Afraid of the Dark (KakaSaku)

Veil of Control

Sakura dumped the contents onto the table, her fury overpowering any lingering sense of caution. Nagato handed her a rolled-up bill, and she accepted it without hesitation. "Where's Kakashi?" she asked, her voice tense.

Nagato shrugged, casually snorting the contents of his own bag before meticulously aligning Sakura's into a neat line. Their eyes met as she inhaled sharply, the burn immediate and intense. "Hatake's hard to track. He does what he wants, and I let him because he's always delivered. I figured you were with him, considering you're under his lock and key."

As the familiar rush hit her, Sakura's anger melted into a dizzying euphoria. The pain she'd been trying to escape dissolved into a haze. "Hatake doesn't own me, though I'm sure he'd like to," she giggled, her voice light as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

Nagato chuckled, sliding closer to her in the booth. "What would it take?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

Sakura blinked, puzzled. "For what?" she asked, suddenly aware of how close he was.

"To own you. What would it take?" His smirk widened, his gaze intent.

Sakura inhaled sharply, her remaining inhibitions screaming at her to recognize the danger. "I guess they'd have to be nice to me," she murmured, the words feeling distant and wrong. A wave of nausea rolled over her as Nagato's proximity became suffocating. She stood up quickly, trying to create some space between them.

But Nagato was quicker, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back down. "Leaving already? I think I at least deserve a dance, don't you?"

Sakura forced a smile, the drugs dulling her unease. "One dance, and then I have to go," she agreed, her voice more playful than she felt.

Nagato's smile broadened as he led her onto the dance floor. The music pulsed through her, and she let the beat take over, her hips swaying in time. The drugs heightened everything, allowing her to momentarily forget who she was dancing with. His hands roamed down her torso, settling on her hips as they moved together. They danced like this until the song ended, Sakura throwing her head back with laughter, lost in the moment.

As the music faded, Nagato finally released her, allowing her to step back. He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm a man of my word. If you need to leave, go ahead," he said, gesturing toward the door.

Sakura glanced at the time on her phone. The sun had set an hour ago; she had been there much longer than she'd realized. The drugs had distorted her sense of time. She smiled at Nagato, teasing, "I must go. Don't be too sad about it," before turning to leave.

Nagato caught her arm, pulling her back for one last word. "You'll be back. They always come back."

Sakura didn't let the words fully register. She just laughed and nodded before finally exiting the club. The cold night air hit her skin as she stepped outside, the stars twinkling above. She walked slowly back to Kakashi's house, savoring the high, even as a small voice in the back of her mind warned her of the danger. But she pushed it aside, lost in the euphoria. She could hide here, she thought. In the bliss.

When she finally stood in front of the big iron gate, the anger she had pushed aside began to bubble up again. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone watching her. Shaking off the paranoia, she punched in the code and made her way inside.

She wasn't expecting Kakashi to be home. It wasn't that late, and she figured he'd still be out. But as she stepped into the living room, she froze. Kakashi was there, waiting for her. His hands were clasped in front of his masked face, and even in her altered state, Sakura could feel the fury radiating off him.