Afraid of the Dark (KakaSaku)

Candy Flip

Sakura awoke on the bathroom floor to Kakashi gently shaking her. She blinked groggily, feeling the stiffness in her body as she tried to sit up. Kakashi helped her to her feet, handing her a set of clothes. "Where did you get these?" she asked, noticing they were from her own closet.

"I went to your house and grabbed some of your things," Kakashi replied with a shrug. "I've set up the guest room across the hall for you." He rubbed the back of his neck, a rare sign of nervousness from him.

Sakura reached for the glass of water and drank deeply, the cold liquid soothing her dry throat. "Please eat," Kakashi urged, nodding toward the toast. "I can make you something else if you'd prefer."

Seeing him like this—caring, almost gentle—felt strange to Sakura. She had only known him as demanding and unyielding, but now he was speaking to her with a softness that was unfamiliar. She shook her head and picked up the toast, eating both pieces without complaint. The food settled her stomach, and she felt a small measure of relief.

Kakashi checked his watch, a deep sigh escaping him before he spoke again. "Sakura, there's something we have to do..." His tone had shifted back to serious, almost grim.

She looked at him, concern in her eyes. "What is it?"

"Nagato wants both of us to see him tonight," Kakashi said, his voice heavy with worry.

Sakura's heart began to race. "What do you mean? Why do I have to go?"

Kakashi bit his lip, struggling to keep his composure. He knew he had to prepare her for what was coming. "He's going to make us try something he's been working on. It's part of his process; he creates something new and forces everyone under his command to test it. He's a twisted man, Sakura. You need to understand how dangerous this is."

Sakura felt a wave of confusion and fear. "But I don't work for him."

Kakashi gave her a hard look. "You do now. Get changed. We have to be there by nightfall, and he doesn't tolerate lateness."

Without waiting for her response, Kakashi turned and left the room, leaving her to get dressed. Sakura's mind was racing, her breath coming in shallow gasps as panic threatened to overtake her. Her hands trembled as she pulled on a simple pair of jeans and a sweater, the knot in her stomach tightening with every passing second.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. "It's time to go, Sakura," Kakashi called from the other side.

As she opened the door, Kakashi grabbed her by the shoulders, his grip firm. "Whatever happens, you listen to me. You do everything I say, no matter what it is," he said, his tone sharp and commanding, reminding her of the man she had once feared. Anxiety coursed through her, but all she could do was nod in response.

They stepped out into the cold night, the air thick with the scent of petrichor from the impending rain. The streets were quiet as they made their way to the north side of Konoha, the only sound the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the pavement. As they rounded a corner, Sakura was surprised to see that they were heading toward a nightclub. The thumping bass of the music reverberated through the ground, growing louder as they approached.

Kakashi took her hand, leading her to a side entrance where a burly bodyguard nodded at them, allowing them to slip through. Inside, the music was deafening, the dim lights casting long shadows in the narrow hallway. The bass pounded in Sakura's chest as they walked down the corridor, stopping in front of a massive door.

Kakashi glanced at her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before knocking.

"Hatake! Come in, come in!" Nagato's voice boomed above the blaring music as he opened the door. The room they entered was thick with smoke and the overpowering scent of alcohol. Several people lounged around, many with scantily clad dancers perched on their laps. Sakura averted her gaze, focusing on the floor until a hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up.