Afraid of the Dark (KakaSaku)

Empty Promises

Empty.

Nagato erupted into laughter, clutching Kakashi as he doubled over in amusement. "You really had me there, Hatake! Gods, you're too fun. Enjoy the rest of the night, yeah? You've more than proven your little addition is worthwhile... as long as you can keep her under control."

Kakashi holstered his gun, grabbing Sakura's hand and leading her toward the hallway. Her head spun, panic gripping her chest as they stepped over the bodies of Nagato's men. "What about them, Kakashi?" she asked as they made their way into the cold night air. "He'll clean it up, as usual," Kakashi replied, his voice tight.

He walked quickly, gripping her hand too hard, the burns on her skin stinging under his touch. "Can you slow down?" she pleaded, out of breath and dizzy from the drugs. Kakashi was trying to calm himself, the adrenaline and intoxication overwhelming him. He had lost control—dropped four bodies and almost killed Nagato. He didn't know his gun was empty.

Sakura stared up at the stars as he dragged her along at a hurried pace. Once they reached the familiar iron gate, Kakashi quickly got them inside. Sakura stumbled as she kicked off her shoes, laughter bubbling up from her chest. Kakashi disappeared somewhere as she made her way to the couch. She plopped down, feeling as if she were melting into the softness of the fabric, the walls seeming to ooze green.

Before she realized it, Kakashi handed her a glass of ice water. She drank it all without being told. Kakashi sat next to her, leaning his head back on the couch. He had removed his mask, running a hand through his messy hair. Sakura stared at him, arousal building as she remembered what had happened less than an hour ago. The silence between them was comfortable, the colors in her vision swirling as she took in his features.

He broke the silence. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice cracking. Sakura felt a deep pang of sadness hearing him so broken. "You don't have to apologize. You told me I have to play the game, and that's what I'm doing."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling deeply before meeting her eyes. "I never should have gotten you into this mess." He sighed, guilt eating away at him. He had known something bad would happen tonight. Usually, he had things under control, but tonight, with Sakura, it was different. He couldn't control his anger—the thought of someone else's hands on her. Kakashi reached up and twirled a piece of her hair between his fingers, studying her soft features. Her eyes were even more dilated than before, and he guessed his were too.

"I almost killed him tonight," Kakashi admitted, more to himself than to her. Sakura gave him a concerned look. "Why didn't you? Isn't he supposed to go down anyway?"

Kakashi continued twirling her hair, his eyes distant as he responded, "He has to be alive to go down. The only reason he's still breathing is because my gun was empty."

Sakura stared at him, shock evident on her face. "You didn't know it was empty?" Kakashi met her gaze and shook his head. "No."

Sakura couldn't control the laughter that burst out of her, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. "Kakashi, you really were going to kill him?" Seeing her so amused made Kakashi smile back at her, tucking her hair behind her ear. His tone grew serious. "He touched your hair after making me degrade you in front of him. Killing him would've been too merciful."

Sakura flushed, her face growing hot as she remembered the evening's events again. With her inhibitions gone, she whispered, "I... I enjoyed it."

Kakashi looked at her, a mix of confusion and humor crossing his face before he leaned in closer. "Of course you liked it," he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips. Sakura flushed at her own admission, catching the intensity in Kakashi's eyes. "Do you feel the same way I do?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with vulnerability.