Double Edged

Song Reference: I Can Love You Much Better

Artist: The Hush Sound

Lyrics: And while you kiss everybody but me/I just sit back and watch/Oh, but one day soon I’m gonna grab you by the collar/And kiss you all I want/I can love you much better/If you can’t see it you’re blind/I can love you much better/Oh, y’know someday I’m gonna make you mine


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Asuma waited until they were completely out of ear shot of Kakashi before dropping his arm over Ino's shoulder. The man’s hearing was freakishly good and he didn’t want to risk the wrath of the Copy Nin due to being overheard talking about him. "Alright, spill it. Why were you so keen to get those two alone?" he demanded of his former student.

Ino turned wide, innocent blue eyes up to him and gasped, "Why would you think I was trying to do that?"

Yeah... he didn't buy the innocent act. He hadn’t since that time she'd conned him into carrying her shopping bags back to her parents’ house for her. They had been full of bras, which he hadn’t known until Ino proceeded to show them off to her mother… while Asuma was still holding the bag and trying very hard not to meet the cold glare from her father. Talk about an awkward first meeting. Asuma arched a brow as a mischievous grin crossed over the blonde's face. "Start talking, girl. Are you trying to set them up?"

"Nooo," Ino purred, leaning around him to catch Hinata's gaze. Asuma glanced at the much quieter (and more polite, thank God) girl and noticed she was subtly shaking her head to get Ino to stop speaking. "I'm not trying to set them up."

"Uh-huh. Ino, don't try and play one over on me. I've known you too long for that."

"But, Asuma-sensei, I'm really not trying to get them together!" she insisted.

"Why not? They looked cute as a couple," he pressed, already having suspected something between the two for a while now. It looked like that ‘social visit’ Sakura had paid Kakashi a few days back was a little more than that. And he was serious about his approval of them as a couple, too. The last time he’d actually seen Hatake Kakashi out with a woman was… oh, about a year ago? Something like that. That had been the jounin with a scratching fetish, as he recalled. The one with long, dark hair and a really annoying laugh. She’d only lasted a few weeks, which was fine with everyone who associated with Kakashi in a social sense. Even Gai had declared her annoying, which really said just how bad it was.

While Asuma didn’t know Kakashi as well as Genma did, he did know that the silver haired man was very selective about who shared his company and was incredibly guarded about his private life. In all the years he’d known Kakashi, Asuma could keep the count to both hands for how many women he’d seen the Copy Ninja in public with and one hand for how many he’d actually admitted to being in a relationship with. The relationships usually only lasted a few months, but Asuma had a feeling this time was different. He knew enough about Haruno Sakura from hearing Ino talk to know the pink haired girl wouldn’t settle for anything but the long haul. It almost made him laugh to think this could be the end of Kakashi’s bachelor lifestyle.

Ino giggled, her voice snapping Asuma out of his own musings on the subject. The expression on her face was positively wicked, which made him gulp in automatic reflex. It never boded well when Yamanaka Ino looked evil. "Oh, you think so? Well, in that case, Asuma-sensei-,"

"- Ino... think of Sakura-chan," Hinata interjected nervously.

"I am thinking about Forehead, Hinata! Can't you just imagine how sad she is, being unable to make their relationship known out of fear of what others will think? I mean, it must be so hard for them to live like that."

Asuma twitched a little at her words, even though he knew they were partially being directed at him. Yeah, he could relate to that. He could relate to that a little too well, actually. Sometimes, it really sucked being an elite shinobi. Constant attention, rumors like mad... He hated the fact that only a few people knew he and Kurenai were married. She didn't deserve that. Why she'd ever said yes (and how he'd even worked up the nerve to ask) to him still remained unclear to him. Just the fact that she'd been wiling to keep it quiet and amongst their closest friends still floored him.

And now, if he was right about Ino's hinting, it looked like Kakashi was in the same boat. Kakashi was watched just as closely as he was, perhaps more so since most in Konoha were pegging him for Hokage someday. Not only were the village elders monitoring him as closely as he would allow but so were a good majority of the single kunoichi as well. A man with the potential to be the next Hokage was a very attractive thing to the ladies. Asuma could already imagine the cat fights that would break out when it was discovered Kakashi was dating again. Hopefully, the two of them would make it. Kakashi needed a little happiness in his life, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

Sighing, Asuma gave Ino a one armed squeeze and muttered, "You're a good kid, Ino. But I think it'd be best to just leave them alone for now."

"But, sensei..." Ino grumbled as Asuma turned his head just enough to give her a warning glare, much like he used to when she would get out of line as a kid. Sighing, the blonde hung her head and muttered, "Fine. I get it. You're no fun, sensei."

Chuckling as he released her in favor of pulling out his cigarettes, Asuma replied, "Yeah, yeah. That's what happens when you get old, kiddo."

"Then you've been old since the day I met you."

"Ouch."


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If he had actually planned all this... he couldn't have done a better job than Lady Luck had. He went from being wrangled into going to the bar by Asuma to walking Sakura home after scaring a drunk man away from her and her friends. Oh, he knew very well that her friend Ino was aware of the conditions under which they were dating. Unless Sakura hadn't told her... No, she probably did. Call it a hunch, but he suspected Ino was acting as a sort of 'technical advisor' to Sakura's plans.

Still... He owed the blonde some thanks for her not-so-subtle hints to Asuma. Now, he had Sakura alone and without the distractions that typically came with a date. This was the perfect opportunity to solidify the ground work he'd already laid, not to mention the chance to weed out a little information from her.

That is, if he could get her to lighten up a little. She still looked ready to put someone's head through a wall and he could just imagine whose head it would be, too. A good thing Ino had gone in the opposite direction then, for her own sake. Otherwise, he had no doubt the blonde would find herself face planted into the cement before she could even think of an apology.

“Well, this is rather convenient,” he said cheerfully in an effort to open the conversation on a light note.

“Oh?” she asked, staring at a window displaying the latest in ninja fashion. He never did understand why a ninja had to be fashionable but apparently there was a healthy market for it if there was an entire store devoted to the concept. He caught sight of her reflection in the glass and knew this was going to be harder than he thought. The frown on her face looked pretty permanent. Fortunately for him, there was nothing he loved more than a challenge.

He nodded as he stopped to let her window shop a little, pulling his hand free from hers to retrieve Icha Icha from the pouch at his back. He caught the flicker of her gaze toward the bright orange jacket out of the corner of his gaze. “Asuma just saved me the trouble of having to track you down tomorrow. Do you have a day off any time this week?”

Her jaw clenched tightly at the question but she forced a smile when she noticed he was watching her through the glass. “Sunday, actually,” she answered. "Why?"

“That’s perfect! I’ll be away the following week on business, so if you don’t have any plans yet do you want to do something?” He idly flipped to the next page in the book and pretended he didn’t notice the way her eyes followed the movement. It had to be Icha Icha Paradise she was after. He’d be willing to bet his next mission salary on it.

“Sure... I’m free. What do you have in mind?” It surprised him a little to see that she actually perked up at the idea, a genuine smile just barely making its self known through her eyes. Strange, he would have thought she'd been more upset over the question, especially considering how uneasy she’d been on their last date.

He chuckled and noted the suspicious glare she gave his own reflection at the sound. “Something different,” he teased as he switched his book to the other hand before reaching to take hers. He continued to read as they began to walk again, smirking behind his mask as she continued to stare at his book. “Can you be ready by eleven?”

“Yeah, I can- eleven?!” she exclaimed, turning to face him with an expression of utter disbelief.

He blinked in surprise at her outburst. “Too late in the day?”

“Uh... try too early,” she said sarcastically. “Don’t you sleep in on your days off?”

Kakashi shrugged, which didn’t really answer her question one way or the other. On the rare occasion that he didn't have anything to do... yes, he did sleep in. He wasn't going to tell her that his idea of sleeping in was until two in the afternoon, though. If he was going to sleep in, he was going to do it the right way and skip morning altogether. “So, is that a yes or a no?”

Sighing, Sakura shook her head and answered, “It’s a yes, of course. This ‘something different’ better include breakfast. And really strong tea.”

Laughing quietly, Kakashi murmured back, “I‘ll see what I can do.” Then, just to test her reaction, he used the hand that was clasped around hers to turn the page, allowing her fingertips to graze the barest amount against the paper.

Sakura's shoulders stiffened a little before she could stop herself. Then, her eyes narrowed as she gave him a shrewd look, as if she had a suspicion of what he’d been up to. “You know, it’s awfully insulting to read when you’re walking a girl home,” she commented tightly.

Kakashi blinked innocently at her before following her pointed glare at his book. “Oh… Well, I was interrupted in the middle of the really good part earlier by your admirer. And seeing as you do sort of owe me-,”

“Owe you?!” she snapped hotly, jerking her hand free from his completely to slam her palm into his shoulder. Hard, too. The soothing rub he applied to it wasn’t a show at all. He was certain there’d be a bruise there later. Since when was it fair to hide strength in a deceptively petite frame? “What the hell kind of thing to say is that?” she continued to rant, either unaware or uncaring that she’d bruised him. “You know, you’re proof positive chivalry is dead!”

“Nooo… If that were the case, then I wouldn’t have bothered walking you home at all,” he replied cheerfully. There really had to be something wrong with him if he got a kick out of getting her figurative panties in a twist. Maybe he was getting masochistic in his old age.

Before Sakura could even begin to shout the irate response he could just tell was brewing on the tip of her tongue, Kakashi made a show of marking his place in the book and returning it to the pouch at his back. Spreading his arms out to the side in the classic gesture of being unarmed, he muttered dryly, “There. Is that better?” Really, he didn’t see why she was making a big deal out of him reading and walking. She’d seen him do it often enough not to be surprised by it.

The anger simmering in her green eyes faded slightly as her lips twisted into a small pout. Her arms, which had been crossed over her chest, finally relaxed by her sides again as her shoulders curled forward in resignation. “You just said that to piss me off, didn’t you?” she mumbled with a shake of her head.

Beaming at her, Kakashi lowered his arms and tucked his hands into his pockets with a shrug. “Maybe.”

“You have got to be the most twisted individual I’ve ever met.”

“And yet you were the one to ask me out. Where does that leave you?”

Sighing as she raked her fingers back through her short hair, Sakura muttered, “Needing therapy, apparently.”

Chuckling at her comment, Kakashi reached out and brushed his fingers lightly over the back of her hand, the touch bringing out a spark of warmth in her gaze. She might not have been aware of it herself, but he knew very well what that look meant from a woman. She liked what he was doing. Smiling and completely pleased with her reaction, he motioned with his head in the direction of her apartment. “So, can this unchivalrous, twisted individual finish walking you home now?”

He could see the smile pulling at the corners of her mouth, despite her best efforts to maintain her annoyed frown. Shrugging as if it didn’t really matter one way or the other to her, Sakura replied, “I guess. At least you’ll scare all the other crazies away. Everyone’s afraid of someone further off the rocker than they are.”

“You certainly know how to flatter a guy,” he complained, but it was completely in jest. They continued walking down the street with their fingers entwined, which earned them shocked looks from those that recognized them. The fact that people were openly gaping at them didn't bother him one bit, though judging by the way her eyes darted around uneasily it did her a little. Oh, well. She had to have known what would happen from the start. People were going to see them together and were going to talk. There was only so much either of them could do about the speculations.

“So, how long did it take you to get all that paint out of your hair?” he joked, trying to draw her attention away from the passersby and back to their conversation.

“Long enough for me to decide paintball tag is not as fun as I remembered,” she shot back with a smile. “I ran out of hot water, if you must know.”

“Ah, I see. I’m sure Ino really appreciated that.”

“She deserves a cold shower every day for the rest of her life, as far as I’m concerned,” she snorted, shooting a bitter glare over her shoulder in the direction her friend had left in. She glanced up at him hesitantly before twisting her hand free from his to cautiously slide across his lower back. Kakashi was momentarily surprised she’d taken such an initiative but obligingly settled his arm over her shoulders.

“Ouch. That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” Normally, if this were someone he was pursuing for real this type of public display wouldn’t have flown at all. He could never understand the couples that were all but draped over each other in the streets. It was this aversion to public snuggling that had led to more than his fair share of break ups in the past. But for some reason though… it wasn’t quite so bad with Sakura. Maybe it was because she was much shorter than he was and therefore fit better against her side. Regardless of why, he had to admit that it wasn’t as uncomfortable as it normally would have been.

He felt her thumb start rubbing small circles along the side of his hip, which cause his eyebrow to quirk upward. At first, he thought it was intentional, but a quick glance downward at her told him otherwise. If she'd been at all consciously rubbing his hip, she would have been watching him for a reaction. It was simply a reflexive action on her part, nothing more. Unfortunately, she was being reflexive on an area that was incredibly erotic for him. But there was no way she could have known that in advance. Was there? No… Not without digging up his past lovers and interrogating them for the information. He doubted very much Sakura would have had the gall to do that. So, it was an accident. A very pleasant accident.

Clearing his throat a little, Kakashi asked in hopes of distracting himself from just how pleasant it actually was, “Sakura... we’re not friends, are we?”

Sakura turned back to face him with wide, startled eyes. Her fingers stopped brushing along his hip, which actually left him feeling a little disappointed that he'd even spoken and relieved at the same time. “Huh? Why’d you ask that?”

“Because if that’s how you treat your friends... I’m not sure I want to be one any longer. A cold shower every day for the rest of your life is something not even the ANBU interrogation squad would do.” He grinned at the scowl that came to her face before quickly reaching around with his free hand to block the elbow aiming for his lungs.

“You’re a real jerk, Kakashi-sensei,” she complained, mockingly adding the honorific to his name while squirming to get him to loosen his hold. He obliged her, but only after he returned the favor by brushing his knuckles along the line of her neck. Warmth flared in her eyes again as a slight shudder ran down the length of her spine. He couldn't help smirking triumphantly at her reaction. It served her right for messing with his hot spot.

“And you’re cute when you’re angry, Cherry-chan,” he replied with a healthy dose of cheerfulness to his voice.

Sakura’s eyes narrowed dangerously at the new nickname, which caused him to chuckle outright. Obviously, she wasn't a big fan of it. "If you call me that again, I’m not gonna go out with you on Sunday,” she threatened.

“Aww, but I rather liked that one,” he pouted. He did, too. She looked adorable when she was ready to dish out some pain, even if it was being directed toward him at that moment. And really, what better way to irritate her than to give her a nickname like 'Cherry-chan'?

“I don’t care. Don’t call me that.”

Sighing dramatically, Kakashi gave her a quick, one armed hug and grumbled jokingly, “Fine, I won’t. But none of that sensei stuff from you, either. Not unless - Oops, hold still a second.” He stopped walking and turned her to face him.

Sakura froze as he reached out with his free hand toward her hair. Kakashi heard her breath catch when his fingers slid back through the loose strands briefly before carefully sliding the fleck of blue he'd noticed from her hair. “What?” she asked, clearing her throat when the question came out a little hoarsely.

“Oh, nothing. Just a bit of blue that didn’t belong there,” Kakashi answered with a small laugh. "An escapee from the cold shower, it appears." He held his finger out to show her that it wasn't an excuse to get his hands in her hair. Well… not entirely at any rate. Whatever shampoo she used made her hair addictively soft. He’d have to find out what she used so he could buy it the next time Pakkun needed a bath.

She stared at the blue fleck almost as if she were in a daze before a series of rapid blinks seemed to return her to her senses. Taking a shaky breath, Sakura shook her head and curved her arm around his waist once again. When she moved forward, he did as well, though he noted she was moving more quickly now. He now added stroking her hair to the growing list of things she liked.

“So... you’ve got a mission next week?” she asked, trying to change the topic to business.

“Just a simple escort job,” he confirmed. “It's nothing too serious, but he'd insisted on an elite team and even paid the money upfront.”

“All of it?” she asked incredulously.

“Yup. Plus a bonus to compensate for traveling expenses. Naturally, Tsunade was very eager to take the job.”

Sakura's brow furrowed as she turned to look up at him with a worried expression. "Aren't you concerned he's not telling you everything? I mean, if it's such an easy escort job, why's he insisting on someone of your caliber?"

Kakashi was very grateful his mask hid the touch of warmth to his cheeks at her compliment. He knew she wasn't just saying it to be flattering either. The look in her eyes was far too honest and sincere to be contrived. "Not necessarily. The chance that he's not telling us everything we need to know about the mission is very high, but there is also the possibility he just wants decorative muscle."

“Decorative muscle?"

“Mm-hmm. Basically, we get paid to stand around and look impressive. Not entirely a bad way to- what?” He frowned when he noticed the odd look on her face.

Sakura shrugged, her lips twisting as if she'd just bitten into something that had gone bad. "I don't know. I guess... Never mind."

"No, finish what you were going to say."

"It's nothing."

"It can't be nothing if you were about to say it anyway. Does it bother you that there could be withheld information?"

She shook her head as her fingers began rubbing along his hip again. A small thrill shot up his spine, but any other reaction to the touch was carefully and quickly controlled. Yes, he liked it very much but he'd never been a slave to his body and he wasn't about to start now. Kakashi massaged her shoulder gently, encouraging her silently to finish her statement.

Scrunching her nose and venturing a glance up at him, she mumbled, "For some reason when you said that, I got the stupid idea that it was a little... like prostitution?" Wincing, she slapped a hand over her eyes and groaned. "Oooh, that's not what I mean exactly!"

Kakashi chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. He’d never really thought about it like that before. Like prostitution… he’d have to remember to tell Genma that the next time he saw him. The brown haired man would get a real kick out of that. "It's not a bad comparison, actually,” he conceded with a slight nod.

Her eyebrows lifted worriedly over her eyes as she bit her lower lip. "I didn't offend you, did I?"

"Nope. If anything, you've stroked my ego. To think that people would pay just to have my charming, witty, handsome-,"

"Shut up!" she grumbled, giving him a playful shove. The quirk to her lips, however, told him she was more amused than angry though. "And how would anyone know if you're handsome or not? You're always wearing that stupid mask!"

"Ah, now that's a lie," he argued. "The mask isn't stupid at all. It creates an air of intrigue. What woman can resist the allure of a mysterious man?"

"Please! That's not why you're wearing it!"

Kakashi arched a brow at her continued mirth and felt an answering curve to his lips. "You're trying to tell me it didn't work for you? You really don't want to know what lies underneath?"

Sakura rolled her eyes and gave a derisive snort. "Not if you have fish lips or boils or-,"

"Fish lips? Boils? Who told you that?" he demanded. If this was Genma spreading rumors about him just to get even for that one incident...

An impish grin came to her cheeks as she giggled, "Oh, no one. Those are just a few of the guesses I've heard over the years."

"Uh-huh. And what else have you heard?"

"Mmm... All sorts of things. Bad acne, a harelip, warts the size of a ryo, gnarled teeth… You wouldn't believe it, but some people actually do believe you're good looking under the mask. Of course, I'm not sure I really believe that one. I mean, what’s the point in hiding a handsome face?"

“Maybe because I’m so good looking that it causes instant nosebleeds and dazzles everyone into a trance?”

“Perhaps. But, that could also be a good weapon, you know. Nosebleed Kakashi has a nice ring to it.”

Kakashi shook his head, grinning at her teasing mood. Unfortunately, their conversation put him back at square one as far as information gathering. Every time he thought he had it pegged as to what it was she was after, his mask or his books, she seemed to be after the exact opposite. It was a little frustrating, to say the least. Here he was, one of the best ninja in Konoha, and he couldn't even get information out of a former student. Even he had to admit it was kind of pathetic.

When she removed her arm from around his waist and stepped away from him, Kakashi turned toward her curiously before glancing up at the building they had stopped in front of. Ah... they were at her place. He remained still as she stood on the first step leading toward the main entrance, a small smile touching her lips as she glanced down at her feet.

"Well... thanks for walking me home," she mumbled, awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other.

Kakashi shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets while contemplating whether or not he should just move in and kiss her. All the signals she was giving leaned toward her being receptive to a kiss, from the way she kept blushing every time she glanced at him to the nervous chewing of her lower lip. They’d already been on two dates. If he were a woman, he’d begin to think he wasn’t interested. That wouldn’t be good, not if he was trying to teach her a lesson on seduction.

However… He was pretty certain Haruno Sakura hadn’t been kissed before, which was enough of a complication to give him pause in the act. This would be her first kiss, and it would be about as meaningful as a bowl of ramen to her because she was only doing it to get close to him. He didn’t like that. It smacked of all kinds of wrong that she’d be wasting her first kiss on him. Then again… she had to have known it would happen eventually. If she honestly thought she could pretend to date someone without at least kissing them, she was incredibly naïve.

So, basically assuming a fuck it mentality, Kakashi made his move. He heard the sharp intake of her breath as he leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek lightly. He drew back slowly, a bit of a pleased smirk touching his lips at the dazed look on her face. Sakura’s cheeks were a soft shade of pink, one that complimented her hair exactly, and her eyes were a little glassy looking. Damn… if she spaced out just from a peck on the cheek, he was almost worried what would have happened to her if he’d kissed her on the mouth.

It took her a couple tries before she managed to clear her throat lightly and murmur, "I think you missed."

Her response took him completely off guard. Kakashi blinked in surprise at the shy, playful smile she gave him as she folded her hands together in front of her. Shifting his weight to one leg, he laughed softly as he settled his hands on her waist rather than having them crammed in his pockets. "You think so?" he teased back, allowing his eye to stray to her lips briefly.

Smiling back, she said, "Mm... yeah. Only by a little bit though." She held up her hand to show him the ‘measurement’ between her thumb and first finger.

Kakashi feigned an expression of deep thought as he nodded and stepped closer to her. He could just make out the pulse point in her throat jump erratically as he did that, indicating her heart rate had gone up considerably. "Should I try again?" he asked.

Sakura shrugged as if it didn’t matter one way or the other to her, but the affect was ruined by the edge of warmth in her eyes. "If you want. I mean, you obviously need the practice."

“Is that so?” he questioned softly, his mouth just the barest inch from hers. A shuddering breath left her as a fine tremor ran down her torso. Her hands were on his chest now, pressing into his flak vest in order to keep her balance. Kakashi watched as her eyes began to close, their green color still glittering through the fringe of lashes. As he got closer to her waiting lips, she angled her head in order to receive a kiss.

At the very last second, he redirected himself and kissed her other cheek, drawing back with a delighted grin as she let out an irritated groan. "Oops," he teased as he leaned back again, a trickle of laughter following that one word at the annoyed look she shot at him.

"It’s a damn good thing you don’t throw shuriken like you kiss, otherwise you’d be screwed," she complained with a slight wrinkle of her nose.

“Hmm... Maybe some more practice is in order?”

“Yeah, maybe. And maybe some lessons on anatomy as well.”

He wasn't going to say anything to that. It would be detrimental to his health, he was certain of it. Instead, Kakashi caressed his hand up the outside of her arm and across her shoulder, his fingers just barely ghosting over her skin and the fabric of her tunic. By the time his palm was curving around the side of her throat, his fingers resting near the base of her head, her breathing was shallow and her eyes had darkened from a deep jade to a shade that made him think of oak leaves at night.

Brushing his thumb along her jaw line, Kakashi circled his free arm around her waist to bring her more fully against him. With her standing on the step, Sakura was nearly eye-to-eye with him, which also put her mouth in a near perfect line with his. He didn't crush her to him, simply held her so that her breasts were pressing against his chest with each breath they took while keeping a small gap between their hips.

"Yeah, better try that again," he answered, keeping his voice low while his eye dropped to her parted lips. Her cheeks were still a bright pink, but there was nothing embarrassed about the look in her eyes. She was staring at his mask with such an intense gaze that it seemed as if she was trying to see beneath it.

Licking her lips with what almost looked like eagerness playing across her features, Sakura nodded her head and waited for him to proceed. Kakashi watched as her eyes began to slip shut once more, her breath catching as he inched slowly closer to her mouth. And, just as he'd done the time before, at the very last moment he moved to place that kiss to her cheek once again.

He couldn’t help grinning as he caught the distinct sound of her teeth grinding together out of frustration when he drew back. Kakashi traced her tight jaw lightly with his thumb, utterly amused by the barely restrained temper flaring in her eyes. He was fully expecting to get slapped across the face at any second. It would be worth it though.

Kakashi placed both hands along her waist again as she continued to glare at him, slowly shaking her head. She hadn't hit him yet, which was making him a little concerned. In fact, she wasn't doing much of anything besides glowering at him. “Something wrong?" he inquired with false innocence.

Sakura's eyes narrowed to thin, angry slits as she smoothed her hands flat against his vest. Her breathing was still shallow and her cheeks remained a little pinker than usual though, which meant she couldn’t be too upset over the teasing. "No," she replied slowly, her voice sounding like a person willing themselves into a calm, rational state. "Not yet.”

“But getting there?”

“You could say that.”

“Ah. One more try?”

Rolling her eyes, Sakura shook her head and grumbled, “Sure, why not?”

Chuckling at her reluctant reply, Kakashi cupped her cheek gently and brushed his thumb over her lower lip, eliciting a soft sound from her that could have passed for a groan. This really was almost too easy, but that didn’t mean he was going to stop. Once more, he leaned down toward her. And… this time, he brushed his cloth covered lips against the corner of her mouth before pulling back at her outraged snarl.

Sakura gave an annoyed groan and stamped her foot angrily on the step. “For the love of…” Before he could even register that she was moving, she grabbed a hold of his flak vest and jerked him down to her. There was nothing gentle or teasing about the kiss she planted on him. In fact, he considered himself lucky his teeth didn't cut into his lip from the force of it. It was actually rather hot, if he wanted to be completely honest. He always did like his women with a little piss and vinegar in them, and Sakura certainly possessed that in spades.

She shoved him away from her with a burning glare and snapped, “That’s how you’re supposed to kiss someone, idiot! On the mouth!”

Kakashi rubbed his abused lips through his mask and didn’t bother hiding his amusement at her expense. “Ah… Are you certain about that? Because I thought it was supposed to be more like this.” She didn’t have a chance to finish gasping before his mouth pressed to hers once again, moving much more gently than she had. It took a couple of softer, lighter touches to her lips before he felt her relax against him and start to respond. While he did enjoy her spunk… this side of Sakura was much kinder to his body.

He waited until her arms were circled around his neck before pulling back slowly to gage her reaction. Sakura’s eyes remained half closed and her lips were still parted in surprised pleasure. She licked her lips before sucking the lower one between her teeth, an act he was certain she didn’t mean to be sexual but still stirred up some pretty interesting little images in his head. Kakashi wrapped his arms around her waist and silently congratulated himself for knocking higher brain functions right out of her head. Apparently, he hadn’t lost his touch in the kissing department. Point Two for the Copy Ninja.

Finally, she managed to remember she could speak and said in a voice that was a little more hoarse than before, “Well… you definitely don’t have fish lips.”

"Relieved?" he joked back, grinning as that playful glow returned to her eyes. He released her slowly, stepping back in order to make his exit for the evening.

She shrugged and wrinkled her nose while relaxing her hands against his chest once again. "Kind of. It's bad enough that I've got cotton stuck on my lips-,"

"-Then perhaps you should try not to eat my mask next time."

"-But to have- HEY! I did not try and eat your mask!" Sakura snapped, shoving him away from her roughly.

Kakashi chuckled as she continued glaring at him, her arms crossed over her chest and her foot tapping against the concrete step. There was going to come a time, whether dating her or not, that he was going to walk away with a black eye as a result of picking on her. He just couldn't resist though. He continued moving away from her, walking backwards just so that he could relish her ire a little longer. "I told you I didn't need to pull the mask down to kiss you."

"You also said you'd show me on another date. This wasn't a date," she called back.

Smirking, Kakashi held up a finger and contradicted, "I never specified whether that was a calendar date or a recreational date, though."

"You're ridiculous!"

"And you need to take it easy on my clothes," he fired back. They were practically shouting at each other from across the street but he didn't care. It was interesting to see the reactions from the few people passing by on their way home, especially after the last comment. The poor elderly couple walking between them gaped from him to her and back again before hustling out of the area.

"Pervert! Do you even know how wrong that just sounded?!" she snarled, her arms uncrossing so that she was now standing with her fists on either side of her.

"Since when is it wrong to speak the truth?" Kakashi replied, laughing to himself when he just caught the edge of an angry growl from her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, apparently I need to learn the difference between a person’s cheek and their mouth.”

"Go home, Kakashi!”

Kakashi smiled cheerfully as he turned his back on her, waving airily over his shoulder as if she wasn’t glaring kunai into his back. "I'll see you Sunday, Sakura!” He knew without turning to check that she was still watching him, right up until the point where he rounded a corner between two buildings.

Well... this was certainly a much better night than he'd anticipated. He hadn't had to spend any money, he got out of going to a bar with people he barely knew (besides Asuma, that is) and he made quite a bit of progress with Sakura. Laughing to himself, Kakashi made his way back to his place to start making the arrangements for their Sunday venture.


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Sakura leaned against to door to her apartment once it was locked behind her and smiled. That smile soon turned to a delighted giggle, which evolved into full out triumphant laughter before she punched her fist into the air and shouted, “Hell, yeah!” She’d done it! She couldn’t believe she’d actually done it! Ino was gonna blow up when she found out Sakura had actually kissed Kakashi. And on the mouth, too!

He was right where she wanted him. She couldn’t believe. She just… She, Haruno Sakura, A-cup medic nin with an oversized forehead, had Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja of Hidden Leaf, eating right out of the palm of her hand. It didn’t matter that he was the most infuriating man she’d ever had to deal with. The most important thing was that he’d kissed her back. Take that, Ino-Pig!

Sighing happily, Sakura made her way back to her room to change for bed, still giggling every time she replayed the moment in her head. Everything about it had been just perfect. Her first real kiss had been used on a ‘mission’ but at least it had been a good experience. Kakashi had nice lips. She couldn’t see because of the stupid mask, but she’d sure felt them. Thin and firm and just… very nice. So much for the fish lips theory. And it turned out so much easier than she’d expected, too! Of course, it probably helped that he’d initiated it, but still… The whole thing had been brilliant. Just absolutely brilliant.

All hail Sakura, seductress extraordinaire!


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Kurenai's stomach all but leapt into her throat at the sound of a key grinding softly in the lock on the front door. Her heart skipped a beat before resuming at a much quicker pace when the solid wood slid open and Asuma stepped through, kicking his shoes off to one side while unzipping his flak vest. He glanced around the dimly lit apartment but apparently didn’t see her sitting in the shadowed living room. He was back early. Why was he back early, damn it? She wasn't finished practicing what she would say to him!

She’d left the hospital after her talk with Shizune feeling much better about being pregnant, but that feeling and slowly started fading out as her day progressed. All the usual things she did during the day had been altered because of the risk to her baby. She’d sat out of training with her team, which had even earned her an odd look from Shino. She’d found out she’d been assigned to a high paying mission and had quickly found someone else to cover it for her. Hagane Kotetsu had been incredibly flattered when she'd put his name at the top of the list for a potential replacement. Then, she’d gone to the Academy to see if there would be any teacher positions opening in the next few months. Unfortunately, they weren’t. The only instructor there ready to take the jounin exams was Iruka, and he’d always stated he was very happy staying where he was. All in all, it had been a very disappointing day… and she still hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell Asuma she was pregnant!

Asuma pulled the protector from around his forehead off and let it dangle from his fingers as he walked further into their apartment, his movements distracting her from dwelling on her crappy day. Kurenai continued to watch him silently from the corner of the couch she was curled up in as he dropped the metal and cloth band onto the countertop in the kitchen and slung his vest over the back of a chair. A dim light came from the kitchen, briefly breaking the shadows that shrouded the rest of the apartment. She could tell from where she sat that the light came from the refrigerator door having been pulled open.

She couldn't see him clearly as he poked in the refrigerator but the sound of plastic wrap being lifted told her he was pulling out leftovers. Hadn’t he gone out to dinner with his friends? She could have sworn that’s what he’d said that morning. A quick stab of irritation burned through her before she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and reminded herself that it wasn’t a big deal if he had or not. Damned pregnancy hormones... they were already starting to take affect! She could already tell being pregnant was going to be loads of fun.

Kurenai didn’t say anything when Asuma pulled a plate out from the cabinets above the sink, leaving the refrigerator door open in the process. Those cabinets had been her idea, actually. He hadn’t liked the pale colored wood she’d wanted... until they’d actually been installed and he saw how much brighter the kitchen became. It was the only thing she’d wanted to change about his place, which was more like a luxury penthouse than an apartment anyway. The design was simple yet tasteful, almost what she would term modern. It was the perfect place for two people to share. Now, it looked like she’d have to change more to make room for a baby. If he was okay with having a baby, that was. And if he wasn’t, well… she’d find another place to remodel. Simple as that.

When Asuma pulled out the container of orange juice, twisted the top off and began drinking from the container, it took all of Kurenai’s self control not to jump off the couch and rip him a new one. She hated when he drank out of the container! Why would he drink from the container when the cups were barely two feet away, right next to the plates? He could sure as hell pull out a plate and utensils, but a cup was too much? Argh...

Asuma finished gulping down the juice before returning it to the fridge and grabbing his plate of cold food. Kurenai’s heart jumped again when he made his way into the darkened living room and over to the couch in front of the television. He was not... Oh, he was. He was going to eat in the living room. After how many times he’d told her he wasn’t doing that and he had no idea how rice ended up on the rug? Well, she’d caught him red handed this time. He was so lucky she didn’t get up and dump the plate of food all over his lap! Once again, Kurenai forced herself to take deep, quiet breaths and find her calm place again.

She knew these were little things, things that normally wouldn’t have sent her into a rage on any other day, but they just seemed so much worse tonight. It wasn’t all because of the hormones either. Some of it was due to the fact that she was incredibly nervous about telling him to begin with. They’d been so careful about their relationship, neither of them wanting to risk a surprise pregnancy when their marriage wasn’t even technically announced yet. If there weren’t condoms in the apartment, then one of them either went out to get some or they found other ways to satisfy each other. It looked like all that stuff about condoms not being one hundred percent effective was too true.

Kurenai shifted on the side couch just as Asuma was about to sit down to watch television and eat in their living room. She heard him suck in a sharp breath before jumping quickly to his feet with his plate in hand. Leaning over, Kurenai turned on the side lamp, her brow arching at the all too guilty expression on his face. “Kurenai,” he began slowly, as if still trying to figure out what his excuse would be. “I, uh... Well, obviously we didn’t have dinner so I...”

“Uh-huh. I see that,” she bit out, settling her arms over her stomach and glancing pointedly at the kitchen again. “There’s a reason your kitchen has an island, Asuma. And it’s not just for putting flowers on either.” Even though she was annoyed with him, she couldn’t help the little smile that touched her lips at mentioning the newest arrangement on the countertop. One thing she had to say about Asuma was that he had a habit of being incredibly romantic, regardless of whether he was in trouble or not. Every time the current bouquet would start to wilt, a fresh order of flowers from the Yamanaka’s shop would arrive at the door for her. It was the little things like that which kept him from getting his ass handed to him for eating on the expensive rug she’d spent a good portion of her pay on.

Grinning sheepishly, he nodded and went quickly back to the kitchen with his food. “I thought you were in bed,” he called as he turned on the light and set his plate on the countertop, still standing as he began to eat. Every so often, he would glance at her warily before redirecting his gaze anywhere but at her. He knew something was up, she could tell just by the caution he was using around her. It made her feel a little guilty that she’d obviously killed his mood for the evening, but she couldn’t help it. Her mood for the next nine months had been shot to hell.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she replied, a trace of bitterness in her voice. The reason she couldn’t sleep was because she’d been trying to think of how to tell him she was pregnant. Damn it, she just needed to get this over with! Just say it and see what he said. Taking three deep breaths in and releasing them slowly to help steady her nerves, Kurenai stood up and padded softly into the kitchen. “Asuma... we need to talk.”

Asuma stopped eating in favor of looking her up and down. A spark of lust flashed through his eyes and a slightly lopsided smile curved his lips as he chuckled, “Sure, let’s talk about how you look better in my shirts than I do.” He was cracking jokes but she could see the tension in his jaw and knew that he was starting to get worried. Great…

Kurenai lost the fight to not smile at his compliment while smoothing her hands down the shirt that was several sizes too big for her. He knew that she only wore his clothing to bed when she had trouble getting to sleep, a habit that had started after she’d moved in with him. She missed him when he was away, and wearing something that smelled like him helped to ease that. Asuma had joked at the time that he was going to start wearing her bras to bed for the same reason. So far, she hadn’t caught him doing it.

Sighing, Asuma pushed his plate aside and rubbed his hand along the back of his neck, a guilty grimace crossing his features briefly. Kurenai continued to remain in the door way, her fingers picking nervously at his shirt. She had to do this. She could do this. It was just a baby, for crying out loud! Yeah… just a baby. That was something that would change both of their lives drastically. There was no ‘just’ about it.

“Look, I’m sorry about eating out there,” he said, his voice quiet but holding an edge to it that she recognized as his I’ve-apologized-stop-punishing-me tone. “I’ll vacuum tomorrow since it’s my mess.”

“I don’t care about the damn rug,” she muttered, flinching at the slightly irritated look that came over his face for just the barest of seconds. She knew she sounded like she was mad at him, but she wasn’t. She was mad at herself for… well, everything. For having a uterus, for not knowing how to tell him she was pregnant… Really, she didn’t see why she couldn’t say it. It wasn’t that hard, just two words were all she needed to say. It was even more simple a sentence than telling him she loved him. And yet… it wouldn’t come out.

Nodding and unwilling to press the subject further, Asuma poked his chopsticks at the meat on his plate absently as he tried to change the subject. “So, wanna hear the latest in Konoha gossip?”

“Hmm?” she asked absently as she moved away from the door to slide into a stool at the island. Kurenai really wasn’t all that interested in gossip, but at least this would give her a chance to try and work up her missing nerve. “Sure, who’s doing who?”

Asuma chuckled as he finally selected a piece of meat and stuck it in his mouth. “No one’s doing anyone as far as I know, but apparently Hatake Kakashi is off the market for the time being,” he replied with an amused smirk.

Kurenai did raise her brows at that. “Seriously? That sucks.”

“Huh?”

“I was going to try and fix him up with Matsudo Suki sometime this week.”

“The day clerk at the hospital?” When she nodded to confirm it was that particular woman, Asuma snickered and shook his head. “Well, at least you got the medic part right. From what Ino just told me, he’s actually seeing the Hokage’s apprentice.”

Now that prompted her full and undivided attention. Kurenai picked her head up off the countertop to gape at Asuma’s back as he turned to put his dishes in the sink. “Haruno Sakura? Are you sure about that?” she asked sharply.

Asuma nodded as he walked back over to her side to lean against the end of the island nearest to where she sat. “Yep, pink haired girl with a temper that rivals Tsunade’s. That’d be the one.”

“Wow…” Kurenai rubbed her fingers into her temples to ease the migraine she felt coming on. Now that was certainly an odd couple! She could just imagine the public reaction to learning the most sought after man in the village was dating someone not only fourteen years his junior but a former student of his to boot. “I feel sorry for them, I really do. Oh, God, does Tsunade know yet?”

Asume shook his head quickly as he rubbed his hand along her arm to allay her worries. “No, definitely not. Kakashi was walking just fine and didn’t show any signs of recent bodily trauma. Anyway, I don’t think either of them is saying much about it one way or the other.”

Kurenai nodded her understanding as she leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She knew too well what it was like to have the eyes of the village in the bedroom. Unconsciously, she pressed one hand to her flat stomach, a frown creasing her lips as she thought about their child. They’d been very quiet about their relationship for almost three years now. All of that would end the minute she started showing signs she was with child. Questions would be asked, more prying would be done… There would be a few people who wouldn’t be too happy that the former Hokage’s son hadn’t married anyone of much notice.

Sighing, she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder and murmured, “I feel bad for her. She has no idea what she’s getting herself into.”

Asuma took a deep breath in and released it slowly across the top of her head as he brushed a gentle kiss against her hair. “Me, too,” he replied, slipping his arm around her shoulders to bring her into a one armed hug. “But, she’s gonna either have to get used to it pretty quickly or call it quits. The one good thing she’s got on her side is a solid group of friends at her back.”

Kurenai sighed and snuggled more closely into his body. “That’s relieving to know. Some of the women out there are straight up bitches when it comes to things like this.” She was speaking from experience on that one. She’d had more nasty looks, spilled drinks and gouging fingernails flung at her person since she’d first been seen with Asuma than she had in her entire life before him. Although, she had to say she was actually rather grateful to the few who’d seriously tried to start a fight with her over Asuma. The fact that they’d all been taken away by medics while she left with a few scratches had scared most of the would-be love rivals off.

Chuckling as he leaned back and tilted her face up with one hand, Asuma leaned toward her and spoke in a low voice against her lips. “Trust me, I don’t think Sakura will have a problem if some of them get physical. I’ve seen the bruises she’s left on Ino in the past. It’s more the cattiness and rumor spreading that I think she’ll have a problem with.”

Giving a little hum of agreement, Kurenai wrapped her arms around Asuma’s waist and pressed her cheek to his chest when he turned to accommodate her better. The steady, even beating of his heart was soothing to her stretched nerves. His change in topic had been most welcomed, but it wasn’t changing the fact that she had to tell him her news. After several seconds of just listening to him breathe while he placed random kisses in her hair, Kurenai finally decided to just to get it done and over with. Quick and dirty, like ripping a bandage from a dried wound.

Taking a deep breath in and holding it, she blurted out, “Asuma... I’m pregnant.” She closed her eyes and waited for his verbal response. She’d already felt him suck in a harsh breath under her cheek and heard his heart literally skip a beat. Oh, God…

When Asuma released her to take a step back, Kurenai grit her teeth together so tightly that her jaw hurt and kept her eyes closed. Even though she couldn’t see him, she could sense the shock radiating off of him in waves. His continued silence was starting to scare her, acting like ice water being pumped into her veins so fast that it began to flood onto her skin. It was raising goose bumps down her arms, the nervous tension so thick inside her it was near impossible to breathe. Somehow, she managed to swallow passed the tightening in her throat and force her eyes open to venture a look at his face.

Asuma was gaping at her with his jaw slacked and eyes rounded. She flinched a little when his mouth opened and closed a couple times without anything coming out. Slowly, he continued backing away until he was no longer touching her, running one hand back through his hair while still very obviously struggling to find his voice.

Swallowing again, Kurenai leaned forward against the countertop, her hands wringing together fretfully as he began to shake his head. “Asuma?” she choked out, her eyes burning with the threat of tears. Out of all the life threatening situations she’d been in since being promoted to jounin, she’d never before felt a fear quite like this. The idea of Asuma rejecting her hadn’t seemed real until this moment. Now… God, if he didn’t say something soon she was going to lose it! “Asuma, please say something.”

It took him several more seconds of shocked silence before he cleared his throat and muttered, “Wow. I can’t… wow. I mean, you’re sure? As in, one hundred percent sure?”

Kurenai nodded and wiped the back of her hand across her cheek as the first tears began to fall. He wasn’t happy about it. She hadn’t actually thought he’d be disappointed by the news but… why else would he ask if she was sure? “Shizune confirmed it for me today. I’m a little over two weeks pregnant.”

What Asuma did next made her gasp in surprise and stare at him in bewilderment. One minute he was standing before her and looking like a dear in the headlights, and the next he was on his knees and dragging her of the chair and into his arms while lifting her shirt to stare at her stomach. “A baby… Damn, you really are gonna be the mother of my kid! Genma’s not gonna believe this!”

“What?” she asked, completely bewildered as to why Genma was being brought into this.

Asuma shook his head dismissively and said, “Never mind, it was just something we were joking about the other day. Damn…” From the awestruck look on his face, all his cursing was because he was excited and not because he was upset. The surge of relief that swept through her very nearly made her knees buckle from underneath her.

“Ah, so you jinxed us, huh?” she teased, tracing her fingers along his jaw tenderly as he continued gaping at her stomach.

Laughing in disbelief, he spread his wide palm across her stomach tenderly, shaking his head as if it was the most incredible thing he’d ever seen. Kurenai’s brow arched in disbelief when he turned his cheek against her stomach, pressing his ear to her skin while his hand smoothed down the side of her hip.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, a smile twitching at her lips as he continued to remain very still against her. She couldn’t believe she had ever thought this man would be angry over having a child. Yet another thing she could chalk up to the hormones, she supposed.

“I’m listening for the baby,” he replied, grinning when she smacked him on the side of the head lightly.

“Hate to tell you this, but you won’t hear anything from the baby until it starts screaming at three in the morning,” she chuckled while threading her fingers through his thick hair and hugging him to her. If it weren’t for his arms around her waist, she probably would have fallen right to the floor at that moment. All the tension, the pent up adrenaline and the worry that he wouldn’t accept the news flooded out of her in a rush that left her feeling dizzy. As it stood, there wasn’t anyway she could stop the happy tears from slipping down her cheek, even if she’d been inclined to try.

Asuma settled his chin on her tummy in order to flash what could only be called a delirious smile up at her. “How soon until I can feel it move?” He was acting like a kid who’d just found out he was getting the present he’d always wanted for his birthday. It was incredibly adorable… and it also gave her a taste of what it would probably be like with their own child. Greeeeeat.

Laughing and leaning down to kiss his forehead affectionately, Kurenai murmured, “Not for another eighteen weeks at least.”

“Damn, that’s a long time.” The disappointed flicker across his face was almost boyishly sweet and made her laugh again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Any idea if it’s a boy or girl? And what about twins?”

“For the love of God, Asuma, it’s the size of a sea monkey right now! Babies don’t just pop up overnight, you know.” She sniffled as the tears began to finally slow down, laughing at his eagerness while still threading her fingers back through his hair tenderly.

Sighing in resignation, Asuma stood up while keeping his arms around her waist. Kurenai smiled softly when he pressed a light kiss to her lips. His eyes were still locked on her flat stomach as if he had every intention of never letting it out of his sight. That was perfectly fine with her… but the damned pregnancy hormones were reacting to his touch and her happiness, urging that perhaps they should celebrate in the same way that had gotten her pregnant to begin with.

“Hey, Asuma?” she whispered against his mouth before laying a series of suggestive, nipping kisses along his lips. The way his hands pressed more firmly into her hips before slipping down to grip her rear and squeeze it told her he really liked what she was doing.

“Hmm?” he replied while slowly steering her back against the kitchen wall again. All the while his mouth was busy doing some really interesting things to her neck and shoulders, things that made Kurenai’s eyes almost roll back into her head. Each light nip, teasing flick of his tongue and gentle suck wound her desire higher as she turned her face in to nuzzle his neck in return.

“Did you know a woman can have sex up through her third trimester?” Kurenai arched against him, rubbing her hips against his and dragging a heavy groan from him in response. She kissed her way along his jaw until she met his mouth again, her tongue tracing along his lips teasingly before slipping into his mouth when he parted his lips for her.

The kiss was slow but heated, full of soft sounds and heavy breaths as they both moved for a better angle against each other. Asuma broke away first in favor of returning to her neck while his hand moved up over the skin of her stomach to cup one of her breasts. “I have no idea what a trimester is, but that’s good to know,” he mumbled, speaking while nibbling down the side of her neck.

Kurenai groaned, her nails curling into the fabric covering his shoulders as he began to knead her breast gently. God… it was almost unbearable how much she wanted to do him! Slipping her hands down his chest, she began tugging his shirt up with the single minded urgency of a pregnant, horny woman. “And did you know it’s actually encouraged for pregnant women to have sex to relieve the tensions that come with carrying a child?”

“That’s… great. Really. Can we please get to a room we can have sex in now?” He was making reference to the one and only time he’d wanted to have sex in the kitchen. She’d flat out refused, stating she didn’t want to fuck him in a room they prepared food in. He’d been disappointed… until she’d gotten him in the shower and blown his circuits by going down on him.

Kurenai grinned as she locked her legs around his waist and tugged his hair to angle his head back for another kiss. After several seconds of exploring tongues and groping hands, she pulled away and gasped, “The living room since you’re already cleaning it tomorrow.”

“Fine by me. It’s closer than the bedroom.” And, without further discussion, Kurenai held on tight as Asuma moved them back to the couch and her expensive rug