The Copy ninja hadn't been his instructor for years, but somehow he could never seem to get used to calling him "senpai", even though Kakashi always said being called "sensei" made him feel old.
The sound of his voice was enough to pull the Jounin out of his book and he looked up and raised a hand in greeting to the orange and black jacketed man who was running towards him.
"Hello Naruto," he said, his smile hidden beneath his mask but his eye crease communicating the gesture all the same. "Why are you out and about this evening?"
"I was just walking Sakura home," the blonde said, falling into step with Kakashi even though he was walking in the direction opposite of his own house. Even though he was tired, there was something he wanted to say to the masked man before he left on his mission in the morning.
"Oh, is that so?" Kakashi said, controlling his voice carefully despite the slight wave of aggravation that passed through him just at the mention of her name. He had been doing his best to forget about his predicament all afternoon and Naruto had gone and brought it up again.
"Yeah, she told me you two were going on a mission tomorrow, some place far away."
The younger man kept his tone casual but in reality he was curious to see how Kakashi would react. The Copy nin had refocused his attention on his book as they walked but Naruto knew he wasn't reading it, for he saw his former sensei tense almost imperceptibly before getting a grip on himself and putting his calm façade back into place.
Kakashi "hmmed" mundanely but was inwardly groaning. He had hoped Sakura wouldn't divest the details of their mission to any of the curious people who were no doubt asking her but it appeared she had at least told Naruto and probably the rest of her team. Now the question was, just how much had she said?
"She said she was really nervous," Naruto continued, interlacing his fingers behind his head as he walked. "But I told her not to worry. She always figures out a way to get through difficult situations."
"That she does," Kakashi responded without shifting his eyes from his dog eared page.
"Yeah," he said, deciding to drop the bomb. "Even if she had to undress and dance for strange men, I'm sure she'll make the best of it."
Kakashi damn near dropped his book at Naruto's comment but managed to disguise his shock well and stopped in his tracks, finally giving him his full attention.
"This is not an easy situation for either of us," he said evenly, unsure what Naruto was getting at.
"I'm sure it's not, especially since she has to learn everything from you."
"What are you trying to say Naruto?" the taller man asked flatly, tired of the blonde's insinuations and wanting to get to the point.
"All I'm saying is that this is hard enough for her. Don't do anything to make it harder." Naruto said, crossing his arms defensively over his chest.
"And how do you propose I would do that?" Kakashi asked, arching a silver eyebrow.
"Well…I mean…you know…" Naruto began, beginning to fidget as he tried to find the right words. "Like what's in your books. Like…perverted stuff."
Kakashi sighed patiently, knowing his student meant well, but some things were just unavoidable.
"Naruto, I don't know if anyone has told you, but gentleman's clubs are full of "perverted stuff" and it is my job to make sure Sakura is adequately prepared for it."
"I know," Naruto whined, looking down at the rock he was currently toeing with his sandal before mustering his courage and pointing an accusing finger at him. "It's just that… you better not take advantage of Sakura-chan, because if you do and I find out, you can be sure that both Tsunade and me are going to kick your butt!"
Kakashi had to admire the kid's gumption, but in all honesty, the thought was a little ludicrous.
He didn't want to be the one to train Sakura any more than she did, and the thought of seeing her little girl body in skimpy attire, shaking her absence of curves was going to be a little uncomfortable to say the least.
Teaching her how to shake would be even worse but it was what he had been assigned to do and he would do it, with or without Naruto's threats.
"I appreciate your concern Naruto, but nothing is going to happen. I will do what I need to do, nothing more, nothing less."
For a moment the two men just stared at each other and Kakashi could feel piercing blue eyes appraising him as if he were trying to see through any lie Kakashi might be telling. Just when the Copy nin wondered if he was going to stare at him all night, Naruto thrust out his hand in an unexpected gesture and waited for his sensei to shake it.
Hesitantly, the Jounin gripped his calloused hand with his own and Naruto squeezed back.
"Take care of her Kakashi," he said softly, but earnestly as they shook hands. "This will be really difficult for her."
"I know Naruto, I will," he answered, releasing his hand and placing it back into his pocket while his other held his book.
The blonde nodded, seeming satisfied with their conversation and then out of nowhere, flashed him his usual smile.
"Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back then?"
Kakashi dipped his head in affirmation.
"All right well, goodnight!" he said before walking back the direction they had come, towards his house and his bed.
Kakashi watched his back for a moment, his mind replaying their unexpected conversation.
The thought of taking advantage of Sakura honestly hadn't even crossed his mind and he chuckled softly at Naruto's overreaction. He planned to be nothing but completely professional on this trip and he assumed his partner would do the same, although he had no doubt that he would need an infinite amount of patience for the training that lay ahead in the next few days.
Sakura had been so innocent and naïve when he had first met her and he supposed in some ways she still was.
She had grown battle hardened over the years and had seen her fair share of bloodshed, but as far as the wicked thoughts of men and what they desired to do to a beautiful women, he doubted she knew much more than what she had read in her medical books.
Oh, yes, he was really in for it this time around.
By now it was too dark to read since the lanterns had been put out as the townsfolk went to bed. He pocketed his book and shoved both hands in his pockets as he continued his trek back to his own apartment, knowing morning would come much too soon.
XXXXX
She knew she should be sleeping since she was in for a busy day tomorrow, but she just couldn't make her mind stop reeling with endless thoughts about the mission…and Sasuke.
She was so sick of thinking about him but she couldn't help it. His reaction today had been nothing if disheartening, although she wasn't sure what she had expected from him.
For him to say he thought the idea of her dancing was sexy? That he knew she would be good at it? She knew that was preposterous but deep down she had kind of hoped that through her mortification, something good would come out of it, like Sasuke finally seeing what had been in front of him all these years.
She supposed that was far too much to ask.
Even though every fiber of her being wanted nothing to do with mission, she knew she had a lot to prove. Everyone expected her to fall flat on her face, to utterly suck at being sexy. Isn't that why Kakashi was coming along?
He would coach her in how to be sexy since she apparently didn't have a clue and it was a little offensive to think she would be receiving such lessons from a man.
Sakura rolled over and huffed to herself, letting out a little of the pent up frustration she had been harboring all day.
Like it or not, she would successfully conclude this mission. She was tired of trailing behind her other team mates. Even Sai was superior to her most of the time as long as it didn't involve social interaction.
She wanted to show them she was just as good, that she could do anything and do it well. And who knew? Maybe some of the tricks Kakashi would teach her would come in handy next time she saw Sasuke. Maybe by the time she came back, she would exude sex appeal and attract every guy for miles.
Sakura doubted it, but it didn't hurt to dream.
She rolled onto her back restlessly and willed herself to stop staring at the ceiling and instead shut her eyes.
Gradually her breathing slowed, as did her racing thoughts and finally, Sakura was asleep.
___________________
Read 30 Chapters Ahead of Webnovel!
Patreon.com/Xentian
Get 30% OFF using this special code— 58888