A/N: Surprise! I couldn't resist taking a break from my other work to participate in SasuSaku Month 2020. I had a blast with this. Prompt: Let's play pretend. Enjoy!

Summary: Kakashi Hatake, Sixth Hokage and the mastermind behind the infamous bell test, had just the trick for igniting the inevitable romantic spark between his beloved students: assign Sakura a seduction mission. Blank period. SasuSaku.

The Art of Seduction

"Hey – what's that?"

"What's what?"

One sunny afternoon, amidst Sasuke and Sakura's private travels, while Sakura was rinsing her tired feet and Sasuke was sharpening their weapons after weeks of climbing mountains and hiking through forests, the duo was unexpectedly interrupted.

"That! Flying straight at us!" Sakura shouted and leaping clear out of the rushing brook, over the rocky shore, and onto the surrounding grass.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow and glanced in the direction of the disturbance.

"A bird," he said simply without budging from his shady spot at the foot of a large oak tree.

Sakura rolled her eyes before breaking out into a grin. "Not just any bird – it's the Hokage's messenger hawk!"

This piqued Sasuke's interest. It had been months since the pair had heard a peep from their home village, after all.

As it happened, the bird was carrying a scroll addressed to Sakura.

"What does Kakashi want?" Sasuke asked, while hopping to his feet and joining his companion by the brook. Sakura was crouched by the rocky shore, eagerly unravelling the scroll.

Sasuke watched her closely– taking in the emotion brimming behind her emerald eyes and her trembling fingers.

She misses home, Sasuke thought, his chest tightening. Though he didn't blame her, Sasuke just hoped she didn't miss home too much.

He didn't express it much, but Sasuke thoroughly enjoyed his lively travelling companion's company. And he really didn't want her to leave.

Then, as quickly as it appeared, the hopefulness drained from Sakura's face as she scanned the letter. She pouted and scrunched her eyebrows together (a rather adorable expression, in Sasuke's opinion, all things considered).

"What, Sakura?" he asked and drawing closer, crouching beside her, and hoping beyond hope this wasn't bad news.

"It's… a mission assignment."

There was confusion written all over her features. Sasuke didn't blame her.

"But you're with me. We're already on a mission," he mused while reaching for the scroll to have a look himself, but, to his surprise, Sakura tugged the scroll out of his reach, colour rising in her face.

Sasuke blinked. "Sakura..?"

She twisted away from him, her face buried in the scroll and her cheeks a similar hue as her pale, pink hair. "It's assigned just to me. And it's a… weird one," she said quietly, like she couldn't believe what she was reading.

"What's the mission?" Sasuke asked, dread pooling in his stomach.

"A seduction mission."

Sakura paced back and forth through the grassy clearing in bare feet, hands clasped behind her back, and feeling stressed out of her mind. Sakura had never been assigned a seduction mission before. She had most certainly fantasized about doing one, back in her early teenage days, as most young kunoichi did. Because there had been a certain thrill in using her sex appeal as a weapon against an unsuspecting opponent. It was the perfect blindside.

But these times were different.

Nowadays, Sakura would much rather spend her time exploring the land with her beloved travelling partner than seduce strangers. And, to boot, Sakura had never been particularly confident in her ability to sway someone romantically (with her ever-so-distant object of affection compounding her self-doubts).

Sasuke's reaction to her mission had been rather hard to read. He seemed puzzled as he read the letter over a couple of times himself. "Do you do these often?" he asked with raised eyebrows, his voice catching ever so slightly.

"No, never," she groaned and crossing her arms.

This is going to be terrible, she thought. Failing to make a move on the love of her life even once during their months travelling alone together told her as much. Although she and Sasuke had undoubtedly grown closer and were teetering on the edge of being in a relationship – between their heated looks and gentle touches – nothing outwardly romantic had actually transpired between them.

And now Sakura was expected to leave to seduce someone else?

Some wing man you are, Kakashi-sensei.

"Then why'd he assign you?" Sasuke wondered with narrowed eyes while pocketing the scroll.

Sakura shrugged. "Well, we're only a few miles away from the village that the… target is currently in. I bet Kakashi-sensei has been tracking our whereabouts and picked me because of proximity. Plus the target isn't staying there much longer so I'll need to set out first thing tomorrow."

According to the mission assignment, the target in question was an important Wind Country delegate who (rumour had it) was involved in a human trafficking scheme. Apparently he was known as being a bit of a ladies man – thus, Sakura presumed, seduction tactics were a straight-forward means of extracting information from him.

"Hm," Sasuke said.

"But I don't know the first thing about seducing someone!" Sakura fumed, hands on her hips as she resumed her pacing. "Kakashi-sensei screwed up. It's gonna be a total flop."

Sasuke was quiet for a moment. "I'm sure you'll figure it out," he said before returning to the shade of the tree and resuming his task of sharpening their weapons.

Sakura watched as he ran a hand through his black, mused hair and grabbed a kunai and ran the blade along the sharpening stone with determined, aggressive motions. His expression was impassive, with his dark eyes focused on the task and his mouth frowning in concentration.

Sakura turned away, as not to be caught ogling at her handsome companion.

But that was when she was struck with an idea. An embarrassing, yet intriguing idea.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun?" she asked, feeling her face warm in anticipation.

He glanced at her. "What?"

She returned his gaze. "How do you do it?" Sakura asked bravely. "You know, women practically faint in your presence. How do you get their attentions so easily?"

Sakura figured he was a neutral party on the matter, and she was willing to follow any advice she could get her hands on. After all, she could personally attest to the effect her travelling companion had on women, so surely he had some advice.

Sasuke redirected his stare to something on the ground. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sakura rolled her eyes and joined him beneath the tree. "Oh sure you don't," she teased. She plopped down right in front of him. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help but smirk because Sasuke looked about as uneasy as she felt, his face tinted pink and his eyebrow twitching as he tried to avoid looking at her. "C'mon. What's your secret?"

He looked up and there was something almost pleading in his dark eyes. "Sakura, believe me. I have no clue what I'm doing," he said. He held her gaze and Sakura's heart skipped a beat for some reason. But she ignored it.

She pouted. Maybe he's right – he's just so effortlessly attractive that he doesn't even have to try.

Sakura felt a dip in her confidence as she was reminded that the two of them weren't in the same leagues.

But she needed to try anyways.

"Fine," she huffed. "But I need your help because I don't know what I'm doing either and I need to complete this mission. And you're the only person I have to consult."

Sasuke eyed her apprehensively as she resumed her pacing.

Meanwhile, Sakura's mind wandered. What on earth was she to wear for this mission? She only had training gear with her and she certainly didn't have any make-up on hand. With such a tight schedule, a shopping trip was out of the question. Should she just wear her undergarments – her spandex shorts and black band around her chest?

I'll feel uncomfortable wearing something that revealing, Sakura thought, her heartrate quickening. Did she really have to change her appearance that much, or was it more about her demeanor – how she moved and how her voice sounded, or whatever?

Ugh, I'm so confused!

Sakura gritted her teeth and stopped her pacing. Abruptly, she turned to face Sasuke square on. He was sipping from a water canteen, watching her curiously. "You're a guy," she pointed out. "Let's pretend you're my target. What would seduce you?"

Sasuke swallowed a mouthful of water with a profound gulp.

He blinked at her after that, eyebrow twitching again. He opened his mouth and closed it, faltering.

Sakura realized perhaps her question was too loaded. Let's back it up, then. "How about – what are you attracted to in a woman? Let's start with that."

She watched him expectedly.

Sasuke seemed particularly fascinated by a knife he was sharpening when he said, "Um. Strength."

"Strength," Sakura repeated, a bit flatly. Really?

"And intelligence," Sasuke added, his head tilted down and his eyes concealed from view behind his hair.

The knife he was sharpening really couldn't get any sharper.

Sakura folded her arms and reflected on Sasuke's comments. I wonder if he thinks I'm strong and smart enough to be attractive? Despite her generally low self-esteem, Sakura was fairly confident that she excelled in both of those areas, especially now.

She felt the tiniest tinge of hope. If that's what he's into, maybe I've got a shot?

But that was besides the point. She had a mission to focus on.

Did other men look for strength and intelligence in women? She wasn't sure. Either way, it would be hard to show off those qualities to her target, unless she challenged him to an arm wrestling contest or a game of cards.

Sakura suspected there were more straight-forward ways to seduce a stranger.

She sighed. "This would be so much easier if I were talking to Naruto," she groaned while leaning against a protruding rock between the brook and the tree. Sakura had a feeling that said Hokage-in-the-making had an arsenal of strategies for seducing men – given his experience using those very strategies in the guise of his Sexy Jutsu.

Sasuke turned to her, a trace of competitiveness in his eyes, before he seemed to remember what they were talking about and turned away.

It seemed he was willing to accept defeat from his rival on this particular matter.

"Okay, how about looks? You must have thoughts about looks, at least?" Sakura tried.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What are you asking?"

She felt her heartrate quicken again, for some reason. "I mean, what do you find seductive about a woman's appearance?" she clarified.

I can't believe we're having this conversation.

As anticipated, Sasuke looked dumbfounded by her question. But he at least seemed to be thinking about it, given his thoughtful stare into the distance with his eyebrows furrowed.

It was kind of him to play along and try to help – despite his clear discomfort. Sakura felt a stab of empathy and decided to ask what she felt was an easier question.

Thinking back to their Genin days, and Ino's insistence that Sasuke preferred certain hairstyles on girls, Sakura asked, "For instance – should I change my hair?"

There wasn't much she could do about its length or colour – unless she got her hands on a wig, somehow. But maybe she could style it differently, by tying it up or braiding it?

"No," Sasuke replied curtly.

"Okay… what about make-up?"

Sasuke shook his head before getting up with the water canteen in hand. "No. You're fine," he said, and making his way towards the brook.

Sakura looked up, her heart fluttering slightly because maybe that meant he liked the way she looked.

Or maybe he was just trying to end the conversation.

Sasuke crouched on the rocky shore of the brook, dipping the canteen beneath its surface for a top-up.

Sakura's eyes roamed skyward to the tuffs of clouds, her mind running astray. She didn't mean to torment Sasuke with this awkward conversation, but she really did need all the help she could get. She imagined herself entering a darkened pub to execute her mission. She just had to pull this off, somehow, because if her enemies caught onto her, it could turn into a dangerous situation – not for her personally, for surely she could pummel her enemy if she needed to, but there could be larger international strain if she was caught spying.

Sakura closed her eyes as she imagined approaching her target at the bar. She would introduce herself, start some small talk… and then…?

"Maybe I should touch him… suggestively. But not too inappropriately, you know?" she mused.

"No, I have no clue what you mean," Sasuke chimed in. He was now sitting on the shore with his shoes discarded and pants rolled up, his feet resting in the cool, rushing stream as he replenished their supply of drinking water.

Sakura carried on. "You know – like running my fingers along his hands, caressing his face, or something. Maybe that would work?"

Once again, Sasuke seemed very fixated on his task. "Maybe," he said.

But Sakura wasn't really paying attention to him. She was in her own world now, talking through a scenario she was playing out in her head.

She imagined Tsunade or Ino – two of the most sought-after woman that Sakura knew – walking into a bar and harnessing the attention of most men they passed.

What was their secret?

"I know – maybe it's just a confidence thing," Sakura realized. "Maybe it's more about how I say things."

She stood up with vigour, facing the general direction of the tree, paced forward deliberately, swaying her hips and imagining that her target was before her. She ran a hand through her hair in a way she imagined must be at least somewhat attractive, and said, "Like what if I walk right up and whisper in his ear –" (Sakura cleared her throat and tried out a low and husky tone) "- I want you. You want me. Let's get naked. And… And…"

Sakura faltered. I can't do it, she thought while dropping to her knees.

Then she remembered her silent audience and peered in Sasuke's direction nervously. To her horror, he was indeed watching her, his eyes wide and his lips pursed – like he was supressing a smirk.

He thinks I'm ridiculous. Sakura put her face in her hands. "I'm sorry. This is embarrassing. I'm so bad at this."

Sasuke shook his head and stood up, capping the water canteen.

"I'm such a lost cause," Sakura continued. "I don't even have a nice outfit to wear." She fiddled with the zipper at the front of her dress absent-mindedly. "But maybe if I just remove my training clothes slowly enough, it'll distract him from the stupid things I'm saying. Then I'll just have to hope that –"

Sakura was interrupted by Sasuke grabbing her wrist, squeezing just hard enough to force her to release the zipper.

She turned to him, startled. "Sasuke-kun?"

He looked a little conflicted – perhaps over being amused and angry – and there was a bit of colour on his face again. Upon closer inspection, it looked like a blood vessel was about to burst in his temple. "That might work," he said. "Don't do it." He gave her a pointed look and stalked back towards the tree.

"Well, what am I supposed to do then?" Sakura asked his retreating figure, feeling more confused than ever.

"You'll do fine, Sakura," Sasuke mumbled with a dismissive air.

Sakura folded her arms and watched him pace away, not quite sure what to make of his comment.

She sighed again and muttered, "I wish I could just kick the guy's ass."

Sakura woke abruptly to the sounds of scuffling and snapping twigs.

Wasting no time, she grabbed a kunai from her weapon pouch and sprang to her feet in one fluid motion.

Damn it, Sakura thought. She was planning to set out for the seduction mission today – and how untimely it would be to get ambushed now.

That was when she realized that Sasuke, who had fallen asleep beside her under the looming oak tree, was missing.

Sakura felt a swell of panic as her eyes darted around. And then she heard more scuffling, and this time, a male voice yelling (though muffled slightly) from somewhere through the trees ahead.

Sakura inhaled sharply and raced through the trees, knife in hand, towards the source of the disturbance. And then, moments later, Sakura arrived on a perplexing scene.

"Sasuke-kun?" she asked and slowly lowering her knife.

Her travelling companion was standing there, wearing his usual black travelling cloak, with his back facing her. Evidently, he was just fine.

It was the man bound to the tree who didn't look fine.

Sasuke turned towards her. He seemed a little surprised by her presence. "Good morning," he said evenly.

"Good… what the heck is going on?!" Sakura exclaimed as she approached the pair of them, studying the bound man carefully. She didn't recognize the guy whatsoever. But Sasuke wasn't the type of person to capture strangers for no reason, so surely he had an explanation for this. "I've got a mission to complete today, so this had better be important!"

Sasuke turned to her, his expression calm. "There's no need for you to go anywhere – this is your guy," he said simply, and gesturing towards the bound man like he was presenting a gift.

Sakura's jaw dropped. "So… you're telling me that you abducted the man I was supposed to seduce?" Sakura asked and massaging her temples, the puzzle pieces coming together. She felt a tinge of relief come over her because normal interrogations were much more up her alley than seduction missions.

But something still didn't add up. "Why?" she asked.

The man bound to the tree nodded stiffly and mumbled against his mouth restraints – apparently just as keen to find out what Sasuke was planning. He had a long, straight nose, grey streaks through his black hair, and expensive-looking pyjamas.

Yep, looks like an important delegate to me, Sakura thought.

Sasuke folded his arms, closed his eyes, and turned away slightly. "I knew you were stressed about the mission so I helped," he explained. "I figure you can just ask him your questions here and I'll wipe his memory with my Sharingan when you're finished."

He didn't seem terribly concerned that the target could hear all of his.

Sakura frowned. Sure, it was nice of Sasuke to lend a hand, but Sakura found herself feeling angry. "So you didn't think I was capable of doing the mission so you decided to intervene," she snapped, rounding on him.

Sasuke turned to face her fully, eyes wide. "No, you're capable.."

Sakura raised her eyebrows. "So you just didn't want me to go on the mission." Boldly, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No, I didn't," he finally admitted. And then, yet another surprise, Sasuke brought a hand to Sakura's face, tracing her temple, cheek bone, and jaw with the tips of his fingers.

That's a caress to the face if I ever saw one! she thought as a shiver raced down her spine. She was unable to look away. "Because you don't want me seducing men," she added with a smirk while she gazed at Sasuke's face. Her heart was in her throat for being this close to him.

Sasuke's fingers paused around her chin. His face was very close to hers now. "Because I don't want you seducing other men," he corrected quietly.

Sakura stared at him, processing the implications of his words as her face grew hot, and he leaned in closer. His nose was mere inches from hers, his breath warm on her face. Sakura's eyes fluttered closed.

It's happening! It's finally happening!

"Ahem."

Sakura startled and jumped about ten feet away from Sasuke. Enraged, she whirled in the direction of the disturbance and found that their captive, still tied to the tree, had chewed through his mouth binds and was glaring at them.

"Not that this isn't fun, but if it's not too late to change plans, I much prefer the one where this girl seduces me."

Sakura rolled her eyes, her face still burning, as she smoothed out her hair.

That's when she heard a familiar chirping sound. A sideways glance confirmed the Chidori in Sasuke's palm. But even more menacing was the glare he was directing at their target.

"Sasuke-kun – wait! Just let me interrogate him first, okay? Then we can get back to… where we left off?"

Sasuke shot her a calculating look, eyes narrowed. He swallowed. It seemed he was quite torn between doing as Sakura asked or immediately murdering the guy tied to the tree. But in the end he caved, sitting on the ground with a humph, waiting impatiently for Sakura to finish her questioning.

Sakura hoped Kakashi wouldn't be too disappointed that she'd failed to follow the instructions for the mission.

Then again, another part of her wondered if maybe, just maybe, this was the outcome Kakashi planned for all along.