"That's it, baby…take it like the good girl you are" he rasped against the side of Sakura's neck, his warm breath comforting her as she received her punishment.

"AH! Aaaah…" Sakura whimpered through the ball gag as she hung over the knee of her sensei, wriggling in pain as her spanking continued.

"Hush now, you knew this was coming… how dare you disobey a direct order from your master!" the silver-haired jonin shouted as his hand came crashing down across the pinkette's bare ass.

"MNN! UHN!" Sakura cried against her restraints. Kakashi had tied her up fairly tight this time, and as he held her tied wrists behind her with his free hand, she cringed against the rope burn she could tell was forming. But soon she found herself needlessly reacting to the pain, the initial sting had worn away.

With each slap of her ass, her sensei's unforgiving hand sent shockwaves of electricity through her body. The constant tingle on her backside, sending her receptors into overdrive as the pain settled to make way for a more intense, pleasurable feeling… it's warmth filling her veins with liquid fire as she began to moan and sigh against his ministrations, submitting to them willingly. As her legs began to twitch, her thighs rubbed deliciously together, the added pressure from her rocking hips flooding her entrance as she felt herself… her body, begging for more.

"Mmm… your ass is as pink as your hair now… maybe that means you've learned your lesson… for now…" his low voice suggested, his hand gently caressing the punished skin, his fingertips cool against her burning flesh.

"Oh? Looks like I've worked someone up…" Kakashi teased, dipping his fingers down between the apex of her thighs, brushing lightly over the outside of her moistened lips, "Does me punishing you turn you on this much, little one?"

Moaning out loudly, the kunoichi found herself genuinely turned on under his torture, loving the fact that his body was telling her one thing, but his soft and caring tone was telling her another. Pushing against his inquisitive hand, Sakura found herself thrusting back, reaching for his touch, as if willing his hand to explore other areas of interest. But Kakashi was having none of it, giving her rosy cheeks another hard slap, Kakashi pulled her by the hair, leaning down close to her ear.

"Sakura…" he called out, his voice dimming as another louder one chimed in.

"Hmm?" Sakura moaned out of confusion, anxiously hanging on his every word.

"SA-KU-RAAAA!"

The loud voice jarring her from her sleep, the medic nin blinked, accommodating her tired eyes to the light before lifting her head off her desk, trying to inconspicuously dry the drool from the corner of her mouth. With inner Sakura currently on the rampage and kicking herself for her blatant stupidity of having fallen asleep at work, outer Sakura tried to look alive, apologetically smiling at an irritated Shizune.

"Eh..gomen Shizune-san, I didn't mean to-"

"Well, never mind that, just make sure you get more sleep at night, Sakura-chan. You have more responsibility as a full-time medic nin now, I can't have you falling asleep on the job or getting sick, okay?"

"Of course. It'll never happen again, I really am sorr-"

"Oh, it's okay. Never mind that, I just came to tell you that you have a visitor" Shizune stated quietly, her face trying to convey some hidden meaning as she held eye contact with the sleep-eyed kunoichi.

"A… visitor? Like a patient?" Sakura offered, her face twisting in confusion.

"Uh…no, not a patient. Someone who wants to take you out to lunch today. I'm afraid he just wouldn't take 'No' for an answer" Shizune confessed, her narrowing eyes motioning Sakura to the door behind her, where the visitor stood, leaning against the frame.

"Hello, Nurse" the visitor chuckled.

Rolling in her chair, sticking her head around Shizune, Sakura locked eyes with the visitor, her jaw dropping in shock, not surprise.

Ehhh? Why is HE here?

It was not who usually came in to see her, granted she was always too busy to have visitors who weren't patients, but there was one who always had her take care of him. She had planned on seeing his unruly silver coif standing in that door frame, yet she was met with an arrogant and somewhat condescending glare that could only belong to one person.

"Sasuke?"

As they walked down the street side by side, Sakura acted like she was listening to every narcissistic word the Uchiha was spouting, but inside, she was still reeling over that dream she had just been so brutally ripped away from. Actually, dream wasn't the right word, that would suggest what she was reliving never actually happened, but as a shiver ran down her spine and back up again, she knew all too well of the night those events had taken place.

She couldn't get them out of her head.

Try as she might to forget their last mission, the relief never came. Every night, and now even during the day, she was plagued with memories that she could not, and would not, let go of. It was a mission for the most disciplined kunoichi, and seeing how she lacked certain insights into that world, her old sensei was enlisted to help her get acclimated to the type of things they would need to do in order to get through their undercover assignment successfully.

Two nights of "lessons", three days of "work", and two days of travel, and they would both be back at home, carrying on with their lives as if nothing had ever happened. But for Sakura, it was easier said than done.

Those seven days had changed her life forever. How was she to act now?

The types of things she was introduced to, the way he had touched her, his intense rasping voice… it had changed her. She had explored the darker paths in life, her instructor guiding her each step of the way, reminding her of the mission at hand, and how they would need to act the part perfectly for fear of blowing their cover.

She knew it would be a difficult mission, she just wasn't counting on her emotions being as affected as they were. It was as if Kakashi had opened Pandora's Box, letting her catch a glimpse, and then stowed away the box as soon as her interest was piqued and she wanted more.

He was a torturous man, indeed.

"…so then I showed him, I taught that old man to never cross me again" Sasuke blabbered on. Sakura wasn't even trying to listen anymore, she was simply looking forward to a free meal that didn't come from the hospital vending machine.

Smiling and nodding as the Uchiha continued filling the air between them, Sakura looked around, taking in the warmth of the sunlight and the clean, fresh air. It was good to be out of that building during the day, she had almost forgotten what the sun felt like on her skin, being stuck inside those bright white walls every day for the last ten months was really making her feel like more of a vampire than a ninja… she really needed to get out more.

Looking around her, curious as to where she was being taken to, Sakura glanced around, eying each shop they passed, gazing into the display windows like a bored kid going shopping with their parent. Suddenly, she stopped completely, her feet freezing to the ground, as they walked by a certain lingerie boutique. She couldn't help gawking at the exquisite collection of garters and corsets, her emerald eyes wide as she recalled stepping foot into that very store so many months before… with him.

*FLASHBACK*

"Kakashi, I am NOT wearing that… that… whatchamacallit" Sakura spat defiantly, waving a pointed finger towards the shiny black "outfit" her ex-sensei was holding up.

"Oh, c'mon… you gotta try it on! I mean… we are going to be working at a fetish show, wearing a latex bodysuit is quite the norm."

"I know you're just trying to help, but if I'm going to go through with this, I at least want to be comfortable and pick out my own attire!" Sakura snapped at Kakashi, her arms folding defensively against her chest.

They had been there for five minutes and she was already uncomfortable. She knew she needed his help, but she didn't think Kakashi would be so… hands on about everything. Although, he did seem like he knew what he was talking about, much to her dismay. She knew Kakashi was fully versed in the subject, and that he held valuable insight to their mission, but just the thought of Kakashi having seen women in outfits like these set her on edge. Deep down she really just felt like he was poking fun at her and her inexperience in this realm.

"Well, Sakura… we aren't trying to sell comfort. Either way, you will be very uncomfortable" the older jonin whispered to her over her shoulder as he leaned forward, placing the body suit back on its rack. "And it's your job, as my instructor, to make sure that doesn't happen. So just shush, and I'll hurry and pick something out so we can leave already, okay?!"

"You're right, and that is exactly why I suggested the body suit. Look around, Sakura… everything else isn't quite as modest as the body suit. Just trying to help. I'll be over there when you're ready to show me what you've picked out. Remember, you're going to have to appear as a sex slave… so just think 'sexy,' okay?"

Narrowing her eyes, Sakura glared over her shoulder at Kakashi as he walked over to the sitting area outside the dressing room.

Modest? Trying to help? Remember to be 'sexy'? Really! Who did he think he was?!

Chuckling to herself, Sakura looked forward to the look on that old man's face when she walked out of the dressing room in this little black and red number. She could be sexy if she wanted to be, granted she had never tried anything like this to make her sexy, but she was a grown woman after all, she would find something so sexy he would have to eat those words of his. She would show him.

"Kakashi Hatake will never underestimate me again" she snarled behind her devious grin, picking up outfit after frustrating outfit until her arms could hold no more.

Smiling just as sweetly as she could, she walked passed the Hatake waiting smugly, a look of intrigue plastered on his face as he saw the pile of possibilities she hoarded into the nearest dressing room stall. Amusing himself with the random grunts and groans coming from behind the door, Kakashi made his way over to her, tapping lightly as he whispered through the slats in the door.

"Um… everything going well in there? Need any help?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. This damn corset thing is suffocating me and I need help putting it on right, I think" Sakura huffed, slipping on the matching heels that went with the red outfit.

Cracking the door just a bit to let Kakashi in to help, Sakura stood with her back to him, holding the confining material around her front.

"Here, I just need to lace you in, and then you should be set" the copy ninja assured her as he closed the door behind him and busied his hands with the laces, making sure to pull each loop through tightly. She needed to get used to the idea of confinement anyway.

"Dear… Kami… these things are tight! I can't breathe, let alone move!" Sakura gasped as Kakashi made quick work of lacing her into the garment.

"Well, that's the point, I'm afraid. It restricts one's movement, adding another level of discomfort to your powerlessness. See, pain and pleasure are merely two sides of the same coin, so when we encounter extreme pain or pleasure, we have the same bodily reaction to the source of stimulus, we immediately try to pull away from it. In the BDSM world, restraints are put in place to keep the body from this initial reaction, and the type of clothing can also be used to instill this... restriction" Kakashi explained, pulling the laces sharply to emphasize his last word.

"Now…" Kakashi patted her shoulder, "turn around and let us have a look."

Scanning her appearance with his skillful eye, Sakura tried her best to seem unfazed. Her pride still in check as she rested her fists on her hips, attempting to look powerful in her tight black and red outfit, equipped with a corset, frilly mini skirt, thigh high stockings, and six inch heels. Standing tall and confidently, she smirked as the Hatake still looked her up and down.

"Hm. Something's not right…" he mumbled, turning her around to face her reflection in the mirror.

Cocking his head to the side, Kakashi continued searching for the missing detail. He had to admit it, she looked great. Really great. The thigh highs being his favorite accessory yet, making her full, athletic thighs look so… appetizing.

Clearing his throat, not allowing his thoughts to continue, he returned to the reflection, squinting as if looking for something.

"Ah!" he exclaimed, pulling her hair tie out of her hair, letting her long pink tendrils fall around her face and cascade down her back.

"Oh… and your stance is completely off" he added nonchalantly, grabbing her wrists, pulling them behind her as he crept closer up against her.

"Look at your face, Sakura. You see how helpless you are now? Your bottom jaw hanging slightly open as you pant in excitement, your hasy half-lidded eyes…"

Sakura could barely understand what was going on. Kakashi was just speaking, his voice barely over a whisper, his touch firm as he pulled her arms further back, pulling them down until she was forced to kneel on the bench against the mirror. Falling forward on her knees, Kakashi lowered himself behind her as he stared at her reflection.

With their awkward closeness, both were silent as they felt the tension build between them. Sakura didn't know why his words affected her so much, but everything he said seemed to be driving her crazy. The feel of his hot breath on her bare shoulder, the fact that she was now kneeling before him, and the creaking of the corset she was wearing as it constricted around her torso in her contorted position, was sending her senses into overdrive.

"Just take the time to memorize this face of yours. It's this look, right here, that will lure him out. You are a strong kunoichi with immense strength and control, but this mission will test other strengths, for you will need to learn how to let go and accept the feeling of being completely powerless."

Taking a deep breath before he continued, Kakashi leaned even closer to the side of her face. "You're just going to have to trust me, and always follow my lead, understand? Just keep an open mind, and know that I will never purposefully put you in harms way, so there is nothing to be scared of, I am your team member, and I realize you will be going through a lot, but I am here to help, any way that I can, Sakura."

*END FLASHBACK*

"Heh. Never thought you were the type to wear stuff like that. See something you like?" Sasuke questioned sarcastically, knowing just how much of a prude Sakura could be.

"Umm… I do, actually" Sakura retorted, grabbing Sasuke's sleeve as she yanked him further down the street towards a restaurant she spotted.

It was bad enough that she saw him in her dreams, but each day Sakura found herself more and more surrounded by things that reminded her of a certain copy nin. The lingerie in the store reminded her of the intense dressing room session, no doubt another lesson of his, seeing as she immediately thought her sensei to be on a whole different level.

It was all his fault.

Because of Kakashi, every time she saw a dog being walked, she was reminded of the leash and collar lesson. Every time she passed someone beating out their rugs, she was reminded of her caning and whipping lessons. Hell, even watching her cop dramas on television were giving her hot flashes every time someone was thrown against a wall and handcuffed.

Damn you Hatake Kakashi… damn you!

"What's the hurry, Sakura-chan?" Sasuke prodded as they settled into their booth, looking around at all the other crowded tables.

"Hm? Oh, uh… I have to hurry and get back to work. I'm not on missions anymore, Tsunade-sama thought it would be best if I dedicated all my time to the hospital, so I'm on a strict schedule and can't afford to-"

"…fall asleep on the job?" Sasuke chortled as he filled in the blanks, not appreciating her attempt to get rid of him already.

"Well, yes, actually. I haven't been able to sleep well lately, and it's affecting my work. Needless to say, I'm on thin ice, and I can't exactly stay out for very lo-"

"Ok, ok Haruno… you win. Well since you have to scurry back, how about we meet tonight for a drink, I'll buy?"

Caught off guard by his sudden generosity, Sakura ignored the desperate way Sasuke was hitting her up for dates, and just went along with it, a free meal was a free meal and a free drinking tab was even better. She had become accustomed to enjoying the little things lately, so she really wouldn't inquire about her reservations. Wouldn't want to ruin a good thing with too many questions, because she did need a drink after the day she was having.

Nodding at his request, Sakura agreed as the two enjoyed what was left of her break. Throughout their meal, Sasuke continued to talk about himself and Naruto, recalling all of their antics at length, but Sakura was once again pulled back into her memories. She liked it there… he was there.

The promise of hopefully running into him at the bar tonight only made her more anxious to meet up with Sasuke, it was Friday night after all, and not that she knew for sure, but she had it on good authority that Kakashi would be back from his latest mission early that evening. So maybe, just maybe, she might run into him. One could only hope.

After Sasuke walked her back to the hospital, she waved him off as she ran back inside, throwing on her lab coat and booking it back up to her office before anyone noticed that she was almost half an hour late getting back.

The rest of the day was a blur as the fastidious medic nin completed all her work with a few minutes to spare. Initially she was going to the bar straight from work, it was on the way home after all. But as luck would have it, she had finished early, and raced home. Dying to take a shower and throw on something a little more… sexy. Just in case she did run into that man that haunted her dreams.

As she stepped through the crowded entryway to the bar, Sakura stood on her tip toes, her bright eyes peeping over the heads of those inside, eagerly searching the crowd for a shock of white, forgetting her rendezvous with Sasuke as soon as she spotted the silver locks at the far end of the bar. Eventually meandering her way through the throngs of people, mostly ninjas, Sakura felt her heart beat quicken the closer she got, her skin itching as if she couldn't get to him fast enough.

She hadn't seen him in a while, and now that she had him in her sight, there was no escaping for him now. She finally had enough, she would ask him tonight. She would gather her strength and ask him the question she held within herself since the day they promised to never speak of their mission again.

Kakashi with his stubborn resilience and constant need to be the good guy, had long since closed that chapter in question. Leaving Sakura to wallow in her thoughts, dealing with residual feelings and issues she hadn't planned on developing in the first place. In a matter of days they went from being acquaintances to close friends to master and slave, her body reacting immediately to his touch, regardless of what her brain was trying to make of it. Slowly, with every touch, her mind became responsive as well, almost sliding into character every time she laid her eyes upon that man, whom she was willing to bet her next paycheck to prove, had feelings for her as well. Sakura bit down on her lip as she remembered their last day performing, which was, in her opinion, the best and worst day they had endured.

Thinking back on it, she remembered the first two days of lessons being wake up calls. Becoming initiated in the house of light touches and body language would give the illusion of the proper level of intimate closeness they needed whilst performing. Then she was instructed on the various techniques they would be performing, and introduced to the new selection of toys at their disposal for each show. Her mind was a swirling mass of plugs, crops, and latex, but as soon as Kakashi put her through a demonstration, she found that the blindfold actually helped her focus on the sound of his voice, letting her body do the rest.

Both were oddly impressed at how much easier their mission would be now that they had overshadowed the awkwardness with their agreement to not feel bad about enjoying their play time. After all, their shows did not include them actually having sex, and if they could both just enjoy a good lashing or spanking, what was the harm in two adults sharing a new found appreciation for an interesting activity?

Although Kakashi would never admit it, Sakura knew the first time she heard the crack of the paddle on her ass, his heated growl betraying how much he actually liked his new role. She was initially a little reticent to jump up and beg for more, but she found his methods somewhat… cathartic, a stress release of epic proportions. So by the time their first night rolled around, and the curtains opened, exposing them to the mass of people crowding around for the next show, Sakura followed her orders, and jumped in after Kakashi, trusting him fully and never looking back.

His warm hands caressing her, soothing her singing skin between lashings. His dark voice guiding her as she was blindfolded, following every command like the obedient submissive he had taught her to be. She resigned her mind to her body, as she let herself react to Kakashi's diligent digits. The louder she screamed, the more attention they got, bringing more people over to their stage as the copy nin scanned the crowds for their target.

It was that third and final night that Sakura despised so much. They knew time was running out, and the stress from their week was finally pushing their limits. They bad been teetering this line between comrades and lovers, and slowly their resistance to each other was crumbling. Their last night, Sakura felt his hands linger in untouched places, his touch more comforting after each strike. Eventually she found herself moaning quite erotically, when the Hatake bit along her neck in an aggressive display, his patience obviously being tried as well. Both on edge, both hoping to coax their target from the shadows they knew he was watching from.

She would never forget how Kakashi pulled her over his knees, his hand slapping her bare ass harshly, making her cry out as he began to grasp at her backside, his fingers digging into her skin. Feeling him become more and more carried away, Sakura tried to whimper in a tortured tone, as if it would pull him back into focus, but her voice only proved to goad him on. And before she could muster up any disapproval, she felt his fingers graze over the swollen bundle of nerves before two fingers slid into her with ease. As Kakashi pumped his prodding fingers into her, Sakura cried out loudly, feeling all her stress melt away. He had finally touched her…there.

All week they had managed toying with each other's borders, knowing that a sexual relationship between comrades, let alone a former teacher, was highly frowned upon. But just as Sakura felt herself about to fall over the edge, her climax approaching rapidly, his hand was torn away from her as Kakashi spotted their target.

Game over.

Everything happened so quickly, and before she knew it, she found herself abandoned on the stage still handcuffed and blindfolded. At the sounds of their scuffle, Sakura used her chakra to break free of the handcuffs and ripped the blindfold from her face. This was her cue. She had to be ready.

Giving her eyes a moment to adjust, they quickly fell upon the flurry of movement in the newly formed void in the middle of the crowd. Sakura sprang into action, lunging into the crowd, adamant to help her partner who was giving this guy a run for his money. True, this guy was no shinobi, so he took a few punches from the copy nin before he decided to run. No matter, her fist cracked the ground, rippling the floor beneath the man's feet, tripping him. While he tried to pick himself up, Kakashi moved in, securing his arms behind his back, signaling his partner to call for ANBU to come pick up their new prisoner.

She would never forget the look in his eyes, as their gazes met at that moment. Initially it seemed that he was relieved, but as his crinkled-eye smile faded, there was an odd flash of dissatisfaction, his eyes growing heavy as he hung his head, sighing.

For the months to follow, she would lay in bed at night, trying to dissect that very look. She often wondered if she had the same look on her face as she was relieved that their hard work had lured that creep out, but when she realized that they would never work together again, let alone continue seeing each other after being so close, Sakura could actual feel her chest squeeze in disappointment. She wasn't ready to be without him and his touch…in just the few days they had stayed together, she had grown accustomed to his presence.

Now she carried on her life the best she could… never fully shaking the feeling that a part of her was incomplete without him. She was amazed at how much she struggled to regain her initial lust for life now that she had no excuse for seeing the copy nin, unless he was injured. He invaded her thoughts constantly, she just couldn't stand it any longer, she needed to know, and as she made her way through the crowd around the bar, she inhaled deeply, mustering her strength before she made herself known.

"Kakashi!" Sakura beamed, sitting down beside the silver haired jonin seated at the bar and ordering herself a drink.

"Yo" Kakashi sighed, folding his beloved Icha Icha and placing the literotica down on the bar in front of him.

"Haven't seen you around much these days. Missions keeping you busy?" Sakura questioned whilst sipping on her beer.

"You know they are" he droned, "I was actually in your neck of the woods today, and dropped by your office, but they said you were out to lunch with…Sasuke? Recent development?"

Clicking her tongue, Sakura shook her head, looking away from the older ninja. Pausing a moment, she found herself chugging the rest of his beer as she contemplated a way to respond.

"It's not that I don't like the guy, I just think he's choosing to settle for me…he doesn't seem to be actually interested in me at all. He's rather despondent" she confessed. Turning her head to face him all of a sudden, realization dawning on her "And why did you just happen to be in my 'neck of the woods' anyway?! Are you hurt?!" Sakura blurted, her eyes wide and mouth parted as if in a panic.

Holding his right hand up, Kakashi wiggled his fingers slightly, revealing two small white bandages wrapped around his index finger.

"Awe, did someone get a boo-boo?" Sakura teased as she tried her best to hold back her snickering.

"That hurts, Sakura-chan. It really does. Stitches are quite painful, you know" Kakashi chided, feigning hurt.

"Oh, but I thought you liked the pain?" Sakura purred beneath a devious grin, the words slipping from her mouth laced with intent.

"I thought we agreed that would be our little secret?" Kakashi warned, shifting in his seat, suddenly uncomfortable under her glare and the direction this conversation was heading.

"Don't worry" she mused, "I haven't told a soul. And what are you so worried about anyway, you were just doing your job…and a fine job at that."

"Sakura…"

"What?! Can't I be forward? Seriously Kakashi, you need to loosen up. We're both adults."

Kakashi silently signaled the bartender for two more beers, seeing how she helped herself to the rest of his. He didn't really mind that as much as her close proximity. She was leaning awfully close, so close he could smell her freshly showered skin, even through the fabric of his mask. What was she up to?

"Here" Kakashi offered placidly, sliding Sakura her own drink.

Frowning, she begrudgingly accepted, taking a rather large sip. Sakura found herself more annoyed, rather than amused by his stone cold demeanor. It almost seemed as if Kakashi had shut himself down completely. He was no longer the fun loving and carefree sensei she had once known. These days, Kakashi was constantly assigned away missions, and Sakura almost never saw him, unless you counted the times she had to patch him up at the hospital. Even then, their exchange was too brief to count as any sort of interaction.

In actuality, the last time she had known him to be his usual self was before their last mission. If only the mission hadn't lead them both reluctantly down a dark and shameless path of sordid affairs, maybe then Kakashi would still be acting like himself. Sakura would never admit it, but she really did enjoy the time they spent training. As torturous as it may have been initially, she would never regret any of the decisions they made during that time, and ever since, she had found life less than enthralling…

Especially since Kakashi kept himself conveniently occupied and out of sight.