was within limit of the twenty Kakashi had given her.

The rest of the ride over was silent, and Sakura started to make resolutions to never knock on Kakashi's door again when they finally reached an apartment complex. Kakashi helped her out of the car and carried the wine. Sakura tried not to show her discomfort at his courtesy.

'Almost like a date....' whispered Inner Sakura.

Sakura frowned.

They knocked on the door at about five minutes to seven. Naruto grinned when he saw them.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, "dinner just finished cooking."

Sakura looked at him confused, "It wasn't already done?"

Naruto laughed. "Sakura, we always start later when Kakashi is invited."

Kakashi paused and smiled at Naruto. "I was late because a certain female needed to get ready."

Sakura gasped in outrage and shock at him. Naruto tried to stifle a grin, but failed.

"Kakashi! You are a liar!" hissed Sakura.

Kakashi shrugged serenely. "Something smells good. Aren't you hot, Sakura?"

Sakura shot him a glare as he moved to help her take her coat off, then hung it next to his on the coat rack. She calmed when a woman appeared from down the hallway. She had pale eyes, and even paler skin, contrasting with raven black hair. She was wiping her hands on a dish towel.

Naruto smiled at her proudly. "This," he presented, "is Hinata. Hinata, this is Sakura."

Sakura greeted the woman warmly, before they all went to enjoy dinner.

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

Sakura was a chatterbox on the way home. Kakashi listened to her, trying to punctuate her words with well times grunts and nods. She had been excited all through dinner, and had gotten along well with Hinata, despite Hinata's near crippling timidity. How she had asked Naruto out was beyond him, but it seemed to work out well.

"Hinata's really sweet, isn't she?" asked Sakura, turned to smile at him.

Kakashi nodded absently, pretending to concentrate on driving. Sakura twisted to stare out her window again. He was glad she was back to being her normal, social self. He should have paid more attention earlier to what he had been wearing. She had been rendered speechless when he had opened his door as he had.

He felt something twist in his gut. She had seen his eye.... It's not like it was a secret, but it was something he was not proud of. And while she had not seemed horrified, she had seemed.... Well, he wasn't sure.

They pulled into the driveway, Sakura walking behind him up to the front door. His lips quirked as she puffed into her hands and kept rubbing them.

"Cold?" he remarked.

Sakura nodded. "Very. Hurry up!"

Kakashi chuckled and let her in before him, shutting the door gently behind him. It wasn't too late, and he still wasn't feeling particularly tired. Neither was Sakura, by the looks of it.

"Would you like a drink?" he asked politely.

Sakura tilted her head for a moment, thinking. "Sure. I could use a drink."

Kakashi nodded, waved a hand at the couch for her to settler herself, then went to find what he had in his cabinets. He found a dusty bottle of vodka and even dustier bottle of wine. He chose the wine.

He brought the bottle out, along with two plastic cups filled about halfway.

"Fancy," laughed Sakura when she saw his balancing act.

Kakashi smiled. "I don't have wine very often. Or guests, for that matter."

"I hadn't realized," she commented dryly.

He settled down on the opposite side of the couch as, both relaxing into silence as they sipped they're wine. He couldn't help notice how often Sakura scrunched her nose after every drink.

He was about to pull out his book when she interrupted the silence.

"So, Kakashi, what do you do?"

Kakashi lowered a blank glance in her direction. "Do?"

Sakura rolled his eyes. "You know, as a job?"

"Ah," he muttered softly, "temp work."

Sakura's eyebrows shot up. "Temp work," she stated flatly.

"Yes," nodded Kakashi sagely, "temp work."

"Then how come Kurenai and Naruto refused to tell me about it?"

Kakashi shrugged. "Embarrassment most likely."

"Okay..." she trailed off, disbelief obvious in her voice.

Kakashi mused on why Naruto and Kurenai wouldn't just lie about their jobs. Of course she would be suspicious when no one would tell her. If they had just made something up.... Kurenai especially he was curious about. She was not one to take chances when it came to their work. So why? Kakashi frowned into his cup.

His gaze shifted to Sakura as she propped her feet up on the coffee table. Her skirt had ridden up, revealing pale skin and shapely calves. Kakashi snapped his gaze away, back to her face as she surveyed him through lidded eyes. He glanced at the wine bottle. She had already refilled her cup once. He wondered if she was tipsy. There was certainly a flush to her cheeks.

"Why do you wear a mask, Kakashi?" she whispered.

"Ah," Kakashi said, shifting slightly, "I believe you have already asked that before."

Sakura quirked an eyebrow. "Because it's comfortable, right?"

Kakashi nodded. He was feeling twitchy. "Right."

Sakura shifted a little closer. She had undone the top buttons on her blouse, and he couldn't help but stare at the minute amount of flesh revealed: collar bones, the top slope of a breast. Sakura set her cup down, then turned back to him.

"Can I take it off?" she asked.

"What?" Kakashi stuttered.

"Your mask. Can I take it off?"

Kakashi set his cup down as well, trying to give himself to time to respond.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Sakura. Aren't you tired? Perhaps I should head to bed." Kakashi babbled.

"I'm not tired. Please?" she pleaded.

Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping. He gave up.

"Have at it."

Sakura grinned at him, then scooted forward, almost on his lap as she gazed wondrously at his mask. He remained frozen, head tilted to stare strait at her.

She lifted her good hand up, agonizingly slow, and hooked a finger beneath his mask, next to his scar. His skin tingled where she touched him. Reverently, she began pulling down his mask. Down the bridge of his nose, over his lips, below his chin. Then his mask lay loose around his neck while she stared at him, eyes searching and taking in and drinking his features.

She reached a hand up, fingers smoothing over the corners of his mouth, as though trying to erase the frown he had. She smiled shyly at him.

"I like your face," she whispered.

Kakashi swallowed and allowed the merest hint of a nod. Her fingers remained cupping his cheek, jaw line, then lowered to his neck as she straitened and leaned forward. He could hear his blood pounding in his hears, a rush, too fast for time, too slow to him to think. Her lips were dry and warm against his cheek, slowly kissing the bottom of his scar. She moved her mouth to the corner of his lips, a whisper of a kiss, then pulled back to stare up at him. She was only a hairsbreadth away.

He leaned forward and kissed her. His hands, which had been resting limply in his lap, reached forward to settle on her waist. She tasted bitter, the wine they had been drinking still prominent on her lips. She opened her mouth and he swept his tongue in, tasting her, feeling her. She sighed and lifted her good arm to curl around his neck as she pressed against him.

A warmth was spreading through his belly, and he could feel his manhood twitch with anticipation. He wanted this. He craved the feel of her lips against his, her tongue against his. His skin prickled and burst with flame where she touched him, where her breasts pressed against his chest and a thigh rested awkwardly across his lap.

He turned and pressed her against the back of the couch, letting his hands roam, his fingers slipping beneath her shirt and up her belly and ribs. She gasped and whimpered as he rubbed a nipple through the thin material of her sports bra.

He left her mouth to press wet kisses across her cheek and down her neck. She tilted her head, allowing access while breathing in short, shallow pants. Little mews came from her throat as groped her, breathing her in and paying homage to the soft skin beneath her jaw, marking it with blossoming love bites.

She stopped him once his fingers began to dip below the waistband of her skirt.

"Stop, Kakashi... stop," she breathed, pulling away. His hands lingered for a few seconds before he withdrew completely. He tried not to look at her swollen lips or flushed cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, "I shouldn't have done that."

Kakashi shrugged. "It takes two."

Sakura seemed to flinch slightly at his cool voice, lips thinning. "I want to," she murmured, "but I can't. I'm sorry."

"I understand," Kakashi said flatly.

Sakura eyed him. "I don't think you do."

Kakashi stood up and strode to the stairway, then turned to smile blankly at Sakura. "We're tired. It's late. I think it's time for bed." His mask remained loose around his neck.

Sakura stared at him, some kind of indecision warring on her features before she slumped over. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed.

He nodded, and turn to flip the lights out.

"Good night, Sakura." he whispered, attempting to keep his voice even.

"Good night, Kakashi."

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

He was gone when she woke up the next morning. Her head ached and her eyes were raw from crying herself to sleep. Never had she wanted anything more than continuing what was started last night, and never had she regretted actually beginning it as much she did either.

After he had disappeared up the stairs, she had whimpered, dropping her head to lean against the arm of the sofa. She still felt his hands and fingers on her, and it made her feel agonizingly empty. She wanted to follow him up the staircase, pound on his door, then jump him when he opened it.

But she couldn't. She would have to leave soon. She couldn't keep the connections she had. As much as she loved finding Naruto again, and as much as Kakashi made her feel warm inside, it wasn't an option to stay. She had already stayed in one spot too long. They would be looking for her, and she couldn't lead Them to innocent people.

Sakura felt her eyes well up and prickle as she tried to hold in the tears. She would not allow herself to be weak. She had to be strong and decisive. She had allowed herself a time of weakness and she was afraid it would cost her.

Sakura padded up to the bathroom to do her morning absolutions before going back down to the kitchen to rummage for some breakfast. The food was looking depleted again.

Something caught her eye. A yellow post-it note sat by the phone with a messy scrawl over it. Sakura glanced around then went over to study it.

18.00 W

X-road Balt. &30th

Sakura narrowed her eyes. It was a time and place, she was sure. Somewhere in the city. She frowned. Maybe it was just Kakashi meeting up with a friend. It probably wasn't anything, but.... She quickly copied the note onto another scrap of paper and stuck it into her pocket.

'Just in case....'

With that she went to make herself some breakfast and agonize over Kakashi.