Heart-Shaped Box

The air was still and silent as Sakura walked down the wall of the brothel. It was as if the air could hold its breath and was waiting for trouble to come and claim her. Truthfully, she fully expected trouble the second she slipped out of her room, but she had been fortunate that such wasn't the case.

Sakura bit her lip as she finally reached the ground and tried to figure out which room was the Madam's office. She knew for certain it was on the ground level, and she also knew that it was sure to be guarded now that she had gotten caught once trying to sneak in. Still, no one would expect someone who had broken in and gotten caught once to come back so swiftly. It was an action that reeked of stupidity—or sheer brilliance if she didn't get caught.

Sakura furrowed her brow and concentrated on the setup of the house and attempted to navigate her way to the Madam's office. It wasn't as hard as she expected it to be and soon found herself standing outside what she assumed to be the Madam's window. She was just about to climb up and try to pry open the window when she was suddenly grabbed from behind.

Sakura was about to scream when she felt a hand cover her mouth. A surge of fear rushed through her causing her to bite the hand of the person who captured her. She expected them to pull away in rage or in pain giving her the opportunity to make her escape, but such was not the case. If anything he held her tighter leaving Sakura no room to struggle free.

Lips near her ear whispered, “It's only me.”

Sakura sagged in Kakashi's arms in relief. Once he was certain that she wasn't about to make any unwanted sounds he removed his hands from her mouth .

“Why are you here?” Sakura asked. Her confused face was upturned in an attempt to gaze at him. He wasn't certain what she saw on his face but he saw the moonlight dancing in her eyes. He was tempted to kiss her but wasn't certain that would go over well. He was also tempted to tell her the truth. That he didn't think she could get the needed information on her own but he didn't think that would go over well. Instead, he asked, “Did you get the intel?”

Sakura looked away from him and he knew things had already taken a turn for the worst. It was probably a good thing that he arrived when he had or else things could have gotten out of hand.

“I was about to...um try that now.” Sakura muttered. Kakashi reached out and turned her head to face him.

“Did anything happen?” He saw in her eyes that she was tempted to lie, but she decided not to. In those brief seconds he could say he had honestly never been more proud of her. “I sent in a clone earlier and got caught.”

“She knows you're a ninja?”

Sakura shook her head. “I sent the clone in disguise. She only knows that someone is trying to get information on her. She doesn't know who. I also left a clone in my room just in case she decided to check on me.”

Kakashi frowned. “Is there anyone guarding the office from the inside?”

“Probably. I didn't check, though.”

“Have you looked inside the window?” Sakura shook her head. “Look now. Tell me what you see. I'll be your look out.”

Sakura nodded her head and climbed upward and peered into the window. It was dark inside and she could barely make out anything. “I can't see anything.”

Kakashi frowned and motioned for Sakura to come down. She climbed down slowly probably sensing what he was about to say. “I have a bad feeling about this. Get back to your room.”

“But I can slip in easily and--”

“No, Sakura. Now is not the time.”

“But--”

“This is not up for debate. Go back to your room and wait for me.”

She didn't move immediately. Instead, she stared up at him defiantly. “If I were Sasuke or even Naruto you would have let me go in.”

Kakashi blinked stunned. While that was probably true, he didn't know what that had to do with the here and now. He had a bad feeling and he didn't want Sakura in a situation that she couldn't handle.

“Sakura, that has nothing to do with anything.”

“I'm right, aren't I?”

“Sakura, I told you now is not the time. Go back to your room.”

“Like a good little girl?” Something in her tone was sharp and mocking laced with bitterness.

“Sakura--”

“I can do this. Trust me. For once just trust me.” The thing was he couldn't. His instincts were going crazy telling him not to let her in that office and there was no way in hell he was going to allow her to jump into harm's way.

He wouldn't have either until she did the unexpected. Sakura grabbed his shirt balling it between her fingers and with a sharp tug pulled him down to her level. There wasn't even a moment's hesitation as she pressed her lips against his. A groan escaped his lips as she slipped her tongue between his lips tasting him. It was a bold move on her part, and nothing at all like what he would expect from her. Especially not when she moved her body closer pressing herself flush against his body and hooking one of her legs around his. Kakashi's arms developed a mind of their own and took her into his arms.

The mission slipped his mind as did the danger they were potentially in. The only thing that was important at that moment was her. His hands slid down her body hungrily, but she broke away from him, gave him a wicked smile that didn't belong on her face but look sexy there, and moved towards the window and slipped inside.

Kakashi cursed silently before following after her.