What Should Have Been

Interesting Night

Sakura's POV:

We walk back to the inn with our swimsuits and strawberries in hand. I could laugh at the absurdity, but once we reach the room, my stomach starts nervously churning.

Why am I so nervous? This was my idea. Yet, I'd never seen Kakashi in any state of... undress. In fact, it wasn't that long ago that I'd seen his face for the first time.

Well, if his body is anything like his face... I shake my head of the thought. Yet, my inner voice persists. C'mon, Sakura. Like you haven't noticed the way his clothes cling to his body...

"Well," Kakashi's voice cuts through my intrusive thoughts. "We have strawberries and swimsuits. Looks like we're in for an interesting night." He chuckles.

I simply giggle back in response, attempting to mask my nervousness. Although, I'm positive it only makes it more obvious.

"Plus, we have this sake the staff left on the counter for us. Maybe it's our honeymoon, after all."

I snicker at that remark. "I could go for some of that right now."

"Would you like to go change while I prepare some?"

This is it. "Sure, why not?" I shrug, hoping to seem nonchalant. "Thanks," I give a small smile before turning to walk towards the bathroom.

Once I close the bathroom door behind me, I force myself not to think – just change. If I think about it, I'll never do it. However, I do inspect my personal hygiene. I check to make sure I'm shaved to my liking and that I smell nice. I tell myself it's only because I'll be in something revealing, and it's only fair I'd want to look presentable.

I scrutinize my form in the mirror and actually don't hate how the swimsuit looks on me. It's surprisingly flattering and makes me look like I have more curves than I do. The top squeezes just enough to give me some cleavage. The bottoms hit a little below my belly button, and I turn to see that they show a reasonable amount of cheek. The last thing I want is for it to be too revealing. I don't want to be uncomfortable or make Kakashi uneasy.

I tie my hair up and slide into one of the white, fluffy robes before leaving the bathroom. I'm not ready to bare it all just yet.

When I re-enter the room, Kakashi hands me a cup of sake. "My turn," he smirks. "Be right back."

Not sure what else to do at the moment, I patiently wait for him. He takes a little longer than I'd imagined it would take a man to change into swim trunks – still, not nearly as long as I took.

When he saunters back into the room, my mouth goes completely dry. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight before me. I'm faced with pale skin, broad shoulders; toned arms, chest and abdomen. His swim trunks sit a little lower than I have the mental fortitude for. And don't get me started on those thighs....

I quickly pull my eyes up to his face. Bad idea. He's no longer wearing his mask, his smirk now fully exposed, teeth flashing at me. His eyes are on mine, darker than ever.

Once he gets closer, he reaches around me. I can feel the heat from his body. He pulls back slightly, leaning against the counter mere inches away from me with his sake cup in hand. "To new beginnings," he lifts his cup.

"New beginnings," I mutter. Then, we drink. I can feel the sake warm my insides.

He pours us another. "Strawberry?" He asks after the second cup.

"Sure."

He leans over the counter, smiling as he soon presents me with a strawberry dipped in melted chocolate. "Surprise," he says in a gentle tone, holding the strawberry close to my lips. Surprise, indeed. I can't help but hum as I take a dainty bite. The strawberry itself is so sweet and the chocolate, so rich and dark. I get so lost in this perfect fusion of flavors that I don't realize I'm licking chocolate from his thumb until it's too late.

He doesn't move. Instead, his eyes burn into mine. He does the unthinkable and gently presses his thumb into my mouth. "Here," he whispers. He watches as I fully accept it, sucking lightly. After a moment, he slowly removes his thumb just to drag it across my bottom lip.

He closely observes my reaction. I'm certain my eyes look like a baby deer's staring back at him widely. So many emotions flicker across his face. "I like feeding you, Sakura." He says lowly.

He then lightly taps a few of his cool fingers against the bottom of my chin. He offers a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Let's see how the water is." When he goes to check the water, I hear him breathe like he'd forgotten to for a long time.

As he faces the other direction, I take that chance to shed my bathrobe. It's now or never. The cool air hits my body.

"Feels amazing," Kakashi shakes some excess water from his hand and reaches back with the other. His hand locks gently around my forearm. "Ready?" He turns to look at me and stops dead in his tracks.

His eyes defiantly lock onto mine, but then, that strength seems to dwindle as curiosity gets the best of him. His eyes fall to my body, and he stands so still it's almost concerning. Nothing moves but his eyes - over my chest, waist, legs. He's careful not to keep his eyes anywhere for too long and seems to almost try to skip over the junction between my thighs - too intimate, too intrusive. Yet, it's as if I can feel his gaze brushing lightly against my skin. There's something oddly comforting about it. No matter how dark his eyes get, how heated and weighted the air becomes, how thick and animalistic the tension feels, there's always that glint of caution in his eyes.

His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows. He then casts his eyes downward, blushing. "Forgive me, Sakura." He says quietly, his deep voice slightly strained.

"Let's get in." I respond in a reassuring tone, smiling.

The corner of his mouth twitches up. He steps into the water carefully, tugging at my arm ever so slightly. I go to step in behind him, but my footing must have been precarious. Once he's halfway submerged in the water, he turns to face me. The miniscule shift in balance and position of our hands has me falling, splashing into him.

When the initial shock wears off, I hear Kakashi grunt quietly. Oh no, did I hurt him?! Instead, I look down to find myself locked around him. His muscular arms are holding me tightly in place, my hands instinctively clutching his shoulders. I realize my thighs must be squeezing him as tightly as his biceps are squeezing me. Suddenly, I become hyperaware of our wet, barely clothed bodies pressed flush against each other - my breasts against his firm chest and... oh god... his massive hard-on against my lower stomach....

I feel light-headed. Stay as still as possible. I stay locked around him without moving, yet I feel heat shoot violently down my body. He must feel it.... He has to. I blush hard. I can't move. I feel melded to him. He must sense how warm it's become between my legs, where he's pressed so tightly.

I dare myself to look into his eyes. Huge mistake. Our faces are mere inches apart, and his black eyes burn right through me. He's wearing a dumbfounded yet nearly delirious expression. His gaze falls upon my lips for a breath of time.

I don't know if it's his expression, the heat, the sake, the night sky, or desperation - possibly an enchanting blend of all - that emboldens me to bring my face dangerously close to his, our noses nearly touching.

"Sakura," he says in a warning tone.

"Yes, Kakashi?" I breathe, feeling in a dream-like state.

He furrows his brows, fighting with himself. His shoulders are tense. I rub my hands over them.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you wanted to kiss me."

His eyes soften, an unfamiliar vulnerability filling them. "We shouldn't...."

His words only make my stomach flutter with excitement. "Says who?"

"It would change everything...."

"I think I'm due for a good change."

"Fuck, Sakura," he breathes shallowly. His hand moves to caress my cheek, his thumb under my chin. He tilts my face up a little, and soon, his lips are burning against mine.