Afraid of the Dark (KakaSaku)

Drug Money

Sakura grabbed the discreet duffle bag and made her way out the door, a sense of unease settling over her as she walked. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, glancing over her shoulder repeatedly as she headed toward the alleyway she had visited twice before. Her heart pounded as she rounded the corner, only to find the alley empty. The flickering light from a dim streetlamp cast eerie shadows, heightening her anxiety. Clutching the strap of the bag tightly, Sakura waited, her nerves on edge.

Kakashi's absence felt strange. He was never late. She glanced at her watch—it was nearly half past 7 PM. A sigh escaped her as she decided to leave, preferring the safety of a more well-lit area. But as she turned to go, she collided with someone emerging from the shadows.

"Sorry I'm late, sweetheart. I had some other business to attend to," Kakashi said, his hands settling on her shoulders. Sakura's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. He took the bag from her shoulder, unzipping it to inspect the contents. Inside were pill bottles and something new—vials of morphine. Sakura averted her gaze, waiting for his reaction.

Kakashi let out a low whistle as he pulled out a vial, his eyes darkening as he looked at her. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You've outdone yourself this time," he said, his tone laced with accusation. "You must really want something from me, huh?"

Sakura's face flushed at his insinuation. "It's not about that," she replied quietly. "I'm doing this to keep Tsunade and everyone else out of it. This is my fight, not theirs."

Kakashi hummed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But how else will I get you to listen?" His words were sharp, leaving Sakura with little hope that he'd accept her offer. Desperate, she looked up at him, her eyes pleading. "I'll listen, okay? I-I'm good at this, I can handle it. Just please, leave my loved ones out of it..." Her voice trembled, the vulnerability in her words making her feel weak.

Kakashi zipped up the bag and slung it over his shoulder. "I'll think about it," he said, turning to leave. Sakura stood there, paralyzed by her thoughts. It took her a moment to gather the courage to call out to him.

"Kakashi!..." He stopped, turning back toward her, his expression unreadable as he waited for her to speak. "How long? When does this end?..." Her voice was laced with desperation, the tension between them heavy and suffocating.

Kakashi took a few steps toward her, closing the distance between them. He looked down at her, his tone curt and final. "This isn't something with a time frame," he said, his words hanging in the air like a sentence with no end. The reality settled in—there was no finish line in sight. Kakashi studied her face for a moment, before reaching out to move her hair out of her eyes.

"I'll make you a deal. I'll leave your loved ones out of this, as long as you agree to everything I say from now on." His tone was genuine, and it made Sakura's heart skip a beat. Could she really afford to refuse him?

Without hesitation, Sakura nodded. "Yes. I'll do it." Her loved ones were counting on her, and though she wouldn't admit it out loud, a part of her relished the thrill of playing the system to make these drops. It was a twisted sense of pride—Kakashi himself had said, "Anyone else would've messed this up by now." That echo of his words fueled her as she followed his orders, knowing she was the only one who could pull this off with such precision.

Kakashi smiled, his eyes crinkling. "For starters, I'll walk you home. I need you to change my bandages." His statement took her off guard, and for a moment, Sakura stood frozen.

She hurried to catch up with him as he turned and started walking. They moved in silence, the night air thick with tension. "Why is it always my place, anyway?" Sakura finally mused, feeling a bit slighted by the routine.